(17 Dec 2023, 5:05 pm)mb134 wrote Sitting for 17 minutes in Morpeth and 9 in Haymarket each cycle is massively overkill, given time is being put back into the routes.
Ultimately Arriva have consulted on a change to the route in Newbiggin and Newbiggin alone, not a pointless change in Bedlington. I think it's more than safe to assume that will be the only change to the route.
Could say the same for the 43/44/45 layovers too. And also the 306 layovers in Whitley Bay.
But the 17 and 9 minute layovers would help get things back on track should there be any moderate delays to services plus hugely help at peak times. Also have to take into account for a smooth change between the X21 and 35 in Newbiggin, anything more than 3 minutes will be off putting. Plus it wouldn't be the worst idea having a decent length layover in Morpeth after doing a full X21 and 35.
Don't forget either that Sundays & Bank Holidays also seem to be plagued with reliability issues. The X21 going back via Hartford Road would allow a clean and easy interworking pattern with the 35 & X22 on Sundays without any long layovers in Morpeth.