(26 Jan 2022, 2:59 pm)Storx wrote Probably more to do with the routes imo. Arriva and Stagecoach have some very strong corridors (X10/X11/X21/X22/X15/X18/306/308/6/7/63/64/X93/1: Arriva), (1/39/40/62/63 and so on: SNE). Apart from the 20, 21, 56, 60 and X1. There's nothing that really stands out in terms of making a fortune. On the otherhand they have some very weak routes, (82/83/11/42/42A/5/26/28/29/Peterlee locals).

Not sure there's much you could really do with some of the routes realistically as there's just not the demand and over the years they've butchered the network to a level where there's literally nothing left to butcher.

It doesn't help there's the Metro / Arriva and SNE dominating most their areas neither with the routes you realistically want.



I replied to the PM you sent but can't say too much. There's still services over there though.

Doesn't look good for GNE. They have unique territory with Gateshead and Durham for the most part, but don't compete well in Newcastle or North Tyneside (or even Northumberland). Constantly making changes means they don't have an established network in the same way as the other bus operators do. 

Hopefully all these new tenders will open up opportunities for independent operators (if Gateshead Central Taxis don't get them all). Might have to walk more with the reduction of the 684 if there is a specific time I need to be somewhere, with a 3-hourly 74 and hourly 684 to work around. For North Tyneside Arriva looks very much my future, after 16 years of not using them. Expect they will get the 42/42A routes merged into their services.