(24 Nov 2013, 9:41 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Really there wouldn't be a change to the 2A/2C as the proposed Xpress would fill the void Every 30 Minutes, so that there would still be an Every 10 Minute Service between Sunderland and Washington, but would provide a Faster Link with it being a Limited Stopping Service and as a Silver Arrows passenger myself I don't think the 2A/2C really need to be Every 20 Minutes each.
As for the 8 it follows the 2A/2C to Pennywell before going onto the Motorway to Waterview Park and onto the Galleries. Would it not be better to have it follow the 73 Route into Sunderland after Waterview Park, So then you could have 2 Xpress Services operating to Washington on both sides of the River like the old X2/X4 used to.
Those living in an area where this proposed 'express' service did not stop would be without the level of service they have at present, and that wouldn't be cause to complain?
If I recall correctly, the express service which previously operated did indeed stop at my local stop, but I think it would be a tad unfair to those living in Penshaw, Shiney Row, and other areas where the "Silver Arrows" 2A/2C currently serve.
As there is only a few minutes difference between the "Lime" 8 and the "Silver Arrows" 2A/2C, I think I'd prefer to have the network as it is at present. It really does not affect me having to 'hop off' at The Galleries for a connection to "Red Arrows" service X1 (if travelling to Newcastle) or "Connections 4" service 4 (if travelling to Heworth), as they are both so frequent. With 8 buses per hour from Sunderland to Washington, I hardly have any reason to complain when connecting at Washington with 6 buses per hour (or more, if you include services M2/M3 to Heworth).
While I admit that it does affect those who would prefer to buy a return from Sunderland all the way to Newcastle, wouldn't they be using the X3/X36 anyway?
I really don't see many advantages at all.