(26 Feb 2022, 6:44 am)Dan wrote The good thing, I suppose, about larger commercial operators making changes to their network with more services becoming secured, is that it’s giving Nexus an opportunity to review their existing secured services and really ask themselves the question if it’s a good use of taxpayers money.

The changes in North Tyneside probably make use of existing budget but provide a much better network of services to customers.

A good use of taxpayer's money would be improving the passenger experience of bus stops, interchanges and Metro stations and pushing for total integration between modes. The money should be spent liaising with the public, councils, bus and rail operators to encourage more sustainable travel that works for the majority.

This money shouldn't be used to prop up a failing network of services because operators refuse to listen to the majority of the public to see what they actually want. Although there have been some improvements, it barely touches the number of people who choose to drive.

I hope bus companies realise very soon that marketing and painting buses running as they are is equivalent to polishing a turd. The only thing that would force me back to bus travel is spiralling fuel costs, not how (un)attractive it is.

The strengthening of trunk roads and improvements to rail services only shows which direction we're going in regards to bus travel.