(26 May 2016, 8:42 pm)Tom wrote Is a single not £4.80 or something between Sunderland and Newcastle too? Strange that if they want to compete with the metro they are charging ridiculous prices and as people said they seem to be providing no competition for Stagecoach/the metro.
I've got no idea how much a single is between Sunderland and Newcastle.
To be honest, I don't think any bus operator can compete with the Metro between the two.
From Sunderland City Centre, the 56 and X36 (in my opinion), provide local links. It is only when you get further afield and away from the Metro, that the bus becomes an interesting option - but it is up to the operators to make it attractive. They may attract some with frequency, wifi and plugs, but the ultimate decider will be price. Particularly around Boldon, where car ownership in the ever expanding private estates will be high.