The upcoming cuts got me thinking about how much of a success xlines has or hasn't been. Since it was introduced there have been the following changes.

X6 dropped from the brand.
X21 reduced back to half hourly from every 15 minutes to Durham.
X9 withdrawn.
X10 reduced to 2 hourly on Sundays.
X47 dropped from the brand.
X45/46 reduced from 4bph-3bph then x46 withdrawn. 
X30 extended to Consett then extension withdrawn.
X30/31 frequency reduced from every 15 minutes to half hourly.
X20 upgraded from minibus to full size singles.
X20 Sunday service introduced then withdrawn between Sunderland and Durham.
X72 introduced.

Bearing this in mind I am interested to hear as to whether people believe xlines has been a success or not and to what degree. This is intended as a debate not just a p*ssing contest. Feel free to let me know if I have missed any changes and I will amend the list.

I'd say that Xlines in the Consett and Stanley areas is no different to what Arriva did with their comparable routes out to Ashington, Blyth and Morpeth - bringing them up to date with modern, comfortable buses...just 5-10 years too late. A welcome development in vehicle terms, anyway.

As for everywhere else, it hasn't really added anything to what was already on offer. The X1, X9, X10, X21, X84 and X85 were already at, or close enough, to the new "standards" of the mid-2010s, so Xlines hasn't built upon anything.

Personally I think it was a mistake and removed well known recognisable brands, in particular the Red Kite, and replaced them with a different paint job for no real reason and no real change either bar sticking an X on some routes.

It's just an upgraded version of Arriva MAX / Sapphire and Stagecoach Gold really and they've done the right thing and got shot of them all and have just made the standard livery pretty much the same spec now. Arriva MAX by the end was (is - since half of it still exists) a mess aswell but at least everything on there got some form of refurb so there was actually a change; there's literally Merc's and the B5's running around in outdated interior with the new interior being on routes such as the 97 and then there's routes like the X21 which had a paint job and nothing else changed. Not to mention there's no spares for them so when one breaks you're left with a 55 plate unrefurbished Omnidekka for 2 hours in some cases. Imagine ringing a taxi and being promised a luxury car and a 55 plate Skoda Octavia turned up, you wouldn't be happy.

Not to mention it doesn't make sense when they've got individual brands. It made sense at Arriva and Stagecoach (we didn't get gold) as it was totally different whereas with GNE it isn't clear and it's all just a confused mess.

You missed the X84/X85 aswell btw.

(28 Jun 2022, 10:26 pm)Storx wrote Personally I think it was a mistake and removed well known recognisable brands, in particular the Red Kite, and replaced them with a different paint job for no real reason and no real change either bar sticking an X on some routes.

It's just an upgraded version of Arriva MAX / Sapphire and Stagecoach Gold really and they've done the right thing and got shot of them all and have just made the standard livery pretty much the same spec now. Arriva MAX by the end was a mess aswell but at least everything on there got some form of refurb so there was actually a change; there's literally Merc's and the B5's running around in outdated interior with the new interior being on routes such as the 97 and then there's routes like the X21 which had a paint job and nothing else changed. Not to mention there's no spares for them so when one breaks you're left with a 55 plate unrefurbished Omnidekka for 2 hours in some cases. Imagine ringing a taxi and being promised a luxury car and a 55 plate Skoda Octavia turned up, you wouldn't be happy.

You missed the X84/X85 aswell btw.

But...they used to have X21 GNE plate

(28 Jun 2022, 10:28 pm)Unber43 wrote But...they used to have X21 GNE plate

tbf the state of them I wouldn't be surprised if people got confused and thought they were an X reg bus (2000). They wouldn't look out of place with B7's etc.

With Xlines and most of these branding changes/launches recently, I feel they maybe could've taken off but it felt a bit too late to the party and then COVID hitting impeded much chance of it taking off in the manner they probs had hoped it maybe could've done.

With the amount of changes in services and brandings over the last several years, the liklihood of making a major impact and standing out is less likely to make too much of a difference especially when quite a few of them [eg Country Ranger] were literally just a new coat of paint, the introduction of WiFi and charging points on buses was quite a big thing at the time of introduction to many but since then they're just there and we know they're usually present now so is less impactful and not much else has come along since to change the experience.

X Lines worked for some routes. Failed for others

X1 & X20 worked fine. Rest are just getting worse day by day.

