(10 Apr 2026, 10:22 am)Andreos1 wrote I've shared many examples of services being like that in the past.
But the obsession with consolidation has often been at the expense of anything convenient for the passengers.
The old GNE X5 was replaced by the X1 and journies are longer in duration than they were South of Washington.
Partly because the X1 is an all stopper (as opposed to limited stop like it was), replacing the 194 between Shiney Row and Easington Lane.
The Durham Road services in Gateshead allowed for the shorter hops, whilst the 231, 723, 735 etc were limited stop between Birtley and Gateshead.
They've all been combined in to the 21 now (aka the slow bus to Gateshead).
The X12 between Birtley and Gateshead is the only limited stop service between the two and is timed to be approx 10mins quicker during the peaks.
Even a 4minute saving is psychological quicker
A great example people get the 306 from Battlehill as it is quicker (by 4 mins) as oppose to going round High Farm loop
People in Battlehill or Wallsend will prefer the 340 than the 341 as it misses out Wiltshire Drive
Some people hate going round Hadrian Park it is all these 4minutes that make it feel quicker
Personally I would make 309 and 306 express along coast road instead of going up every ramp and down at Chilli Road and the next one down (forgot its name)
After all they have the 350 and 351 by then going up and down