(28 Jun 2026, 10:15 pm)Storx wrote Aye noticed it's running 5 minutes in front of the X73 too (and quicker from Stanley).
Wonder if there's a bit of a secret political dig at Durham County Council aswell for them funding the X73 through BSIP since GNE couldn't be arsed to run it commercially.
If GNE interworked the X32 & X73 which would also sort a few other issues out, the BSIP for the Gateshead & Team Valley links to wider parts of Stanley would be justified.
As much as they get a bit stick, Arriva Northumbria & NCC have shown how BSIP should be used.
Asides from that, if Northstar could get a handful of well TLC'd later B9TLs or Scania E400/E400MMC, I'd like to see them have a try taking on the X21 with a competing service, running as a 'proper' express like the old X21 did. Would serve GNE right for dumping gutless hairdryers on a service that has clearly been calling out for a decent allocation of vehicles for years.
A re-birth of 'Pronto' anyone? Could it run a PVR of 3x with a 3 hour round trip to Bishop Auckland only?