There is always going to be problems when you have 'one' service along a particular route or corridoor - however, when the 21 ran alongside the 21a and 21b and had the likes of a 724 and the Arriva X1 and 723 to back it up, how often did you hear of complaints along the Durham Road corridoor? The frequency between Chester and Newcastle was more or less the same as now, but you were sure a bus would turn up, because the routes all deviated at some point South of Chester.
It was the same in the 80's and 90's with the 231, 722, 723, 724, 735 and X1. Granted traffic congestion may not have been as bad in some places, but the route wasnt percieved as one bus, going the same way.
On top of that, there was the 721 which operated Chester to Newcastle via Barley Mow and Wrekenton, the hourly 725 and 726 along Portobello Road and Wrekenton and the 26 between Barley Mow and Newcastle (or the OK 727 which ran via Wrekenton). You also had the 183 between Barley Mow and Low Fell
Each route had its own identity and you could get 'a' bus, regardless of another breaking down or getting stuck in traffic.
RE: Service Suggestions