(02 Aug 2020, 11:59 am)tyresmoke wrote Having used the X9/X10 numerous times over the years I beg to differ on this pointQuite often the queue is at least 20 people by 15-20 mins before departure on the peak journeys at Eldon Square. Of course there's enough seats for everyone so it's never an issue for me but people do seem to get there earlier for longer distance (and less frequent I guess) services.
That's a pre-COVID experience, though, don't forget. The evening peak is not the same as what it was, and I dare say it'll never be the same again. There'll be a lot of companies that close down offices and encourage staff to work from home permanently now.
The main reason people would turn up 20 minutes early for a service is to make sure they get a seat. You'd see the same happen in Middlesbrough on the X93 over the summer months too. Presuming that capacity returns to 100% in time, I'd suggest that it'll be a long time before we're in that situation again.
Realistically anyone waiting more than 20 minutes would probably be on the service which ran 30 minutes prior. You're not going to get many that start waiting five minutes after the previous service departed.