(01 Jul 2020, 1:36 pm)Andreos1 wrote These independents aren't unique in missing out sections. Whether authorised by control for 'operational reasons' or not, I've more than one experience as a passenger of seeing one of the bigger boys miss sections of the route.

I'm not sure that would suddenly stop, should the bigger boys decide to operate these services commercially, rather than the taxpayer fund it. 
One positive of a contracted service not running or operating, is the potential for financial clawback. Would that be the case with say GNE and a commercial service?

What might be a 'terrible, terrible vehicle' to you or others, is a lifeline to those living on the route. Dunno about you, but I'd rather a 'terrible, terrible vehicle' rock up, than nothing at all.

Some of the people on this forum would die if they knew all of what went on with services. There was several times in my previous job we just didn't run "registered services" as there was no demand or missed sections of route out. I know because I did it myself! We've all done it at big companies too... one memorable one for me was Christmas Eve and finishing my last trip 15 minutes early... carried nobody of course.