Different buses to the X21
X9 withdrawn as mentioned & X10 down to 2 hours on a Sunday. Plus not to mention the failed Coaches

Wasted money on the X84/X85

X47 was pointless as its now stand alone alongside the 47A. Wouldn't be surprised the X47 makes a return with the withdrawn of the 47A and the 47 non stopping between Newcastle & Metrocentre (yes that's what warrant the X45/X46)

X30/X31 I can't really fault as I see them as good routes.

X5/X15 upgraded to Volvo B5LH for no reason whatsoever (find me a reason what the StreetDeck were doing wrong)

Can't really comment on the X70/X71 as I've never used them

To be honest, GNE have the perfect opportunity now to nail the X21 down with a stable and robust fleet of E400MMCs (subject to any evening & Sunday interworking patterns at Consett) as the X70/X71/X72 will standalone.....and match the exact PVR of 7x to utilise 6308-14. 6334-35 should NOT fill the PVR of a route even by 1x vehicle and instead should be put into a spare role like intended.

If 9x E400MMC and 9x B5TL were swapped between Consett and Riverside (replacing CLS), you'd have:

E400MMC
- 6338-40 - X30/X31
- 6341-42 - Consett spare (low height)
- 6343-50 - X21
- 6351 - Riverside spare
- 6352-55 - X10

The above would keep the X10 & X21 the same vehicle type, handy if both put on the same rota and would give a decent spare which could last a full day on the X10.

As for Consett, there'd be enough E400MMC even if the X30/X72 interworked on Sundays (PVR 4) still leaving 1x spare.

B5TL
- 6308-14 - X70/X71/X72
- 6334-35 - Consett spare (can be used on anything except X30/X31)

Last time I used the X10 a couple of weeks ago, it was really busy and was struggling to keep to time. I'd argue an increase in frequency Mon-Sat would be useful, or better still bring back the X9 so that the X10 can save time by not serving Billingham and Peterlee.

(28 Jun 2022, 10:28 pm)Unber43 wrote But...they used to have X21 GNE plate

And they still do - it's currently on 6334.

(29 Jun 2022, 8:02 am)tvd wrote Last time I used the X10 a couple of weeks ago, it was really busy and was struggling to keep to time.  I'd argue an increase in frequency Mon-Sat would be useful, or better still bring back the X9 so that the X10 can save time by not serving Billingham and Peterlee.

But the X9 didn't have enough passengers so it was withdrawn

I wrote something on this back in January with the withdrawal of the X84/X85: https://www.busesandbeyond.co.uk/2022/01...or-hexham/

(28 Jun 2022, 10:07 pm)User2613 wrote The upcoming cuts got me thinking about how much of a success xlines has or hasn't been. Since it was introduced there have been the following changes.

X6 dropped from the brand.
X21 reduced back to half hourly from every 15 minutes to Durham.
X9 withdrawn.
X10 reduced to 2 hourly on Sundays.
X47 dropped from the brand.
X45/46 reduced from 4bph-3bph then x46 withdrawn. 
X30 extended to Consett then extension withdrawn.
X30/31 frequency reduced from every 15 minutes to half hourly.
X20 upgraded from minibus to full size singles.
X20 Sunday service introduced then withdrawn between Sunderland and Durham.
X72 introduced.

Bearing this in mind I am interested to hear as to whether people believe xlines has been a success or not and to what degree. This is intended as a debate not just a p*ssing contest. Feel free to let me know if I have missed any changes and I will amend the list.

I'm probably going to repeat things I've said already on the forum and other people have said here and elsewhere.

The short answer is no. It hasn't been a success. 
The longer answer probably needs more analysis than I can offer on here, but in a nutshell we were told repeatedly that titivations, replacing new tables with newer ones and paint jobs was going to attract punters post-lockdown.
It was never likely to work and it hasn't. 

Quite why those things coupled with an X prefix would convince even the most open minded of bus users to stick with it beyond the first ride (when those punters would see through the fur coat to see no knickers) is beyond me.
Regardless of all that. If the bus doesn't take people to the places they need to be, it won't work. Pandemic or otherwise. *

Im looking at the time, effort and money spent on these routes and struggle to see how any of it was justified.

A brave attempt, but ultimately flawed.
5.5/10.

*on a slightly connected note. Someone shared MG's tweet about a P&R site near the Angel yesterday, alongside a photo of cars stuck in traffic coming up from TVTE. Brilliant idea. Stick one there. Got no issue with one being there.
Just make sure the buses go to the places the cars/people are going to and from. Not where the operator insists on taking them to and from.

