No change to the routes whatsoever, but GNE could reduce the low height decker PVR to 8x and have all Monday - Saturday driver changes at Consett within legal & safe driving hours. Whickham & Dunston keep their 3bph too!
Added bonus of a throughbus from Anfield Plain & New Kyo to Gateshead with the X32/X73 interworking.
I know GNE are trying to move away from the 'fads' too, but there'd be enough buses to make the X30/X31/X70/X71 all bike friendly during Monday to Saturday daytimes too.