(11 Feb 2015, 2:59 pm)gtom wrote I dunno, X2 loadings seem to be growing and with decent marketing and more publicity around stopping points they could do well. The 21 ain't a popular service but if you speak to anyone the last time it was reliable was back in the 90s during the Classic 21 vs the Northern 221 wars
They lack oomph (as we like to say on here) but I don't find 'em that comfortable at all.
I would like to see the passenger numbers on the X2 grow as I think the X2 is a decent service and it also allows me to get to/from Gateshead and Newcastle without needing to change operators.
Hopefully with good marketing the X2 passenger numbers will grow and more people should be made aware of it. The weekday 1555 X2 from Newcastle often seems to be carrying a decent load.
I'll be honest I don't love the hybrids, yes they may be quiet but they don't feel that smooth to ride. Although the main reason I won't ride them is because they are on service 21, the last time I used the 21 at least one journey disappeared and it took just under an hour to get to Newcastle from Chester! Because we stopped at almost every bloody stop, after this I have vowed never to get on another 21 except for short hops and on an evening where there is no alternative bus.