(24 Jan 2025, 4:56 pm)L469 YVK wrote Said this time and time before! But if the Derwentside route changes made in July 2024 allowed more capable (although not 100%) vehicles to move to routes where they're actually needed with interworking changes (keeping Whickham & Dunston half-hourly), yet the management are still planning inefficient interworking patterns whilst the X10 is struggling for suitable spares and even capacity, whilst the X21 still struggles with absolute basket case 4 pot heaps of s***e on 30+ mile round trips, then it clearly highlights the issue!
If I was at Arriva North East right now, I'd be ear-marking some competition out of Belmont. Blyth's DB300's would be more than capable in the interim (DHM - NCL only) if Arriva spent some money in Blyth and cascaded them down! Or even one better, some more cascaded E400MMC from other Arriva areas and some competition against the X21!
Even Stagecoach could probably have a decent shot from one of their C&T depots against the X10 with support from Sunderland and Walkergate!
It wouldn’t even look like an unreasonable swipe for Arriva to return the full length X12 to twice hourly and push back against the angel with the 49s.