(23 May 2022, 2:58 pm)Storx wrote Aye I've heard Darlington haven't been to clever. Not sure what's gone so wrong at both Darlington and Durham bar rather ironically they're the two depots which have always been the worst even before Covid especially fleet presentation.Before the introduction of the X67, the X66 ran on a 20 minute frequency with its current route (not serving Hartburn).
No doubt there's serious problems behind the scenes which we aren't aware of which seem to blight GNE aswell where there's all sorts of morale issues being leaked constantly especially from Consett which is one of the worst depots. The other 5 Arriva depots have generally done well especially Ashington, Stockton and Redcar don't believe there's been any issues with them 3 at all. For balance Percy Main and Hexham at GNE are the same.
I was thinking the X66 might've been popular for some for those reasons mind, must admit I don't know the route too well but I'd much rather have a slightly longer 20 minute service than a faster 30 minute service.
For me at least its this temporary timetable (and previous 20 min frequency on X66) was easier for Travel options as it was easier to connect to/from Aycliffe services whereas with the X67 by the time I reach and change in Darlington Town Centre, I can usually get the X66 15 mins behind and connect with the same bus as the previous X67 would. The numbers down North Road and along Whinfield Road are much better than what the X67 takes along Haughton Road, only seems to carry light loadings to the in-between stops once you factor out those that just get on in Darlington Town Centre and board whichever of the X66/X67 that turns up first.