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(29 Jun 2022, 9:44 am)Aaron21 wrote But the X9 didn't have enough passengers so it was withdrawn

I think it's easy to say it didn't have enough passengers.
At times, it clearly did. On the other hand, I do think its temporary withdrawal during covid had an impact. 

To sum the situation up: If the operator is struggling for vehicle and driver resource and its possible to combine loads and save money at the same time as sorting out vehicle and driver issues... Then merging the two is an easy way out.

I'd just hope they thought about those passengers now inconvenienced by the merger and who don't have the loyalty towards the longer/more restricted  (soon to be even more restricted!) X10, than they did towards the flexibility the combined X9 & X10 offered.

I agree the withdrawal of the X9 during Covid made sense as a temporary measure, but to do so permanently is disappointing when the industry is wanting to get more passengers back to the bus.

Now we have just the hourly and longer journey from Middlesbrough to Newcastle, it certainly makes it less appealing and convenient than it was before. I'll use it less often, or maybe even break the journey or use Arriva's X12 when that wouldn't have been a consideration before.

There's always that balance between trying to serve as many passengers as possible, but also make journeys quick and frequent. Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I think 'X' express services should go pretty direct routes and not stop or divert all over the place, and they've made a mistake by putting too much onto the X10 route, in my opinion.

(01 Jul 2022, 8:22 am)tvd wrote I agree the withdrawal of the X9 during Covid made sense as a temporary measure, but to do so permanently is disappointing when the industry is wanting to get more passengers back to the bus.

Now we have just the hourly and longer journey from Middlesbrough to Newcastle, it certainly makes it less appealing and convenient than it was before.  I'll use it less often, or maybe even break the journey or use Arriva's X12 when that wouldn't have been a consideration before.

There's always that balance between trying to serve as many passengers as possible, but also make journeys quick and frequent.  Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I think 'X' express services should go pretty direct routes and not stop or divert all over the place, and they've made a mistake by putting too much onto the X10 route, in my opinion.

I agree with you. When first introduced in the 1980's the advert was every hour in an hour. sadly not any more.

All the B5s were transferring to Consett for the 16/16A, leaving 4 free. Had to put them somewhere and the X5/X15 had that correct PVR for them. I see no other logical reason why 6301-6304 were taken off other than that. In reality why they made the 15/15A into the X5/X15 and upgraded to Xlines i dont really understand, for that matter why the added X to the 45/46/47 when there's no difference to route, albeit non stop between Metrocentre and Newcastle.

(01 Jul 2022, 11:12 am)Stanleyone wrote for that matter why the added X to the 45/46/47 when there's no difference to route, albeit non stop between Metrocentre and Newcastle.

Will the 47 regain its X now its proposed to run non stop between Metrocentre and Newcastle?

(01 Jul 2022, 8:22 am)tvd wrote I agree the withdrawal of the X9 during Covid made sense as a temporary measure, but to do so permanently is disappointing when the industry is wanting to get more passengers back to the bus.

Now we have just the hourly and longer journey from Middlesbrough to Newcastle, it certainly makes it less appealing and convenient than it was before.  I'll use it less often, or maybe even break the journey or use Arriva's X12 when that wouldn't have been a consideration before.

There's always that balance between trying to serve as many passengers as possible, but also make journeys quick and frequent.  Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I think 'X' express services should go pretty direct routes and not stop or divert all over the place, and they've made a mistake by putting too much onto the X10 route, in my opinion.

Surely anyone wanting the route from end to end would use the train... which is quicker and a hell of a lot more reliable.

The point of the route now is Newcastle - Dalton Park / Peterlee and Dalton Park / Peterlee to Stockton / Middlesbrough. 

Taking those out would kill the thing altogether imo. Personally I think the route is fine now. 

Now discussion about lack of bus / train integration and the poor line between the two cities / lack of the quicker trains via Stillington is another debate.

(01 Jul 2022, 8:22 am)tvd wrote I agree the withdrawal of the X9 during Covid made sense as a temporary measure, but to do so permanently is disappointing when the industry is wanting to get more passengers back to the bus.

Now we have just the hourly and longer journey from Middlesbrough to Newcastle, it certainly makes it less appealing and convenient than it was before.  I'll use it less often, or maybe even break the journey or use Arriva's X12 when that wouldn't have been a consideration before. 

