(12 Oct 2021, 5:15 pm)User2613 wrote Could a 4a type route work? I was thinking normal route heworth to the galleries then out of Washington running via lambton, harraton (sycamore avenue) and rickelton to Chester then the 71 route to Houghton. Journey time would be 70 minutes each way so a PVR of 5 with a 30 minute frequency.
The 8 could then be rerouted to be sped up between the galleries and Chester and potentially mean the timing of the 78 and 8 could be made more even rather than running from common areas a few minutes apart like now.
The 71 could also be withdrawn.
I think it was a variation of the 179, but pretty sure the Washington - Houghton via Chester has been tried already. At least 2 or 3 times.
Chester - Seaham was the 735 donkeys years ago and that didn't last, even when the pits were open.
Thats not to say it can't/won't work nowadays.
My own thoughts revolve about the need to improve the headway on the Washington - Chester and Chester - Woodstone Village services before tinkering with any routes. That should be the priority imo.