(12 Jul 2020, 2:21 pm)S830OFT wrote Even though the X20 has already been extended to Langley Park, I think GNE missed a trick where they could have combined the X5/X15/X20 all together. The allocation of Optare Solos to the X20 is quite strange considering loadings before coronavirus were very good, with quite a few journeys I observed being overcrowded.
If they merged the X5/X15/X20 all together, these services could have benefited from a Double Decker allocaton, or atleast a full sized bus. In addition it would have offered a faster alternative for journeys between Consett and Sunderland, without having to use service 78.
I think 673 - 678 would have best remaining on the X6/X7, and possibly extending the service to South Shields via Roker/Seaburn, along the coast to compete with service E1. I will make a service suggestion for that one...
I’ve already sent GNE a suggestion about merging the x20 with x5/x15 awhile ago.
Can’t see GNE re entering Roker/Seaburn since there pulled out of there years ago.
If double deckers arrived for service 20 and freq reduced to every 15 minutes and have the service continued to Langley park every half hourly to replace 13/14 and the other half hourly to consett to replace x5/x15 and cut the shields to Sunderland section , and have the shields section used by extending the 60 to shields
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