(16 Aug 2021, 8:36 pm)L469 YVK wrote

• Investment does affect net profit as it needs to be paid for and factored in over a number of years. Ideally, a bus will be depreciated more between 1-8 years (or less if more demanding work) before being moved onto a "secondary" route. The VDL Geminis at Blyth on the 308 & X10/X11 should've been replaced around 2018/19 then cascaded accordingly. And the "right" investments along with a well planned network will help improve efficiency and create growth / profit over a longer term.
  
  
• But what about the "next generation" of bus users in SE Northumberland also taking into account the ABTRL? If they keep experiencing a Gemini in limp mode or a sub-standard B7TL deputising or constantly getting chased by the bus behind due to late running, they're going to be more tempted towards alternative modes of transport.  Again, short term vs long term. GNE are actually making an effort to market and make their services attractive rather than the dreary same old.
  
  
• As things stand in Derwentside, GNE have a strong corridor on the X45/X46 and have actually created growth through correct investment and marketing as shown by the upgrade from single to double deck vehicles not forgetting running via the Metrocentre although not a 'de-tour' for most parts of the routes. Likewise, GNE have actually reduced the impact of the X30/X31 & X70/X71/X72 having nothing in between by streamlining the frequency between Sunniside and Newcastle to provide a bus roughly every 10 minutes. In fact, the X30 and soon to be X31 between Sunniside and Newcastle already replaces former parts of the 98 that used to operate until 2015.
  
  
• The Tyne Valley...........now to be fair, GNE already had a stronghold along the Ryton - Newcastle corridor before 2010. However, they have actually grown the 10 (former 602). So half hourly with B10BLEs > every 20 mins with Mercs > every 30 minutes with Volvo B9TLs (and approx every 15 mins to Prudhoe with the 10B). Again in comparison to Arriva, that growth and sustainability came through correct investment and marketing. Would actually be interesting to think how things would've turned out had the deal with Arriva not happened. And then.............came along the X84/X85 in 2013 ironically competing with Arriva's 685 (complained about in the press) and look where that has gone now with X-Lines?
  

• It's 15 years they depreciate buses over (the useful life, I believe it might be 12 years for minibuses - but can't confirm that) so the Gemini's etc at Blyth will still be affecting the P&L. The problem with cascades though is where you cascade them to, as most the SE Northumberland routes are strong for their own reasons. No-one wants to live on the 'cast off' bus route and it's something you have to be careful about. They did get a refurb with MAX around then though which is good enough imo.
  
• Can't argue about that but then it doesn't mean you need to cut services which was the original discussion, I don't think anyone can disagree with improvements but if it was that or an increased frequency then the frequency will always win (unless there's serious reliability issues).
  
• In fairness though even known the X30/X31 are good at what they do, the expressness of them is a big issue aswell for other routes. It's all good if you live in Stanley but they literally serve nothing to Sunniside yet the towns and villages one / two roads across have changes every other week, one now without a service to the Metro Centre, the other finally getting it's Newcastle service back (one improvement not mentioned). Ashington have it a lot better imo with them serving the local villages like Bedlington and Stakeford on the way, then running express say from Sunniside straight into Newcastle, then have one service half hourly dotting around for the Metro Centre (like the 57 or 19 to Cramlington).  If there's demand have an hourly express service from Stanley like the X20 via Gateshead, extending through to Lanchester using the 30 route or something which might improve that route, it's ridiculous that Stanley doesn't have a direct bus to Gateshead imo without going round the world. The X72 is a good move though as it's kind of on that route so credit where it's due.
  
• Can't really fault the Tyne Valley corridor tbh.