In regards to Service X24 - I was on the 13:55 run from the Metrocentre to Chester-le-Street yesterday. I'd say we left with no more than half a dozen people on.The X22 is hourly and X24 is every 2 hours and Arriva no longer run the X24 during school term time and from January the X24 will no longer run on a Sunday either.
I'd hate to know what it's like on a Sunday! However, I'm of a fervent belief that Service X22 is more popular purely because of it's frequency, and route. Service X24 always hit traffic on the several times I've used it to and from the Metrocentre, and the result is a constant delay throughout the route.
The X22/X24 run pretty much the same route except the X22 stops at all stops between Durham and Birtley while the X24 observes the same stops as the X2, also like we've mentioned alot about the X2 their is no Arriva service to connect to after Framwellgate Moor so unless you live close to a bus stop that the X24 stops at your unlikely to pick up any fare paying customers.