(03 Dec 2021, 7:35 am)54APhotography wrote The only suggestion I ever made to Stagecoach North East was routing a number of X24 via Washington Galleries. The route the drivers take from Hastings Hill to Gateshead is fluid and during the prolonged Testo's farce a good number used Penshaw, A1231, A195. As loadings are very erratic during the core day it might win them a bit of business, and be faster than the 2/2A
I know I've mentioned it on here before but once Downhill and IAMP are complete I'd route both the X24 and X34 along Follingsby Lane. It has potential of being an absolute gold mine. Providing a 15 minute service between Nissan / IAMP / Follingsby and Newcastle and every 30 minutes to .Sunderland / parts of South Shields It has the benefit of being the opposite flow at the peaks ie away from Newcastle in the morning into Newcastle in the evening.
There's definitely demand since the 4 has extra buses on now and both are very poorly connected (Nissan towards Newcastle and Amazon towards Sunderland).
At the same time I'd trial an hourly evening and Sunday service on the X34 for a cushion for the slightly extended route.
Washington is just out of area and pointless competition against the numerous buses already existing.