(08 Jul 2013, 7:29 pm)Andreos1 wrote 'sufferred from the predatory
business practices of larger operators.' A bit like Venture, OK and Diamond did? .

Calvary for example, were (Im sure) around long before de-regulation and yes, they may have had experimental services (just like Northern, OK and Redby did and GNE do currently), but they also had settled services.
Redby were brought about just after the war - because they had some experimental services post de-regulation, does that mean they can't adorn any of GNE liveries in Sunderland?

I'm not disputing that these bus companies existed over a long period of time. I'm arguing that, because they didn't operate passenger services until the 80s and 90s, most passengers probably wouldn't associate these companies with operating successful passenger services. That, I guess, is the big difference. OK, Venture and Diamond have, for the most part, provided passenger services throughout the entirety of their duration before being purchased. Redby or Calvary, on the other hand, existed primarily as a coach operator before becoming passenger service operators. One could probably argue that, if they had not of entered the post-deregulation market, they would still be around today operating coach trips and providing scholars services. The paradox of deregulation strikes again eh?

gtomlinson wroteI used to love using the Low Fell Travel service as a kid. I'm sure it used to drop you off at St Thomas Street or Haymarket too.

It sure did. It's a shame that more services don't use St Thomas Street as terminating point. It's actually quite good for express/long distance services. North or south, buses can enter the city using the Central Motorway East/Claremont Road Interchange, head along past the RVI then down St Thomas Street. Leaving the city, turn left onto Haymarket, along Barass Bridge then you're back on the motorway. It's almost too simple.