I'm doubtful the X24 will ever justify new buses, really.
My experiences of the X24 is always that 80% of the passengers are made up by concessions, and a fair proportion of the remaining passengers are made up of Network One pass use. Very few fare-paying passengers.
Reliability remains pitiful. I'm on 24003 at the moment - it went into limp mode and then cut out. Driver can't get it started. Now awaiting a vehicle changeover on Felling Bypass.
Sent from my SM-G935F using Tapatalk
Stagecoach North East: Rare & Odd Workings - October 2017