(08 Apr 2014, 6:43 pm)AdamY wrote If this is indeed the case, would there be any merit in making this service non-stop between Durham Bus Station (or Framwellgate Moor/Arnison Centre) and Chester; and then from Chester and Gateshead?
A faster alternative to GNE's X21 perhaps?
They do pick up/drop off quite a bit between Pity Me and Durham or I did last time I did one (admittedly not very often!) - especially at college times at Fram Moor. It's pretty much nonstop to Chester after Pity Me with the stops in between rarely stopped at anyway. Quite a few use it from Birtley and Low Fell into Gateshead, not sure why as its hardly much quicker really, just doesn't stop at every stop I suppose.
No denying the loads are lighter on the X2 but yes it does sell weekly tickets on various Durham routes so some revenue from those should be attributed to it I suppose.