(01 Sep 2023, 8:55 am)Storx wrote Is it even that much of a money maker though? I'd be surprised if it's anywhere near the top of the list. Yes it gets good loads but it's the same passengers for over an hour, some two hours and outside the Summer isn't particularly busy at all.
Let's say each bus averaged 60 PAX per journey (which it probably roughly is) at £7 it's only £420 over 2 hours and the Diesel costs must be through the roof bombing across the Moors. It's the same with the X9/X10 with GNE (which had their frequency cut).
Compared to say the X21 at Ashington which might have 10 PAX from Newbiggin to Ashington, 10 to Bedlington, 30 through to Newcastle, 15 in between somewhere and can do 2 trips in the same time roughly. That's 130 PAX in the same at roughly lets say £4.50 it's £585 and the Diesel costs won't be anywhere near as high.
Slightly off topic but relevant to long distance journeys, I wonder how much more money Arriva in this instance make from the government by selling £2 fares from Middlesbrough to Scarborough to those only travelling to Guisborough or Whitby?
Lots of other examples too, I been issued a ticket to the end of the route lots of times when I'm not going that far. It's the same £2 cost, and easy for the drivers to issue - but presumably the bus company charges the extra to the government?
Not sure how it works exactly, someone can probably enlighten me, but it does seem like its an easy way for the bus companies to make extra cash.