The X4 also worked the section between Houghton and Seaham for a short period.
That was axed and the 203 introduced.
With the M1, 20a and 35a heading along Dairy Lane/Winters Bank (a combined 12 buses per hour in either direction), the 71 will always be the poor relation, picking up local stragglers, customers for the estate in Fencehouses etc.
However the route provides an ongoing connection (an expensive one at that) to Chester.
I said just recently, the zone and county boundaries as well as its early finish, dont help it at all.
Until GNE make the service attractive by lowering fares, change the zone system or extend its end points, it will continue to struggle.
RE: Go North East