(23 Feb 2023, 6:36 am)RobinHood wrote QA's can only happen if the operators are interested. The LA cannot force it. As is the case with the previous 685 one and the current one, operators made cost or efficiency savings which made the formation of a QA attractive.
Whilst a QA has to pass a number of competition tests to be certified, unless there are tangible benefits to both sides (operator and passenger), then it won't happen, even if it feels obvious.
However, in my opinion, the next most likely is the 6/X21 between Durham and West Auckland.
Personally can't see the 6/X21, the 6 is a much stronger route than the X21 between the two points so Arriva won't gain anything similar with the X12/X21 or 21.
It's some of the urban corridors especially in Sunderland that need it more.
Chester Road (2/8/16/35/39/78)
City Centre -> Seaham Grange / Dalton (22/23/60/61)
City Centre -> Pennywell (20/39)
Great North Road (Q3/43/44/45)
By far the worst corridors in the North East.
Similar with
Yellow Line Metro / 1
Yellow Line Metro / 26 / 27
They compliment each other but decent ticketing does not exist.