(17 Mar 2014, 9:29 pm)Tom wrote I'd have it running from Chester-le-Street to Middlesbrough, hourly. I'll make a timetable later.
I think the only issue with that is that the current Arriva X2 isn't too popular between Newcastle and Durham, despite being quicker than the 21. That alone tells me there's not a market north of Durham. Newcastle & Gateshead to Boro is already well served by the X9/X10.
The X1 section between Durham and Boro is usually heaving. Even the Geminis at peak time are packed from top to bottom. It's currently half hourly, but I think there was a suggestion of increased frequency? If GNE were to compete it'd have to be limited stop, as I know a lot of X1 users that I work with get fed up with it now serving every single stop en-route.
The only other issues are; a) the traffic between Durham Bus Station and the Durham Uni science site. It takes easily twice as long to get through there during rush hour. b) Durham - Shincliffe - Bowburn - Coxhoe is already quite heavily served, with 7 buses an hour. Hourly 57, hourly 57A, half hourly 56, half hourly X1, and once hourly 58.