(27 Apr 2014, 10:20 am)tyresmoke wrote Problem is the later and later you get, the more and more passengers you start picking up. It happens all the time on our 15s as an example, get 2 minutes late and before you know it you can be 7-8 late with the other one right behind you as he's been picking nobody up! Then the two start fighting and eventually fall behind til the next one catches up. This is why we regularly end up with pairs and sometimes 3s and 4s running around together when it's really busy (Wednesdays for example!).
Of course this is less of an issue on less frequent services but the same applies just over a longer time period. It's also harder to drop one out and get it back on time when you only have a half hourly frequency.
Even on an x1/x2?
Totally agree it will happen on other services, particularly around Stockton with the 15, but between Newcastle and Durham - there are any amount of alternatives that passengers would get. I imagine it is the same between Durham and Coxhoe too.