(05 Mar 2026, 8:11 am)S830OFT wrote X55 did not last long enough to be able to determine it's full potential.
Also the fact it was a Saturday only route and just went to Greatham via Hartlepool, opposed to continuing to Stockton for all journeys may have had made it a little more successful, although would have then been competing with the X9/X10 & X12...
Hartlepool does desperately need more links. They had 5 buses p/h to Sunderland in 2019 (23/55/X6) - now nothing without changing buses at Peterlee, there is certainly an opportunity to put something in that gap. Same with a bus to Newcastle or indeed a faster bus to Durham that doesn't take 85 minutes alike the 24/58/59...
I recall when the Arriva 57A existed as a commercial route, it was seen as 'the fast bus' between Durham and Hartlepool taking just under 1 hour. I don't know how the 59 which directly replaced this route has got the extra 25 minutes from...
The Hartlepool to Sunderland (direct)bus journey was far too long. I only used it when Northern Rail were on strike. Service 23 didn’t operate after 17.30 , so on match days returning, I was forced to change at Peterlee, another ball ache. The trains not perfect but it’s only 25 minutes.