(23 Dec 2017, 10:57 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote I gather the last southbound carried 6 in total, with 1 remaining into Stockton from Billingham.

(24 Dec 2017, 10:14 am)Dan wrote The 14:30 trip southbound carried 5 people in total, myself included. It picked up nobody at Dalton Park (the Go North East X6 which followed immediately after the X55 picked up all intending passengers to Hartlepool).

I was the first to alight at ASDA in Hartlepool, so I'm unsure where the others got off (whether it was Victoria Road in Hartlepool, or they travelled onwards towards Greatham).

It's always a pity when services are withdrawn when they don't work out, but I still can't help but feel that this one was always destined to fail. It had a lot of potential, but a seemingly poor execution? A Saturday-only service, with just a few trips in either direction at odd times... A streamlined timetable with cheaper fares and faster journey times than the X10 between Stockton, Dalton Park and Newcastle, would have definitely been interesting...

Obviously stood no chance against the Go North East X10 when this was finally re-routed to serve Dalton Park - something which had been on the cards for a very long time - offering a streamlined timetable which was easy to understand.

Does anyone know what's going to happen with the coach now? Back to UK disposals?

Having fortunately finished work early on Saturday, I was able to make it into Stockton to witness the last departure from the town. Having work on the Sunday morning, I just had a quick trip from Stockton to Billingham - the driver being an acquaintance of many of us Teesside enthusiasts. There was only myself until Norton when an older couple boarded bound for Hartlepool.
Stagecoach on Teesside 54045 (SF57 DRV) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

Having travelled back on the service a few Saturdays ago, the Driver that day hinted his annoyance at the withdrawal of the service as well as the decision to duplicate the 36 between Hartlepool Marina and Greatham.

As for 54045's future, on Sunday morning it was parked nose into the fence in the 'Dead' row nearest to Flowers. Longer term, I don't think anyone knows 100% - there have been rumours from the two X55 lads that it might be staying at Stockton for another attempt at a Saturday shopper service, except this time heading south from Teesside