(07 Jan 2020, 12:18 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I used the X12 between Durham and Newcastle during CTBW, and I will never be doing it again!A service 6 routesaver is no good to me as I have to get the 64 before the 6, hence the Durham District ticket. I can get the X21 door to door but it's less frequent and I've spent enough time waiting at 4 lane ends for a lifetime, already.
I made an effort of trying to only use Arriva services that day and I was genuinely surprised how unreliable the Arriva services were, I know it's not unusual to have 2 6 services following each other from Bishop to Durham, but I just put that down to the 6 being far too frequent.
To be fair though, the X12 back down was actually on time, whereas the 21 never showed!
If we look at the pricing of the X21 and the Arriva 6, it's all a bit of a mess!
If you're travelling between Bishop Auckland and Durham, for a day ticket (Auckland Castle Saver and Service 6 Routesaver), it's the same price, but for the weekly ticket Arriva is £2.50 cheaper.
If you want to travel between West Auckland and Durham, for the day ticket (Xlines X21 Saver and Service 6 Routesaver Plus), GNE is 50p cheaper, but for the weekly ticket Arriva is 20p cheaper. However, the GNE ticket will allow you to travel between West Auckland and Newcastle, whereas the Arriva ticket is only West Auckland to Durham (Fram during peak times)
Now, if we look at single prices, from Tindale to Spennymoor on Arriva it's £4.80 (according to live chat anyway, I ended up buying a day ticket instead so don't know if it's accurate), with GNE it's only £3.10, but from Tindale to Bishop with Arriva it's £1.40 and GNE £1.60.
The problem with the 6 is largely congestion on church street and south road, combined with students who catch it in their dozens to save a 10 minute walk. As soon as you add any complications like the current roadworks around Tudhoe then it can't keep time at all. It's a busy service at almost any time on a weekday so definitely not too frequent.