(30 May 2016, 1:38 pm)MurdnunoC wrote Just to add to the point Northern 156 has made:
Whenever I've past the 689 it only ever seems to be carrying a handful of people. Aside from enthusiasts, it's unlikely to be carrying passengers point to point. I've noticed passengers boarding/alighting at both Slaley and Slaley Hall which is probably where the service receives most of its regular patronage. By diverting the service away from the area and into areas covered by other services (Consett-Castleside; Riding Mill-Hexham), you are potentially depriving passengers of a service they might rely upon.
When I've done the first 689 journey between Consett and Hexham most of the passengers have actually boarded at Consett Bus Station, Blackhall and Shotley Bridge with a few passengers boarding in Slaley, have seen some get on/off in Wittonstall Village as well plus a few other places, after Shotley Bridge I think this is the only service that operates in these areas until you get towards Hexham, Wittonstall additionally gets the 613 operated by PCL Travel on Tuesday's only, but basically I have to agree with the points you and Sean have made, it probably wouldn't be worth changing it to an express service, especially as there isn't many passengers to begin with, removing the villages in-between would likely to lower the numbers further still and leave some villages cut off or have a poorer level of service.