(20 May 2013, 9:36 am)Andreos1 wrote GNE have stated numerous times they need to make a certain amount based on a pence/pound per mile versus fuel, insurance and wage costs ratio to ensure the service is viable.
I wonder how that formula applies to the OK1. The full route is approximately 30 miles in length between Bishop Auckland and Middlesbrough; the cost of a return ticket for this journey is £4.40. So lets give a conservative approximation of, say, 45 miles for the round trip there and back. Rounding up, the price per mile (£4.40/45) is £0.098. Bear in mind that insurance, maintenance and wage costs must taken out of that figure.
Now, lets look at the 71 and apply the same formula. The full route is approximately 7.5 miles in length between Chester-le-Street and Houghton-le-Spring. Based upon the £3.15 single fare between these destinations, the lowest price of a return is likely to be £4.40 (it may well be £5.50 - I don't know) so we'll use that figure for our calculations. The price per mile (£4.40/15) for this journey comes to £0.293 when rounding is applied.
Conclusion: The Earl of Scarborough must charge a pretty penny to allow GNE to operate buses past the grounds of Lumley Castle.