There's always that balance between trying to serve as many passengers as possible, but also make journeys quick and frequent.  Maybe I'm old fashioned, but I think 'X' express services should go pretty direct routes and not stop or divert all over the place, and they've made a mistake by putting too much onto the X10 route, in my opinion.

I think another key factor in this, is ticketing.

I can't see many travelling uniquely between Newcastle City Centre and either of the town centres on its route. People need to get that 'first and last mile' and for some, a GNE or Explorer ticket or route isn't going to be the best option. Despite it possibly being the case in the recent past. 
As an example, for those living on an ANE route on Teesside and feeding in to Middlesbrough or Stockton - the X12 suddenly becomes more attractive.
If I was working in ANE towers, I'd be looking at how I could make it even more attractive.

(29 Jun 2022, 10:56 am)Adrian wrote I wrote something on this back in January with the withdrawal of the X84/X85: https://www.busesandbeyond.co.uk/2022/01...or-hexham/

Exploiting the gap in the conversation to plug your blog. You can tell you don't work for the commercial team of certain local operator who claims that they're 'better than ever'!

(01 Jul 2022, 11:35 am)ne14ne1 wrote Will the 47 regain its X now its proposed to run non stop between Metrocentre and Newcastle?

Highly doubt that

(01 Jul 2022, 11:41 am)Storx wrote Surely anyone wanting the route from end to end would use the train... which is quicker and a hell of a lot more reliable.

The point of the route now is Newcastle - Dalton Park / Peterlee and Dalton Park / Peterlee to Stockton / Middlesbrough. 

Taking those out would kill the thing altogether imo. Personally I think the route is fine now. 

Now discussion about lack of bus / train integration and the poor line between the two cities / lack of the quicker trains via Stillington is another debate.

I'm a few miles from Saltburn station, so for me on a day out up north it'd be an Explorer ticket, an Arriva bus to Middlesbrough then the X10 up to Heworth, then Metro to wherever takes my fancy around Tyne & Wear and Newcastle.

I guess it's just one of my frustrations that in these modern, fast-paced times, the bus industry locally has done very little to incorporate genuinely express services into its routes. We're all bus enthusiasts here so will use them anyway, but I'm sure a lot of potential passengers must be put off by certain longer distance routes taking so long and stopping at so many stops.

It's not just GNE- there's nothing quick to get from East Cleveland to Middlesbrough, or from Middlesbrough to Durham, or Middlesbrough to Newcastle, or Darlington to Durham, etc. Trunk routes where you'd think there'd be at least some effort to work in a fast, direct and reasonable frequent service.

(01 Jul 2022, 11:41 am)Storx wrote Surely anyone wanting the route from end to end would use the train... which is quicker and a hell of a lot more reliable. 

The point of the route now is Newcastle - Dalton Park / Peterlee and Dalton Park / Peterlee to Stockton / Middlesbrough. 

Taking those out would kill the thing altogether imo. Personally I think the route is fine now. 

Now discussion about lack of bus / train integration and the poor line between the two cities / lack of the quicker trains via Stillington is another debate.

When I'm doing EC to T&W or vice versa, the mode of transport I use depends how many people I'm travelling with and where the end point is in comparison to the nearest bus stop or railway station.

There's so many factors beyond just the duration of the trip.

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(02 Jul 2022, 10:01 am)tvd wrote I'm a few miles from Saltburn station, so for me on a day out up north it'd be an Explorer ticket, an Arriva bus to Middlesbrough then the X10 up to Heworth, then Metro to wherever takes my fancy around Tyne & Wear and Newcastle.  

I guess it's just one of my frustrations that in these modern, fast-paced times, the bus industry locally has done very little to incorporate genuinely express services into its routes.  We're all bus enthusiasts here so will use them anyway, but I'm sure a lot of potential passengers must be put off by certain longer distance routes taking so long and stopping at so many stops.

It's not just GNE- there's nothing quick to get from East Cleveland to Middlesbrough, or from Middlesbrough to Durham, or Middlesbrough to Newcastle, or Darlington to Durham, etc.  Trunk routes where you'd think there'd be at least some effort to work in a fast, direct and reasonable frequent service.

And again, those factors will play a huge part in your journey.

A bus or teesflex to Saltburn is going to cost in addition to any train tickets from Saltburn onwards.
Then there's connection times at Saltburn and Middlesbrough/Thornaby/Darlo and the same back.

