How about St Thomas Street, then right onto Percy Street and normal route from there for southbound services. Likewise coming into Newcastle, along John Dobson Street, St Marys Place, then along to the Hancock Museum, left there, up to the RVI, around the block so its pointing the right way ready to leave.
People could wait in either Haymarket or Eldon Sq until the service is due in bad weather then just a short walk.
RE: X9/X10