(07 Jun 2017, 5:29 am)LeeCalder wrote Well said, exactly what I was thinking. The way it is at the moment is as reliable as it has been since the W2 days, when it was spot on! Why change it?
I agree the Washington services were much better when they were W1-W6 as the routes and reliability were always very good. I think the problems started when they extended the route to Birtley and Heworth. Using Birtley as a terminus point is always going to be difficult as there is nowhere for buses to turn round and go back the same route they came. It would be better if bus services from Chester le Street to Washington served Birtley just like the old 551 did. I also think it was better when the old W1 served Washington Village on an evening instead of the current 86. There were often a few people who would use the bus to go to from the likes of Barmston to the Village for a drink on a Friday and Saturday night. I think it would be good if this link was reinstated.