(25 Apr 2021, 9:32 am)L469 YVK wrote https://www.facebook.com/124685800957368...sn=scwspmo
Look at one of the comments! Clearly demand for a faster Newbiggin to Newcastle bus.
1hr 12 mins MAX (X19) vs 1hr 29 mins (X21) - AM to NCL
1hr 7 mins (X19) vs 1 hr 19 mins (X21) - PM from NCL
Arriva could easily compete & co-exist well with the trains if they put some effort into marketing & doing things properly.
And in response to various previous comments about GNE "salami slicing" their routes, Arriva have cut the PVR of the X21/X22/35 by 8x vehicles with no tangible benefits to the customer. The X19/X21/X22 & 35 would reduce the PVR by 3x (with other service changes reducing the overall PVR further) but actually offer improvements by maintaining a 20 minute service on the 35 AND doubling the number of "fast" Ashington to Newcastle services.
One comment does not equal demand. If demand existed, the previous attempt with the X20 a few years back would have worked.
Also, you state ANE have cut the PVR by 8 vehicles. That's incorrect, it's 5 vehicles across those routes but given current social distancing dupes and the dedicated X30 board only really a reduction of 2 in reality. As Cobalt271 states, that would be expected to revert to normal once dupes are no longer required.