(29 Mar 2018, 6:03 am)Coastliner700 wrote Northumbria used to run 9/9A which then became 9X lasted until late 2000s. Initially Olympians then when it became the 9X with Optare Metroriders brand new for it. Sadly it was left to decline and ran poorly by the time Arriva took over. Was then withdrawn. A great shame as I was a fantastic bus service.

Thanks. Do you have any information on the 9/9A/9X route/frequency/popularity etc?

So the 9/9A became the 9X before Arriva took over? I am sure I remember the little 9X Metrorider running around Kenton in about 2008 or so. The 9X seemed to just disappear suddenly. What do you mean by ran poorly and left to decline? In a largely Stagecoach area I would've though Arriva's 9X would be a welcome bus service, and they would've improved the service over the years to rival Stagecoach . I am sure Kenton Shops was Go Northern at one point? I think Arriva and Go North East could easily survive against Stagecoach in Kenton/Cowgate/Slatyford. The 74 and X84/X85 do fine against both Arriva and Stagecoach on shared corridors and the Nexus-secured 32A is used and gets some positive reviews.     

What did the X in 9X mean? Express is always before the service number, I think. 

Would you happen to know the fare between Newcastle and Cobalt on the Coastliner 306 and the X6?