(01 Jul 2020, 7:43 pm)Big O wrote A lifeline they still pay for...It's not free even if it is advertised as free. You pay somehow whether through council tax or whatever other means. If it were free then you couldn't complain.

With regards to me, when waiting at a bus stop, I'd like a bus to show up to run the bus route. Not a greenhouse or freezer dependent on the season. 

I do like the tendered services, coming from London I prefer that model, but if the contracted company isn't all that great and make a decent return which doesn't seem to be reinvested into the business, then why not stop awarding them these services. As I said Stanley Travel look like a fantastic company with a very professional image, I would love it if they had the majority of the tendered services. Another is A-Line. I'm all for the small firms if they actually do as they're supposed to.

I'm not sure what you mean by 'free'.

The greenhouse/freezer situation you describe isn't unique to these independents, just as missing out sections of the route isn't.

Streetlites aren't my favourite vehicles and they're often like greenhouses in the summer. The need to add an extra opening window to a batch post-delivery emphasises the design-flaw of them. The pleather seats aren't comfortable during the hot weather and can be just as uncomfortable in the colder months. 
Does that mean they're not suitable, like the vehicles you mention? 
Sitting towards the rear of the downstairs saloon on a B9 is painful in the warm weather due to the heat thrown out by the engine. Sitting above the driver in the winter is horrendous due to the whistling and wind blowing through. Does that mean they're not suitable?