(28 Dec 2016, 8:08 pm)Crusader wrote Exactly - there is competition on all routes - the car! Just because only one operator runs a service doesn't mean there is no competition. It's in the operators interest to run a quality service where people want to go, otherwise they'll use a car instead, and operators won't have a business anymore. there's no point having two operators run a service and neither of them carry enough passengers to cover costs
You sort of miss the point with that analogy. The car is competition for one off users. Take a group of friends going from Low Fell to Birtley. Anymore than 2 and a taxi is cheaper, that really shouldn't be the case. Bus companies aren't ever going to beat or try to beat the car in provincial towns and cities.
The vast majority of bus users are not by choice. They don't or cannot drive and they are at the whim and mercy of monopolies, poor timetabling and inflation busting fares.
With all due respect, when the vast majority of forum members get older and begin to rely on public transport at full fares and perhaps live away from flagship routes they'll get out of the enthusiast bubble and realise all operators are no better than any big business, they just lack the customer service and foresight to grow.