Prior to the pandemic, I'd have argued that all three would have continued to struggle numbers wise, based on the mantra that 'operators know best', whilst seeing numbers drop.


Traditionally, I always saw Stagecoach as a strange one. A presence in towns and cities across the UK, with random operations in seaside towns which were dying on their feet - often with the odd link or two to larger networks.
Morecambe - towards Preston.
South Shields - towards Sunderland. 
Hartlepool - towards Stockton and Middlesbrough. 
Always thought Blackpool was ripe for Stagecoach domination and surprised (but pleased) it has never came off. 


As for Arriva, we were always told that it would be sold off as a whole and not in divisions. Whilst that may have been the aim, it's predictably proven to not be the case and I can see the Arriva presence reducing until what is left, is sold as a complete unit. 
Until Arriva does go, will we see the constant shifting of vehicles around depots continue? 
Will we see the likes of Teesflex fill gaps in places around East Cleveland, serving areas the X3/4, 5, 28 and to an extent the X93 refuse to go? Or will they look to grow their market as opposed to the apparent asset stripping we see elsewhere?


Go-Ahead - never could make my mind up about them. Always seem to be in a state of flux, no matter where you see them.
Whether it's buying out a smaller operator and then selling them no too long later, an apparent lack of integration between networks (looking at Thames with Oxford or EYMS with GNE amongst others), contracting and reducing their network or repainting it... You can't say its boring! Especially when you're stuck with shares they can't sell!
I will give them credit for offering up some local control. Tis a shame that the local control is seemingly filled with those who know best or talk that way at least.

Fresh, inspiring minds could have changed bus operations for the positive. There wasn't and isn't enough of them and from what I've seen, any inspiration seems sucked away pretty soon. 
Tis a shame and tis a legacy of failed Thatchernomics. It's just a shame there's a fair few who see Covid as the culprit and not the actual decision makers. 

What the future holds, who knows.
I bet it will involve more handouts, subsidies and route consolidation though. The exact opposite of what de-reg was meant to be about.