(23 May 2022, 8:02 pm)Jimmi wrote Before the introduction of the X67, the X66 ran on a 20 minute frequency with its current route (not serving Hartburn).
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.
Yeah I can see that actually, it is a bit pointless the X67 running direct out of Darlington, at least you'd think it would be better running through Haughton Le Skerne, the time is negligible anyway.
Mind I do understand why someone wouldn't want to use the X66 at rush hour. North Road and Whinfield Road can be a right chore. I'm quite regularly down there with someone else driving and quite often use the rat run up towards Bradbury along the country roads which I know is quite well known. tbf. Darlington is just riddled with rat runs everywhere.
(23 May 2022, 8:14 pm)tyresmoke wrote Redcar are majorly struggling with vehicle availability… 5 boards missing today but it has been as high as 9 recently. Plenty of drivers, though (despite me pinching them regularly!), in fact lots of drivers sat around with no bus…
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Ah didn't realise there was fleet problems down there aswell. I'm not sure who's idea it was to withdraw all the Omnicity's without replacing them. I'm guessing it's partly come from the Pulsar's been released to Blyth without nothing really replacing them?