(02 May 2026, 11:41 pm)Unber43 wrote Maybe 

X1 Newcastle - Washington - Doxford Park - Seaton - Deneside - Seaham - Parkside via Princess Road 

I dont think getting the bus to sunderladn then metro is a very appealing option for many but only one bus would be.

There's the train though.

imo any Newcastle links, should be on a merged 21/71. I don't expect anyone to use it end to end but the bits inbetween might want a link.

Something like:
21A: Newcastle to Seaham - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.95115...f7!1m0!3e0
21B: Newcastle to Dalton Park - https://www.google.com/maps/dir/54.95115...72!1m0!3e0

Both hourly, giving a 30 minute service to Fencehouses and Great Lumley where the direct bus to Newcastle would actually be appreciated with links to Seaham and Dalton Park from CLS and vice versa which some people might actually want.

The 71 is a bit of a basketcase now but the merger onto a decent route might make it more sustainable in the long run. With the X1 back down to every 15 minutes, as these changes are making a right pigs ear of the timings at the Southern End of the route. It needs to be either every 10 or every 15 minutes imo and very very few people are losing sleep over 3 minutes.