(13 May 2016, 6:09 pm)tyresmoke wrote Spot on - an all day service until 5pm would cost too much as it would require another bus to be able to run their existing contracts, which would probably push the costs of the 99 over what they were willing to take on. If it fits between existing stuff then you're only really needing to cover the wages and fuel... Am I right in thinking this is a commercial punt by Compass CT?
I would think it is a short-notice emergency contract to cover what is deemed a 'socially necessary' service, as opposed to a commercial venture.
The early morning 99A journeys remain operated by Go North East (secured by Nexus), albeit now numbered 135/136.