In regards to the 230:
I think Go North East introducing a 230 service would be a little irrational. Given that PYGALL'S COACHES now operate the service - perhaps not to a great frequency, but for its usage, its good nonetheless - it would be totally unfair for Go North East to storm in and take the service right back.
Josh told me about Reays copying routes but running them 7 or so minutes earlier than the original. I believe he said something about the route number being similar, but not the same.
Go North East running a mixture of the 202 and 230 service under the number of '230' just takes the mick a little, in my opinion. No doubt GNE will be able to maintain decent passenger numbers, and they wouldn't struggle at all, unlike PYGALL'S. Granted it was 'years ago' when you suggested that, so I shouldn't ramble on a great deal about services now.
In regards to the X9:
Current suggestions have been to run it from Sunderland - to provide those who live in that area with a link to either Middlesbrough (both Josh and I suggested this) or Newcastle (which I also suggested). If the withdrawal of the X3 does go through, I could only imagine that this would be an even better idea. Running it from Peterlee, I can't agree with. One already serves Peterlee, neither serve Sunderland at present. Perhaps would be nice to see it link up to Hartlepool too, but if it ever managed to go from Sunderland, it couldn't happen. That would drastically increase the PVR of the route, and Go North East just don't have the sufficient amount of vehicles to do so. Not only that, but people's journey time would be dramatically increased too. Those wanting to travel from Newcastle to Boro would perhaps have to get the one beforehand to get there at the same time as they do now (or perhaps even the one before that)!
RE: Service Suggestions