(16 Dec 2016, 4:41 pm)Jamie M wrote This is true. I didn't however mention that the factors aforementioned were completely irrelevant - it just seems a bit blatant to throw out anything as being a cause for the financial situation, although extrememly easy given the media's representation and a logical reason behind doing so.
The fact that most of the older buses are rattling, slow, stinking metal sheds is a factor, but so is fuel prices going up. The prices of parts to fix and maintain the buses is probably going up, too. There are so many factors which have an effect, that I believe that it's a bit unfair to weigh out one as being the fundamental reason behind it.
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I think you're right in what you say. It may well be that service changes, fares, vehicle quality has had a negative impact on patronage. But all we know is that the company's overall performance is below expectations. The recent service changes in Derwentside might have increased patronage and its other areas which have gone down even more!
Keep in mind Stagecoach have reduced their PVR in Sunderland significantly, who we would probably all agree have low fares, modern vehicles and a stable network - does that suggest there are wider factors at play such as the performance of the North East economy - rather than GNE being an awful bus company?