(12 Jun 2023, 1:23 pm)RobinHood wrote And the vast majority of the affected section have alternative bus services still.
I can see why the X21 has been withdrawn and the passengers who lose out are those going across Sedgefield.
Bluntly honest though, ive seen the X21 between Rushyford and Sedgefield and it is usually practically empty, which i suspect has influenced the decision somewhat.
There is some through traffic to/from Sedgefield and Aycliffe/Darlo but its not exactly major numbers and seems like it's only at certain times of the day. From my observations at least, the X22 towards Middlesbrough is much the same although may just take the edge over the X21 although I suspect numbers will take a nose dive on the Teesside end of the X22 with terminating at Stockton on the vast majority of journeys.
I think one of the major benefactors over retaining the X22 over the X21 is operational convenience where that the X22 can be done in a 4 hour cycle from Stockton depot saving 2 buses over the current PVR of 6, it wouldn't have really been possible to do the same from Darlington depot, only way may have been to have gone direct along the A1(M) between junctions 59 and 60 missing out Aycliffe in the process.
It's a shame for the direct links to be lost although many of the villages in this area have lost direct links over the last few years:
* 113 no longer running to Bishop Auckland for those in Sedgefield, Fishburn etc.
* Chilton only has a bus to Bishop on a nighttime on the 35A.
* currently there's no direct bus from the Trimdons to Durham, instead being covered by a subpar arrangement where people must change buses in Kelloe - this has been the subject of much ridicule and is seemingly one of the main locations those in the Trimdons wish to travel to.
* West Cornforth lost direct bus to Spennymoor (112).
Sadly with much of the above in mind, I can't see any alternative being put in place by Durham County Council.