The choice of 5 or 6 buses per hour (up until fairly recently) north out of Middlesbrough towards T&W and being included in your initial ticket purchase was a huge positive.

Now... Well there's not that many buses north and they all take an age.
It's not really that much of a positive versus the train anymore.

When I'm out travelling, I'll be using quite a few buses, so I'll have an Explorer in my pocket ..... at that point, buying an additional ticket to travel between two points that are also connected by a bus route becomes just an additional expense, despite the speed differential.

Having said that, slowing the route and halving the frequency does make me somewhat rethink where I might go on my days out!

(02 Jul 2022, 10:01 am)tvd wrote I'm a few miles from Saltburn station, so for me on a day out up north it'd be an Explorer ticket, an Arriva bus to Middlesbrough then the X10 up to Heworth, then Metro to wherever takes my fancy around Tyne & Wear and Newcastle. 

I guess it's just one of my frustrations that in these modern, fast-paced times, the bus industry locally has done very little to incorporate genuinely express services into its routes.  We're all bus enthusiasts here so will use them anyway, but I'm sure a lot of potential passengers must be put off by certain longer distance routes taking so long and stopping at so many stops.

It's not just GNE- there's nothing quick to get from East Cleveland to Middlesbrough, or from Middlesbrough to Durham, or Middlesbrough to Newcastle, or Darlington to Durham, etc.  Trunk routes where you'd think there'd be at least some effort to work in a fast, direct and reasonable frequent service.

I get what your saying but tbh it's more about the absolutely shocking train/bus connections aswell. Like in an ideal world you'd be able to get a bus to the train station then hop onto the train to go further distances whether that's Newcastle, Durham or whatever.

In the real world though buses go nowhere near the stations and instead do long winded meandering trips around everywhere. Even if it does mean changing trains but then they'd be connected to meet aswell, unlike what really happens is you'll come in then the other train pulls out just beforehand with an hour wait etc.

I don't know Saltburn too well but no doubt the bus bypasses it or it's a 15 minute walk between the two, nothing connects so you'll be waiting 20 minutes or so and you can't use the same ticket on either.

The fact in 2022 there's no bus / rail / metro ticket is mind boggling really. Then they wonder why people drive. imo it should be cycling/public transport vs car in reality it's cycling vs buses vs Metro vs trains vs cars

(02 Jul 2022, 10:01 am)tvd wrote I'm a few miles from Saltburn station, so for me on a day out up north it'd be an Explorer ticket, an Arriva bus to Middlesbrough then the X10 up to Heworth, then Metro to wherever takes my fancy around Tyne & Wear and Newcastle. 

I guess it's just one of my frustrations that in these modern, fast-paced times, the bus industry locally has done very little to incorporate genuinely express services into its routes.  We're all bus enthusiasts here so will use them anyway, but I'm sure a lot of potential passengers must be put off by certain longer distance routes taking so long and stopping at so many stops.

It's not just GNE- there's nothing quick to get from East Cleveland to Middlesbrough, or from Middlesbrough to Durham, or Middlesbrough to Newcastle, or Darlington to Durham, etc.  Trunk routes where you'd think there'd be at least some effort to work in a fast, direct and reasonable frequent service.

Is some of the reasoning behind them being considered express routes despite all the stops not because people don’t get on at all of the stops? I mean the X45 and X46 pretty much carry fresh air between shotley and rowlands gill most of the time. (I know they have the X prefix because of the metrocentre) Unless they decide to cancel 6 services at consett, of course.

(02 Jul 2022, 2:55 pm)Storx wrote I get what your saying but tbh it's more about the absolutely shocking train/bus connections aswell. Like in an ideal world you'd be able to get a bus to the train station then hop onto the train to go further distances whether that's Newcastle, Durham or whatever.

In the real world though buses go nowhere near the stations and instead do long winded meandering trips around everywhere. Even if it does mean changing trains but then they'd be connected to meet aswell, unlike what really happens is you'll come in then the other train pulls out just beforehand with an hour wait etc.

I don't know Saltburn too well but no doubt the bus bypasses it or it's a 15 minute walk between the two, nothing connects so you'll be waiting 20 minutes or so and you can't use the same ticket on either. 

