(05 Nov 2022, 10:06 am)peter wrote The 10/11 and 317 are Nexus contracts...I'd hardly give them credit for making a good go of them, that's what they've been contracted to do. It could be Go North East or more likely Gateshead Central Taxis running them by March. 

If you exclude them, Stagecoach don't currently operate commercially within the area, they operate within the city of Newcastle. Arriva operate to Cramlington, Whitley Bay etc so it makes sense for the 43/44/45 and 51/52/53/54 to stay with them. 

The 55 I could actually see in Stagecoach's network - most likely I see Arriva withdrawing it and it ending up a Nexus contract that Stagecoach could win. 

I agree the 685 would make much more sense with Stagecoach.

Aren't the 10/11 and 317 run with some 'commercial risk' though?

43/44/45 go into Gosforth which Stagecoach has a fair bit of presence. Plus Stagecoach running the 43/44/45 would keep the CMA happy with there being 'some' competition with Arriva.

51 fair enough, 52/53 both serve Forest Hall and Killingworth plus surrounding areas which have Stagecoach presence as does the 54. CMA again should be alright as Arriva also have the X7/X8 operating in parts.

55 you might be right.

685 would make sense with Stagecoach.