(23 May 2021, 12:30 am)Jimmi wrote You bring up the X12 competing with the 21/X21, I do wonder how GNE's changes to the 21 has affected things, first halving the frequency for people in Birtley wanting to travel beyond CLS and then sending it via the Arnison Centre adding around 5 minutes into the journey time because of the awkward way it has to go into the Arnison Centre (well, that's when they haven't pulled it from serving the stop outside Sainsbury's that is, happened again today with the 21/X20).
That's one thing that concerns me with the Brandon extension, whenever the service is delayed I can envision them dropping passengers off in Brandon then run NIS up to CLS to re-start the service, have noticed X21 do that a few times in West Auckland due to delays, drop off to West Auckland then run light to Bishop Auckland Bus Station to get back onto schedule.
I saw it mentioned on here the other day that the northern section still carries nowt but fresh air. I suppose if you're primarily a GNE user and have to come in from somewhere else on a GNE bus and connect to the 21, you're probs gonna stick with the GNE service even if it is less frequent because of cheaper through ticketing - theoretically 4x21's to Durham half full, becomes 2x21's to Durham that are full!
Oh yeah, I'm not saying a Brandon extension or any other competition is perfect, but it would be an alternative service or a new link from a passengers point of view and from an enthusiasts point of view it would be something a bit different lol.