(28 May 2014, 2:40 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote Just because a registration change has been submitted, does not mean a complete overhaul?
I'm told, for example, that the vast majority of the changes are around revisions to peak running time, which means that whilst it appears the Teesside network is being recast, in reality, the majority will see little change.
It just looks significant with the registrations that have gone in.
The new X5 does seem interesting? Another step in the right direction?
Spot on - these are just minor tweaks as a result of feedback from customers and drivers. The new X5 will be all stops from Easington to Skelton then non-stop to Middlesbrough, giving a much reduced journey time from East Cleveland to Middlesbrough at peak times. There will be 2 trips each way per day, as a bolt on, in addition to the Sapphire 5/5A's. The X5s will operated by Sapphire drivers too.