I was a little harsh in criticising GNE in regard to the X9/10. As an operator they have done just about everything they can within the bounds of sustainability and operation within the commercial constraints of such a route.
The one thing that could be missing is a "direct" service between the two points, Middlesbrough and Stockton, aka back in the day when, if I remember correctly Arriva ran it and it took just an hour between the two points. Wouldn't work these days though, would it ??
RE: X9/X10