(03 Jun 2026, 8:22 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Before the pandemic , when we regularly visited on a Sunday, it was six and two threes whether it was quicker to go via Stanley or Gateshead. When the X21 is going through one of its bad patches, I often walk to the hospital instead of the college, if I’m travelling to Newcastle so I have the option of going via Stanley, as it doesn’t take much longer than a 21 stuck in traffic (and is a much more scenic route!)

Not surprised either there tbh. The 21 is a hell of a bus route, at the best of times. Just feels a right slog through Low Fell etc. 

I used to go to Birtley once in a blue moon, and I'd do anything to avoid it, usually getting the X12 as you'd pass around 3 of them anyway while than ran express.