(18 Aug 2021, 4:25 pm)omnicity4659 wrote They're costs that come out of my bank account on the day rather than taking into account the overall costs of running a car - which in fairness still apply regardless of which mode of transport I pick for that rare daytime journey into Newcastle, rather than my usual car journeys that'll take 30 minutes in the car but 3 hours on a bus etc.Depends a great deal on how the regime sees fit to expand electric buses. Costs need to reflect investment as well, the majority of car drivers can't afford EVs, and no government is going to underwrite the bill for complete vehicle replacement.
Electric cars will become the norm, and e-scooters may be legalised for private use - both would change my habits. But if buses remain the same, then it'll still be the least favourable option.
Arriva are in an unenviable position of spiralling maintenance costs because of the zero investment as the sale proposition looks less and less attractive to anyone. once again highlighting the frailty of monopolies. Stagecoach and Go should offer alternatives, and the railway re-opening ought to offer greater choice. The bus companies can't keep cutting fares when capital expenditure across the board has been miniscule and that only by GNE.