(22 May 2021, 1:19 pm)peter wrote While I agree that starting competition now is unlikely, (ANE's current reduced frequencies are clearly so for a reason), it's apparent that GNE have considered extending their territory in Durham with that potential extension to Brandon (which I think was squashed due to concerns about operational logistics during the pandemic). However, I still maintain it would be interesting to see GNE stretch their wings in the Durham area and to see how Arriva would respond.OK1 went in summertime 2013, X66 didn't go MAX until December 2014 with the X67 being introduced in October 2015.
I often feel as though Arriva are quite complacent, and a bit of healthy competition would no doubt kick their arse into gear. The prime example I can think of is the OK1. GNE introduced the OK1 between Crook and Darlington when at the time Arriva operated a half hourly frequency between Crook and Darlington on service 1. All of a sudden after the introduction of the OK1, Arriva introduced the X1 between Crook and Darlington, a quicker service providing a combined 15 minute frequency between those two destinations. Now obviously we know the OK1 ended up being withdrawn, and while Arriva's frequency to Crook did end up being reduced back down to half hourly, the frequency between Darlington and Bishop Auckland remained and still remains at 15 minutes. I doubt that the X1 would have been introduced if it weren't for the OK1 and so while the competing operator failed, it generated a benefit for passengers in the long-term. Similarly before the OK1 was withdrawn it was also extended to Middlesbrough, which saw Arriva respond by increasing their frequency from every 20 minutes to every 15 minutes through the new X67 - a service which still exists today, despite the removal of the OK1. Overall my point is that were GNE to trial some additional services within Durham, even if they didn't end up being successful it might 'encourage' ANE to up their game a bit, providing a benefit for passengers in the long run.
Do agree about the competition forcing Arriva to act accordingly, to some extents I wish the same could happen again in some instances to hopefully improve Arriva's offering. On the flip side of the coin, GNE seem to lose out on some corridors against Arriva such as Hartlepool with the 55 being curtailed at Peterlee although on the plus side at least, having the 55 run hourly looping via Station Town & Hutton Henry is better than the previous 206 running on a rather sporadic timetable.