(10 Oct 2021, 10:19 am)Train8261 wrote Washington Galleries, Shiney Row and Houghton Le Spring are the times I've been on both buses and both have gotten the most people at that stop

Operators can try to channel customers down a particular funnel as much as they want and there will be some impact on passenger habits.
However, when it comes to encouraging passengers on the 4/X1 to change at the Galleries, when there are other points that allow for a quicker or more convenient journey - then I'm not convinced there will be that much success.

That half hour it can take on the 4 to the Galleries and then 30/35 mins from there to Newcastle vs 5/10mins to Houghton then 45 mins from Houghton isn't likely to garner much debate for a regular commuter.
Ditto the 5/10 mins to Shiney and the 35mins from there once the change has been made on the X1. 
Even when you take in to account connection times.