(29 Dec 2021, 1:19 am)peter wrote Just looked at the timetable myself and the turnaround appears to be 16 not 6 - gets in at :54 and leaves :10
It's not beyond the realms of possibility that the X9 could return in the future if things picked up. It's already been mentioned that there are spare MMC's at Consett or some could be ordered new in the future if things really were on the up. While these changes are 'permanent' as opposed to a temporary measure, it doesn't mean they won't be reversed in the future - we've seen plenty of other service changes made by GNE that end up being reversed - the changes in South Tyneside with the stretch from Jarrow to Lukes Lane as part of the 9 springs to mind.
You'd think if the demand returns then the service will too - GNE have probably held out running it as long as they can at a loss for the sake of consistency but it's gotta be acknowledged that covid repercussions will happen for years to come, if not permanently with regard to working from home etc.
I always preferred the X9 over the X10 if I could choose between the two.
Forgetting about leasing costs, vehicle reliability, driver availability, roadworks on the A19 and Covid for a moment, I've got to ask the question about the decision to get rid of the X9 temporarily during the pandemic and look at the part that decision has made on getting rid of it permanently.
Consolidation in to one vehicle and reducing costs may look good on paper, but I can't see it paying off longer term.