(24 May 2023, 4:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Don't think it's worth creating a new thread (far too many of them), so this seemed the most suitable.

It's clear that operators across the region are reducing their PVR's. With older vehicles coming to the end of their lives, replacements not forthcoming (for whatever reason that may be) and subsequently, frequencies are reducing.

I've made my thoughts on the state of the network clear and I want to make clear, that this specific post isn't relating to the network. 

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.

This might come as a bit controversial from me but personally I wouldn't be bothered about some PVR reductions, if the changes were sensible.

Like to pick an example the 1 and X1 between Darlington and Tow Law. There's probably too much capacity there so why not up the 1 to every 20 minutes, ran by Deckers and scrap the X1. You've reduced the PVR but at the same time increased the frequency so it's a win/win.

Other examples are stuff like the 6 and 7 in Hartlepool. Would it really be the end of the world if they were both reduced to every 15 minutes but then allocated Decker's instead. Same / more capacity, less driver's / vehicles and there's no big difference between every 10 and 15 minutes really. Even the likes of the 30/31/36 in Newcastle could arguably fit that then those MMC's could be used to sort out the singles problem if they could get some of the displaced Deckers elsewhere as long as ran the 30/31 all the way through in the West End, a 15 minute service would be more than enough for the core of the route.

There has been some examples of it ie. 1 and 2 at Blyth, X66/X67 merger at Darlington but across the main it's not happening - they're sensible cuts imo. Removing routes altogether on the other hand isn't or reducing frequencies with the same buses as that's leaving no future growth.