(20 Feb 2024, 2:33 pm)Storx wrote Depends where you're going though, not to mention if a train says it takes 37 minutes, it very likely will, unlike buses. Have to remember the X20, is nowhere near the train station and it's more the X22 passengers, who could very likely be getting single deckers with standing loads in a few months time, which takes well over an hour at peak times. Remember Hexham used to have the X84/X85 which were similar, but they made no impact on the trains and died.

It's the same for the other stations especially the two Blyth ones and Seaton Delaval, which rely on the X7/X8/X9 which are complete shambles, as an understatement.

Haymarket / Central Station are both out of the way in Newcastle really, so that depends which end you're going to there.

Agree the last train is a bit early though mind but pricing will be the main killer if it's not integrated.

I'm not too sure, some of the timings look very tight and obviously it's all coordinated at the Newcastle end to ensure no disruption to the ECML services which will 100% get priority. There is at least one train (1148 ex Newcastle) which is timed to stop at Benton to allow something to pass, but has no time to actually do so. 

Even in your example of the X22 the main area of housing there is around Fallowfield, which is a 15+ minute walk to the train station. So you're already looking at it being nearly one hour into Central on a train which is less frequent and a hefty walk in the rain (we're in England after all). 

To be fair to Haymarket (and Eldon Square), it's right next to the universities, main shopping street/centre, council offices, and RVI just as some examples.