The fact in 2022 there's no bus / rail / metro ticket is mind boggling really. Then they wonder why people drive. imo it should be cycling/public transport vs car in reality it's cycling vs buses vs Metro vs trains vs cars

Saltburn isn't too bad. The station is in the centre of the town and the bus stops are less than a minutes walk on the square.
4 buses an hour towards Middlesbrough and 4 buses an hour towards the EC villages. Plus the Coatham 18 and Teesflex services.

But that's where it ends. No ticketing integration that I'm aware of at all.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ufrs2nrg19Gbhmjm7

(02 Jul 2022, 3:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Saltburn isn't too bad. The station is in the centre of the town and the bus stops are less than a minutes walk on the square.
4 buses an hour towards Middlesbrough and 4 buses an hour towards the EC villages. Plus the Coatham 18 and Teesflex services.

But that's where it ends. No ticketing integration that I'm aware of at all.

Saltburn-by-the-Sea
https://maps.app.goo.gl/ufrs2nrg19Gbhmjm7

Ah buggar aye, know it now. Nice little place actually with the cliff lift. Yeah your right actually they are close, complete polar opposite to Redcar (no offence anyone who lives there).

(28 Jun 2022, 10:55 pm)Aaron21 wrote X Lines worked for some routes. Failed for others

X1 & X20 worked fine. Rest are just getting worse day by day.

Different buses to the X21
X9 withdrawn as mentioned & X10 down to 2 hours on a Sunday. Plus not to mention the failed Coaches

Wasted money on the X84/X85

X47 was pointless as its now stand alone alongside the 47A. Wouldn't be surprised the X47 makes a return with the withdrawn of the 47A and the 47 non stopping between Newcastle & Metrocentre (yes that's what warrant the X45/X46)

X30/X31 I can't really fault as I see them as good routes.

X5/X15 upgraded to Volvo B5LH for no reason whatsoever (find me a reason what the StreetDeck were doing wrong)

Can't really comment on the X70/X71 as I've never used them

From someone at Consett. the MMC's saved you getting a fright of your life on the X71. Its lower height to the previous allocation of the ex London Gemini 2's so your not bashing into trees as much. Was a massive upgrade to the X70/X71 biggest it ever saw!

X5/X15 to B5LH will be the same reason why they arrive on the 16. Streetdecks are Euro 6 so can become new spares at Washington for the X1 (if they ever do appear) but used on 50 with Omnidekkas, i guess its to prevent the Omnidekkas and Citaros from appearing on the route (X1).

47/47A are good routes with the B9's. plenty of uphill thrash! however it sucks that the 47A is going as many people loved the return of the ''46A'' in my area

(02 Jul 2022, 9:05 pm)KingSlayerRBLX wrote From someone at Consett. the MMC's saved you getting a fright of your life on the X71. Its lower height to the previous allocation of the ex London Gemini 2's so your not bashing into trees as much. Was a massive upgrade to the X70/X71 biggest it ever saw!

Only reason X70/X71/X72 got E400MMCs originally intended for the X1 pre-covid was because of the interworking patterns involving the X30/X31 which both go through a low bridge in Dusnton that needs a low height decker. That was GNE's thinking when the StreetDecks & E400MMC allocations before delivery were swapped.

But depending on any evening & Sunday interworking patterns (we should find out soon), there'd potentially only be a true need for 5x low height E400MMC at Consett (3x PVR X30/X31+ 2x spare as contingency). Options would be......

Option 1:
- 6338-45 - X30(X31)/X45 (If these interworked)
- 6346-51 - X70/X71/X72
- 6336 - Consett Spare
- 6337 - X70/X71/X72
- 8x StreetDecks to play with(??)

* Would need replacements for 6336 & 6337 at Riverside
* Would only leave 1x low height spare at Consett

Option 2:
- 6338-40 - X30/X31
- 6341-47 - X70/X71/X72
- 6348-51 - Consett spares
- 5x StreetDeck remain for X45 with 3x transferring to Washington.

* Would provide suitable spare cover at Consett (all low height) but having 4x 'nearly new' buses would be overkill

If interworking patterns (including evenings & Sundays) eliminate the need for a significant 'low height' vehicle type at Consett, I wouldn't be surprised to see a swap, with 6308-14 for the X70/X71/X72 (6334-35 also to Consett as spares) with 6343-50 heading to Riverside (incl 6351 as an X10/X21 spare) for the X21. 5x E400MMC would remain at Consett with 3x for the X30/X31 and 2x spare.