(16 Jun 2014, 11:24 pm)Acky81 wrote X3 doomed no surprise there. Go north east what morons ruined that route starting it from Monkwearmouth
I'm not sure about that, because...
If you want Monkwearmouth to Sunderland, you can use the 9, 29, 35, 56 and X36 (amongst others), and Sunderland & Monkwearmouth towards Newcastle can be done on the X36.
If you want Sunderland to East & West Boldon, you could use the 9, or the 9 and 35 for Newcastle Road.
It was only really the link between Asda and Newcastle they took away, but that can be done on the X36, and Boldon Asda to East & West Boldon and Fulwell can be done on the 9.
While a change will be involved from 9 to X36 at Boldon Asda with the withdrawl of the X3, it's not like there's no link at all. I use the X3 regularly, albeit on the stretch of route shared with the X36, and there's never been any more than three people on it... not great for a vehicle operated by an MPD, never mind a double-decker!