(31 Mar 2021, 9:55 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Assuming the Explorer tickets are valid, I think I'd rather go that route than buying the X11 ticket.
I get the added flexibility of returning on the X93 if I fancy sticking around an hour or two, and can make use of the X93 during the day.
Plus, if I wanted to use the Beachcomber, and a ticket is only £5, then it will only make it £15.90, so 90p more expensive.
I was thinking about this earlier when it was confirmed Explorers would not be valid.
To get to Newcastle I'd need an ANE ticket anyway. The X11 ticket will only be valid on that journey, and there's no flexibility. So that's £20.50 if I want to get to Scarborough. Alternatively, I could get to Newcastle with ANE, hop on an X9/X10 to Middlesbrough, use the X93 to my heart's content, and catch an X9/X10 back up all for £10 (£5.50 ANE NE Regionwide, £4.50 GNE 5-25). Granted, there's no Beachcomber included there but for me that would only bring my total to £15 - and I still have full flexibility.
Obviously that's a situation applicable only to students really, but for me there won't be any real benefit to getting the X11 over the traditional way of doing it. I'll definitely do it once to give it some support mind, but it'll likely be limited to once given how I can do the same trip for half the price using the more flexible services.