(09 May 2021, 1:40 pm)Dan wrote I suppose the difference between Gateshead Central Taxis and commercial operators, is that it's easier for customers to identify when commercial operators don't fulfil their contracts and/or commercial work, as they offer live tracking on mobile apps, and have social media pages where service updates are added during times of service disruption. For their commercial work, services are much more frequent than contracts, which run far less often and could cause more inconvenience to intending passengers if they do not operate (on-time or at all).

Of course, if Gateshead Central Taxis had fulfilled their BODS requirements on-time, this possibly wouldn't be the case...

Sorry, I thought I replied to this at the time. Just realised I hadn't. 

You make some interesting points and I agree with what you have said. Like most things, there are exceptions and you're making assumptions that passengers are able to and/or can access the social media pages or apps.

For a number of years, I've made comments on how some people are unable to access this information for various reasons.
The idea of free broadband for all at the last general election was mocked (probably by those who can afford it), yet broadband and internet poverty still continues. Regardless of any other barriers that exist. 

I've not long seen a post that the vehicle allocated to the 28 broke down and the 18.17 ex Birtley to Newcastle wasn't running.
You know the frequency of that service and you know the market it operates and you can imagine poor Betty who is off to visit her husband at the QE is standing there in the wind and rain, waiting for the bus. 
She's got no access to social media. She doesn't have a smartphone and can barely operate the little old Nokia she does have.

What makes the operator of the 28 stand out above the operator of the 23?
All Betty wants is a bus to turn up - whether it takes her to the shops or to see her husband in hospital. She just wants it to turn up.

The 18.50 ex Newcastle 28 also didn't operate.
It's the only bus that will get Nigel home after a 12 hour shift at the RVI.
Nigel has a smartphone and can access social media too.
Whilst it may reassure him the 19.50 28 might rock up, neither of those things will get him home any quicker.