(2 hours ago)X919 WGR wrote I think it should just stay as what they are.
It's just an easier way of telling customers that the X45 is the direct version of the 47 from Consett to Metrocentre & Newcastle.
Same thing with the X5/X15. Its just the direct Durham bus from Consett.
Also people in the Delves Lane area are pretty much used to the X5 number. It will just cause confusion once again if it were to ever go back to the 15/15A.
They've had these numbers for 7 years and regardless of X-Lines or not. Its better knowing which route is a direct as a opposed to taking a gamble on which route will get me there quickest.
Look at when the 26/27 went from Newcastle. If you were an elderly person and had no access to the app you are picking 50/50 on which of the 2 will get me to South Shields quickest especially when both via's at one point said "Via Hebburn & Jarrow" no via saying the very long extension on the 26. One takes 10 minutes from Jarrow, the other is Nürburgring.
I would argue much different if the numbers were not 1 or 2 away from the next number.
Some will see the 15 thinking its the 16 and vice versa.
Sorry for the waffle on. Probably a much longer response than needed but it's just what I think.
See I'd kinda argue the opposite for the X45/47, they're a combined corridor for most of the route and the current numbers don't shout that at all imo. They badly need to be next to each other and advertised as one as a 15 minute service rather than two 30 minute services.
The 47 is a silly bus route though as it's unacceptably long from end to end and people at the Consett side don't have an alternative either and runs 3 minutes in front of the X45 at the Consett side.
It's a corridor which badly needs to be restored to the pre covid timetable with the 45/46/47 imo, even if you tried something different - serving Medomsley and different parts of Shotley Bridge - or whatever. They've always got healthy loads whenever I see them tbh so it's not like it's increasing a dead corridor and if it ends being reduced to single deckers at the same time then so be it.