Point is made above. They were many assumptions from people that it is simply a pensioners bus but how many of these are traveling from point to point, I doubt very many are. They are using it is a local service form some of the little villages. Every service is the same, GNE X9 can be simply a Gateshead-Heworth despite it serving a vaster area, similarly GNE's X7 many now use a local Essington Way-Peterlee Bus Station despite it going down to Middlesbrough. Arriva 23 I use it often as to get from Easington Village Green to the bottom of Easington Colliery. Very few services are made with the solo idea of cross country/express long distance/point to point service. If the 685 is commercial, are people seriously suggesting that its not making profit! It must be at least breaking even; no ones going to run it at a loss.