(17 Aug 2022, 10:27 am)Andreos1 wrote And if it is 'doing better financially now than before', how sustainable will that be?
You've consolidated loads from two services in to one, lengthened the journey and eventually (I'll give you the lottery numbers on Saturday if you want), numbers will fall to a level that isn't financially sustainable - because the service doesn't meet their needs.
The link between Teesside and Tyneside will need improving and adapting in the future.
The Northern service of Newcastle -> Chester Le Street -> Durham -> Stockton -> Thornaby -> Middlesbrough should be the answer imo. Especially now that the XC trains are down to hourly so there's a free path. Would help the locals in Waldridge who have had their services pissed about more times than ever to get places aswell.
Believe it only takes 55 minutes that way rather than the 85 mins at best the current ways.