(10 hours ago)220631612 wrote As far as regions go, we’ve already got a pretty decent express network, obviously there’s gaps and it’s nowhere near as large as it once was but take say the Cramlington-Newcastle Corridor as a prime example, it’s looking pretty good all things considered. Personally I’d like to see a faster Tyne Valley-Newcastle service reintroduced and I certainly think there would be scope for a coast-city express service for those that don’t particularly like to rely on the metro on both sides of the Tyne.

The problem with our express network, is that most of it isn't really an express network.

Take something like the X70/X71/X72 and there's 50+ stops end to end. Even the Cramlington expresses are 10+ stops, and it's hardly a great distance to cover. 

Our express services do this predominantly because the supporting services no longer exist, so it's either or. Of course, you then end up with other problems, such as the northbound morning loadings on the X1 before they reach the Galleries.

I do think there'll be some genuine opportunities to introduce express buses, particularly where it's difficult or cost prohibitive to introduce rail or Metro, but there needs to be a real analysis of the network long before that day comes.