(07 Sep 2021, 5:23 pm)Storx wrote Aye I know what you mean, I know it does Quorum etc but it's definitely an express from Quorum to Newcastle imo and it's probably worth it for that alone and made much more sense when it was branded as the Quorum Express rather than the current Max. It's quite express between Burradon and Quorum aswell running direct via the A1056 / A189 rather than through West Moor / Killingworth even known it's quicker that way at rush hour but still.
It's definitely on the edge of what an express is though mind in fairness. I had a feeling someone would disagree on it.
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The X1 / X3 / X3A / X4 / X4A / X17 / X66 / X67 / X93 / X94 are all good examples of expresses down Tees Valley aswell. The X21 (Arriva) / X22 (Arriva) / X26 / X27 / X75 / X76 definitely not so it's not just GNE who have dubious express routes.
Personally I don't see the X9/X10 as express services. They're more intercity / regional routes and similar to Megabus / National Express / Flixbus imo hence they're ran by coaches now instead of conventional buses and also have their own ticketing aswell.
There's not much express about those routes. Particularly since the last lot of revisions.
Made a conscious effort to get an X3 a few months back, just to see what the new route was like. Never again.
(07 Sep 2021, 5:45 pm)Train8261 wrote Looking at what it says for X Lines
Welcome to X-lines, your fast, direct bus links from Go North East to get you to work, to the shops, or off for a nice day out. Don't drive, get driven.
Buses are comfortable and easy to spot in their smart gold colour scheme. With free Wi-Fi and USB charging on board, great value fares, next-stop announcements and drivers that are helpful and friendly, it really is the best way to go
It doesn't exactly say that it's a limited stop service. It just says fast and direct links. Which in terms It does
X1 get you to Queen Elizabeth and Springwell quicker than the 56 and Washington to Houghton quicker than the 4
X5/X15 get you to Consett quicker than the 16/16A
X20 get you to Durham quicker than the 20
X21 get you to Durham quicker than the 21
Can't really say the X30/X31/X70/X71/X71/X45/X46 as there doesn't seem to be a bus from Newcastle to Stanley or Consett for them to compete with
X84/X85 get you to Hexham quicker than the 10
The only service bu Go North East you count as limited stops is the X9/X10
Others count as the X66 and X22
X22 is quicker than changing at Chester Le Street to Gateshead then X66 to Metrocentre
X66 is granted a route that only needs to stop at Gateshead and Handy Drive Bus depot and Metrocentre only. Considering after Gateshead it heads along Askew Road then joins up with the other buses to Metrocentre. I don't understand when I've been on it (Before changes and even after) people get on the X66 yet it stops at the exact same stops as the (10/10A/10B/97(before changes)& 6) yet they all get on the X66 when a ten has passed the bus stop seconds before
It's like that meme of all the buses lined up and the person shouting ill get the one at the back. Regent Centre towards Newcastle suffers the most. No matter what bus in front. They will always get the one I'm on. Like even if it was a 43 and 44 following each other
Depending where you are in the town or need to be in the town, a metro and 4 to/from the Galleries can be quicker than the X1.
As an example, I've missed an X1 from Eldon Square a few times on an evening.
Rather than wait half an hour, I've jumped on the Metro at Haymarket, connected to a 4 at Heworth and got to the Galleries at the same time as the X1 I missed.