(30 Sep 2020, 7:05 pm)Driver9*** wrote I can't see GNE or Stagecoach wanting the Arriva operations. The only depot making any kind of profit was Blyth, Ashington barely broke even and Jesmond has been a loss maker for years, add in covid and it becomes even less attractive.

• Blyth would be a good money maker for Stagecoach particularly the X10/X11 which fit into their high frequency route profile.
  
  
• Ashington with some investment and proper marketing would fit perfectly under GNE's 'XLines' brand. The 35 is a similar type of route to the X5/X15 out of Consett and could imagine GNE providing some decent investment although perhaps not under XLines. Ashington would also allow GNE to keep running the long 19's viably and reduce dead mileage.
  
  
• Jesmond would again be good for GNE as that could just be split between Percy Main & Riverside depending on how GNE would restructure the incoming and existing routes to provide parity. Could also create growth in North Tyneside and create a business case to replace Percy Main depot with a new depot.