(23 Apr 2021, 10:15 pm)Storx wrote I know what your trying to do here but there's a lot more to the timetables that you've missed here, there's been quite a bit of work been put into the current timetables and they're actually quite clever if you look into them more (something other bus companies really should learn).X18 & X20 would still coordinate. X19 would just be an additional service covering the Woodhorn to Newcastle part alongside the X20.
Currently it's
Every 15 Minutes between Ashington and Newbiggin with the 35/X21
Every 15 Minutes between Ashington and Bedlington Station with the 1/X21
Every 15 Minutes between Bedlington Station and Bedlington with 2/X21
Every 15 Minutes between Bedlington Station and Blyth with the 1/2
Every 30 Minutes between Amble and Newcastle with the X18/X20 (for reference).
Nothing with the 2/57/X22 between Bedlington and Guide Post but somewhere has to fail.
With your timetables you've made the service between Newbiggin and Ashington worse (Every 20 mins instead of 15 mins) and complete buggered up the 1/2 connections and when you change one you end up with a chain reaction with the next going off.
I get what you mean about the common frequencies with the locals but, the timetable is mostly geared at providing an 'efficient' service whilst creating new and improved links as well as giving the BTRL some healthy competition (X19 & X20). The X19 perfectly coordinates with the X20.
As for the Newbiggin > Ashington part, the 35 is more than enough to have that part covered with other journeys on the X19 & X21 and them also serving Wansbeck Hospital.
(23 Apr 2021, 10:43 pm)mb134 wrote If you saw the loads on the X20 at the moment the last thing you'd be suggesting would be another direct service.It goes back to dillution though. GNE had that problem in Derwentside but have pretty much cracked it and got a stable group of 'X' services covering Consett / Stanley and Sunniside to Newcastle.
The prospect of a 30 minute 'fast' Ashington to Newcastle service would be very tempting for passengers. Plus the clear journey time advantage from Newbiggin over the X21, it would be a win-win.