It won't be good but its good we will see some competition again... anyway... its only a 4 min difference from Sunderland to Peterlee on the X7 and X21I think the new X21 won't kill the X7, when I've seen it has arrived in Peterlee with decent loads from the Boro end of the route and has then left for Sunderland with another decent load. Also I think the X7 will still be in front of the 21A between Station Town and Peterlee Bus Station and is also faster than the 21A. I have also seen a few passengers travelling from Peterlee to Seaham too. Also the X7 is about 30 minutes apart from the 21/X21. There is also the passengers who may use the East Durham services and then get the X7 to Sunderland and won't want to use two different operators because it would cost more.
X7 - 30 mins
X21 - 26 mins
I really think passengers will just stick to what they currently use.. the 21 and 22 may loose a few to the X21 though but it only runs hourly and the X7 and X21 don't leave at the same time.
RE: Arriva bus changes!