(01 Sep 2026, 8:43 pm)Storx wrote Aye it's more about the real demand between Washington and Sunderland for me, which couldn't be done by improved buses (or alternative) instead. Like is there enough demand from the stations to the city since there's no parking?

I can't see anyone realistically getting a bus which goes to Sunderland (the 8/56) and changing to a Metro to go to well Sunderland. Might aswell just stay on the 8/56 really and there's no demand coming outside of Washington as anyone sane is going the direct route via East Boldon. 

The amount of work needed, it could be a huge investment in the alternative and it'd be interesting what a study would say for a comparison. The 56 corridor, in particular, is screaming for something with a decent interchange at Washington North which appears to be missing right now.

The Metro will take you into Sunderland in about 12 minutes, frequent, and each train can hold hundreds. The 56, 2 and 8 take 40+ minutes from the bus stations.

If people didn't have a desire to get places faster, fewer people would bother with a car, and we'd have a bus service to London instead of a train. Unless you're going to tell us something that we don't know.

How is an interchange with Washington North missing? I agree that I'd prefer a through loop, but there's really nothing preventing interchange here.