(05 Mar 2026, 9:02 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote So a few examples of innovation for Sunderland from the period I mentioned - 5 to Boldon Asda, new routings serving East Herrington on 4/5, 17 (various incarnations), 21, open top 22, 25, open top 26 (and the more recent incarnation as 19), E3, E6, X1, X2, X27-X29, M39-M41. All of these were introduced post rereg through the 90s with most creating new or faster links. They survived varying lengths of time. Compare that to the last 15 ish years. You could argue the whole Favourite operation in County Durham is another example. I am sure you can come up with many others from other parts of the region if you really want to see/hear more examples.
Wouldn't really say the E6, it was put on to compete with Catch-A-Bus' 6.
Looking at Go North East, pretty sure the X10 didn't exist in 1986 (don't recall seeing it in the May 1986 timetable I've seen) - do please correct if I'm wrong.