Maybe the new GNE team are actually being more collaborative than the old regime hence the neutral answer compared to the response from MG.

I actually feel a bit sorry for Stagecoach in all this. They operate a relatively good service and are getting dragged down because GNE and ARRIVA lack commercial acumen.

What happens with the alleged ARRIVA withdrawals and how Stagecoach, GNE or whoever react will be very revealing of where current operators stand and how it will compare to their sister operating companies that have reacted pro-activley to similar operator abandonment elsewhere in the UK.

If they effectively chuck the problem back at NEXUS, I can only see thoughts hardening on franchising. North Tyneside would be an interesting test bed. via the back door.

Mind you, given the colossal mess NEXUS made of QCS and the subsequent fallout, I very much doubt they'd be any better