(15 Feb 2022, 11:00 pm)busmanT wrote And if we are using the 44B as an example we are going back almost to the dawn of time!!

At least to a different era, before out of town retail parks, out of town business parks and Sunday trading.

We're in a completely different place now, with passenger numbers c25-30% below pre covid but with bus operating costs about 106% of pre-covid (driver wage increase plus extra cleaning costs). Many operators have yet to feel the increase in fuel cost as they are hedged, but that will be the next big cost increase.

the 44b was reverse of what normally happens though. it was secured. made money for nexus ( or tyne and wear PTE as it probably was then) so then a private company... in this case OK motor service took it over as a commercial deal. And from what i remember thats when it used to try to get into the haymaerket bus stand before the 44 from Whitley back to pick up more fares.