(23 Dec 2021, 8:06 pm)Storx wrote Something says that the X84/X85 isn't all purely numbers based and is to do with the Bus Partnership. At the end of the day it was about removing duplication and buses doing the same route and the 685/X85 done exactly that, they even had the same number for Arriva's old express one per day journey.
If one bus had to continue along there it was always going to be the 685. The number to 684 and 'timing with other operators' suggests it's more than outright scrapping. Maybe we might see GNE tickets accepted on the 685 and Arriva/Stagecoach tickets on the 684. It would be a better service for everyone. The 685 sticks out like a sore thumb anyway so it's not like GNE are giving money away to Arriva / Stagecoach in the Hexham area.
There's other corridors where that could work aswell.
X12/X21 and 306/308/309/310/311 being the two most noticeable.
Not convinced myself.
Pretty sure it's a fall out of the coaches on the X9/10 not quite working (driver availability, vehicle reliability & costs and maybe one or two other factors).
The X85 is a victim as a result of GNE needing high spec vehicles to fill the gap left by the coaches imo. Coupled with it maybe not making as much money as they anticipated.
The drivers don't need much familiarity training for the E400s either, meaning a lot more flexibility resource wise.