(24 May 2023, 4:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote What I am keen to look at/discuss is the continual decline of the PVR's/fleet size over the years and the correlation it has/may have with declining passenger numbers.

Fleet reductions aren't exclusive to the post-Covid world and has been happening for years (with some operators more than others), but what I don't get is the long-term strategy that operators may have.

* How can saving money by reducing fleet size, increase profit? It may increase margins, but not profit.
* If numbers start to increase and passengers come back to use the poorer service, will that demand lead to a greater PVR or even newer vehicles?
* At what point do operators cut their losses and cease trading? There's no growth, there's no expansion. It's literally tightening the belt a notch at a time.

If anyone does have data that shows depot PVR reductions/fleet sizes over the years, I'd love to see it in all its glory.

Surely lower costs (less maintenance costs etc.) with the 'same' amount of revenue will increase both profits and margins?

On your second point, some operators might increase PVR (I can't think of any recent cases) but in the majority of cases, I suspect that increased demand will simply mean busier buses, more standees, less seats to fill - which from a business and efficiency point of view is great. Not so much for the customer experience. Too many operators will simply have a 'Tough luck - you get what you're given', 'you'll be glad that the bus shows up' etc. type of attitude.

It's a sad state of affairs.