(04 Jan 2016, 3:30 pm)Malarkey wrote X35 - Sunderland - Doxford International - A19 - Peterlee - Hordon - Blackhall - Hartlepool
Operating Every 30 Minutes, Offering a faster journey time than at present along with cutting approximately 40 Minutes out of the Timetable.
**New Service**
207 - Rainton Bridge - Houghton le Spring - Hetton le Hole - Easington Lane - Easington Village - Peterlee
Extension of the short 208, also covering loss of Service X35 between Peterlee & Houghton le Spring, also operating in place of Service 923 which would be Withdrawn at Peak Times only, Operating Every 30 Minutes.
**New Service**
7 - Washington Galleries - Harraton - Rickleton - Barley Mow Estate - Birtley - Ouston - Pelton - Beamish - Stanley
Operating Every 30 Minutes
**New Service**
X2 - Sunderland - Royal Hospital - Grindon - Hastings Hill - Penshaw - Shiney Row - Washington Galleries - Springwell - Wrekenton - Q.E. Hospital - Gateshead - Newcastle
Operating Every 30 Minutes
**New Service**
4A/4B - Brady Square (4A)/Barmston Court (4B) - Biddick (4A) - Washington Village/Glebe (4B) - Washington Galleries - Oxclose - Blackfell - Concord - Barmston - Biddick - Washington Galleries - Lambton - Ayton - Harraton - Fatfield - Shiney Row - Bournmoor - Houghton le Spring
Every 15 Minutes replacing Services 82/85 & 86, New Service 7 covers remainder of Service 82 from Washington Galleries to Birtley.
I know others have commented on this, but thought I would give my thoughts.
The link between Houghton and Doxford Park is important I feel - but I think the loss of the service between the two, down to the diversion of the X35, could be countered with a diversion of the 38. It should be doable with a diversion onto the A690 at Stoneygate = meaning it misses the Herrington Burn section.
To maintain the half hourly connection, I wonder if an extra MPD could be dropped in, so the service operates as follows:
Sunderland - Ryhope - Dox Park - Newbottle - Houghton - Rainton Bridge - Houghton - Newbottle - Dox Park and return to Rainton Bridge, before heading back on the full route.
The X35 could call in to Dalton Park when it is at it.
I haven't seen the plans for the junction improvement works, but hopefully it assists traffic and encourages more buses into the place (from other locations not served currently!)
Not sure about your 4's. Does the demand exist to have this service in addition to the current 4? Penshaw (Station Lane especially) can be chocker with buses stuck amongst the parked cars.
If it did, I would merge the 4a and b onto your 207 idea.