(28 Dec 2019, 1:42 pm)streetdeckfan wrote From what I was told when the X21 was extended, the one part of the 18 route that made money was Walker Drive (probably because the 18 was the only service that went that way), but I have noticed since changing to the X21 it's been a lot busier on Proudfoot Drive than it used to be.

Like I said though, it's not actually that much difference in going via Woodhouse or Watling Road, maybe a minute for two, at a push, and they're more likely to pick up passengers in Woodhouse

I think the extra time from Eden to Tesco is to allow for traffic during busier times (which is basically any time after 2pm these days).
I can almost guarantee that pretty much all afternoon northbound services will run late, the traffic down here is an absolute joke, on many occasions it's taken a good 5 minutes for the X21 to get from Tesco to Watling Road Club, a distance of around 300m!

On another note, I've just looked at the timetable again and it looks it'll be going via Neville's Cross at all times now, missing out the university entirely

Obviously it will pick up more going via Woodhouse Close (copying Arriva) than Watling Road, but probably 3 or 4 minutes quicker on Watling Road (delay turning right at Cabin Gate, getting out of Proudfoot Drive and especially towards Bishop, with going round Walker Drive) - potential to get a bigger share of the passengers from West and St Helens going to Bishop (at higher fares) with what would be a faster journey, perceptually much faster, and not involve seeing the sights of Woodhouse Close.