(27 Jul 2021, 3:46 pm)Andreos1 wrote If you're keeping the network as is, I'd do the following:
I'd keep the X21 as it is, but divert it in to the hub.
There's 2 buses an hour in to Gateshead Newcastle and Durham with the X21.
I would also divert the X1 via this hub and have it omit Springwell.
There's 5 buses an hour in to Gateshead, Newcastle, Washington and beyond.
I'd also have the 81/82 and 50 serve the hub.
In addition, I would divert the 8 away from Harraton and Fatfield to serve the hub. There is already a fair few buses between those two places to Washington Town Centre and Sunderland. Not sure the 8 actually needs to operate through those areas.
There's a number of existing services and with slight tweaks, I think they would complement each other.
The only concerns I would have, is that the 8 and 50 aren't fast or frequent enough to appeal to those wanting a P&R to/from Sunderland City Centre nor the manufacturing/business parks.
Ditto with the X1 and the coalfields areas, Rainton Bridge etc. Obviously there's nothing towards TVTE or Doxford Park either.
Key employment locations, which are chronically under-served.
You'd have problems with the 8, 50 and X1 because you can't get off the A1(M) without a massive detour. There's no route from the A1(M) to the A1231 so the X1 would have to travel to the Angel then head the wrong way back to Wrekenton and it's on the wrong side of the A195 for the 8 and 50 Northbound so they would have to go on a massive detour up to the A182 and head back down.
The Park and Ride is also in the wrong place for heading to Sunderland as anyone going to Sunderland will already be travelling along the A1231, A690, A183 or A194/A19 depending where they've come from and it's going 'the wrong way'.
Personally I don't understand what links your making though tbh.
X1 users can change at Houghton for Sunderland / Durham / South Shields / Rainton / Doxford Park or Washington for South Shields / Chester Le Street / Stanley
X21 users can change at Durham for Sunderland / Rainton / Stanley / Doxford Park or Chester Le Street for Washington / South Shields / Stanley
8 / 50 users can change at Washington or Chester Le Street for Newcastle / Gateshead / Sunderland / Durham / Stanley