(27 Jan 2018, 8:56 am)Pulsar wrote I think Arriva are doing quite a good job with the X7 and X8 despite roadworks. Extra buses have been added to the cycle so some peak journeys are given 22 minutes layover at the Haymarket (eg the 17:07 X8 comes from the 16:45 X7 arrival). I dont think extending running time on these routes is a good option because on many days, especially Friday the traffic at Longbenton is not bad so the bus has to wait time at Quorum. Adding running time would just increase waiting time on many trips. As long as they are getting buses away from Newcastle and Blyth on time then I think thats the best they can do. Some other services such as the 308 may also benefit from extra buses.
Newcastle is probably a big issue with all the Blyth services, plus X21/X22 etc and you can only have a bus on stand for so long in Haymarket because otherwise you would have buses stuck outside sat on Piercy Street, bad enough as it is at times.