(08 Mar 2022, 7:10 pm)Dan wrote I think the frequency reduction would have had a larger impact than the merger of the two routes causing an increase in journey time. Anecdotally from using the service and seeing photos online, the X10 now seems to carry good loads. Arguably it's better to have one busy bus than two half empty buses, and it'll be interesting to see how Go North East responds to further growth.
I've used the X10 on a number of occasions recently (for leisure) and to be honest it really didn't feel too dissimilar in time to what it was previously. Like the example yesterday with the X20 posing as a faster alternative to the 20, it's all perception. That's not to say my perception isn't different to another customer's perception, of course!
Perhaps 2 buses per hour Newcastle to Peterlee (as Peterlee seems to be the area which has been hit hardest by frequency reduction). One X10 (as now), 1 x9.
(08 Mar 2022, 4:32 pm)morritt89 wrote Not a service change as such but Peterlee outstation is closing at the end of March with services transferring to Deptford and a couple to Chester Le Street.
It will be interesting to see where the 65 changes over - it's very remote from a depot and consequently more expensive to operate. CLS is possibly the nearest (to Durham or Hetton).