(28 Dec 2015, 6:43 pm)GX03 SVC wrote
Why can't it just run all year...?
From GNE or Arriva? Not going to go into detail on here as it's GNE's forum but basically the reason why the X21 has a detour via Ridge Terrace and Nedderton for is because if the X22 hadn't have been rerouted south of Bedlington through the Hartlands (another profitable area on the old X21 / X31 / X32 routes), then Arriva would've still been flogging a dead horse with run down (but very trustworthy) Palatines.
Although the 10 minute frequency at both Ashington and Newcastle / Gosforth ends of the X21 / X22 (and the 5/15 gaps at the Red Lion) also slightly help, the main reason for the change was to assist the less profitable section of the X22 between Ashington and Bedlington by adding a more profitable section south of Bedlington. The X21 and it's former guises have always between profitable thanks to the lucrative part of the route between Newbiggin and Bedlington particularly between Ashington and Bedlington and therefore, the X21 was rerouted through the less profitable Red House Farm / Nedderton areas to pave way allowing the X22 to become a more profitable service.