(24 Nov 2013, 3:28 pm)Tom wrote I was travelling around on the X3/X36 yesterday, and realized the X3 shouldn't be withdrawn at all. The X3 came into Newcastle with a reasonable load, and left with me and about 10 passengers. Then a few people got on at Gateshead/Heworth. Then there was a few people that got on at Boldon ASDA, but after there the bus had a full standing load. There was quite a few fare payers too! However, it did leave Park Lane with only 1 passenger.
On the other hand, the X36 was fairly quiet. I boarded at Park Lane and there was only 4 or 5 other passenger on, and no-one got on at Fawcett Street. However loads got on around Southwick/Downhill, but mainly for local journeys. Then it was only me on from Heworth to Gateshead.
Well I think we've discussed this before that its just a bit of marketing and cleaver wording that the X36 has 'Proved Popular with passengers' it hasn't been as popular as the X3 never mind more popular. The idea of increasing the X36 is all about killing two birds with one stone;
A) Maintain the local links around Witherwack/Downhill to Sunderland City Centre
B) Passengers wanting a Sunderland-Newcastle Express.
Also it creates a USP for the local passengers of connections to Newcastle for Christmas Shopping, Heworth Metro & Boldon Asda which they'll hope will compete against Stagecoach.
It also can help GNE's Buzzfare sales those in Fulwell & East Boldon will be forced to buy a single to Boldon Asda/Sunderland Interchange and then a single to Heworth/Gateshead/Newcastle and the cheaper option than two Singles will likely be a Purple & Red Buzzfare assuming they are returning.
Meanwhile the changes to the 9 mean they have frequent single service along Jarrow-Boldon-Fulwell-Sunderland, also those who travel on the 26 to Jarrow from Sunderland North will have to go via Sunderland Interchange or Boldon, which again could push up Buzzfare sales.