(22 Apr 2020, 11:57 am)S830OFT wrote One I would suggest is some journeys on service X10 to extend to Redcar to attempt to grow demand. This would also allow Redcar to have access to a bus to Stockton, Dalton Park & Newcastle...
As much as new links would be provided, I'm not sure it would be successful.
There is already a 15 minute express service between Middlesbrough and Redcar.
Whilst competition is encouraged by all, bus operators are also realistic. You don't see many operators competing at such an obvious and broad level anymore, purely because there is no appetite to do so (unless the service they intend to compete with is absolutely useless or not catering to the demand) as they are all acutely aware that the 'retaliation' could be more severe somewhere else.
The last time GNE competed with Arriva (OK1) was because Arriva were literally milking the 1/1B corridor and we're not catering to the demand. It didn't work for GNE as the reaction was immediate.
I would expect a similar type of response if the X10 was extended to Redcar, but not necessarily in the same place.