(21 Jun 2024, 3:26 pm)User2613 wrote To me it looks like there are 3 main options.
Option 1 the X30/31/32 interwork with a PVR of 5 and the X70/71/73 interwork with a PVR of 6 for a total of 11 this is the most efficient in terms of vehicles but would require all to be low height for the bridge in Dunston and remote reliefs in Stanley.
Looks like Option 1 is what GNE have went with looking at bus times, clicking on vehicles and checking the future trips.
On a debate note.....is it cheaper for GNE to have 1x less bus albeit the remote reliefs in Stanley? Or would it be cheaper to increase the PVR by 1x and have all reliefs in Consett with the X45 thrown back into the interworking pattern?
Unless GNE are using the bait room in Stanley, 5 hours on the X30/X31/X32 is pushing it and the only efficient driving time GNE would get without pushing it is around 3hr20m. Not forgetting the cost & time of transporting drivers from Hownsgill to Stanley.