(17 Jun 2021, 7:51 am)Kuyoyo wrote Good luck with extending the 16/16a to Sunderland - that would add 2 hours to each journey and likely make it impossible to work it so all driver reliefs take place at Consett (as currently a full 16/16A cycle is 4 hours 30 minutes). Likewise, they is only 15 B5LHs - Consett will need 10 for the 16/16A (9 branded plus one spare) which leaves 5 - not enough for the 25 (PVR 6).
From my calculations it's about 10 minutes longer end to end in comparison to that of the 78 which is also ran by Consett without any issues.
You could always split the allocation between both Deptford and Consett as similarly done with the Coast & Country between Chester-Le-Street/Consett.
Also there is the benefit of having a Cross-City-Service with the need to change buses in Durham which would potentially reduce journey times from A to B while creating direct links.
Would also give both the 16's/20's a much needed upgrade to Double Deck Operation with the Streetlites replacing older vehicles within the fleet further reducing fleet age.