(15 Jan 2022, 7:11 pm)Jimmi wrote Between Heddon and Newcastle the 684 & 685 will run roughly 30 minutes apart in both directions which will certainly benefit the passengers on this end of the route at least (currently X84 departs Newcastle 15 minutes before the 685 and runs roughly 15 minutes behind the 685 heading into Newcastle, on top of leaving Hexham at roughly the same time as the 685 whereas when the changes happen the 684 will leave Hexham around 15 minutes after the 685). Whilst the fare thing still restricts the journeys fare paying passengers to one bus, it does at least work for the OAPs using the route (hopefully BSIP fixes that issue in future).

684 is more for those living along the route rather than direct Hexham to Newcastle passengers.

Yes, at least Hexham to Newcastle also has the 10, and in theory passengers might get a multi operator ticket. As someone who lives along the route its disappointing to be restricted by tickets/fares to an hourly and day time only service which has also been downgraded from X-lines. Definitely mutual ticket acceptance or cheaper single fares should have been put in place first. I'll now probably end up wasting time in town on some occasions waiting for the 684. Currently I'm unlikely to be doing any voluntary or paid work due to Covid.