(14 Nov 2022, 8:11 pm)mb134 wrote Much like the GNE increases, I don't have a huge issue with the actual increases here. Drivers wages will be increasing, fuel costs are increasing etc. 

My issue with the ANE fare hikes are that, particularly in Northumbria, they've been timed incredibly poorly. Realistically I'd have given it another few weeks, even maybe until January, so that the Blyth services were somewhat stable before hitting customers with another blow.

It's not just the poor performance, it's on top of permanent service cuts and temporary reduced timetables (whilst accepting the reasons for those). The fact is that customers are absolutely furious with bus services at the moment, and I don't think confidence in public transport in general has been any lower than it is right now. Some of that within operators controls, some of it outside. This is just another kick in the teeth.

Costs are of course increasing for businesses everywhere, as is the end-product to consumers, but businesses need consumers more than the consumers need a business.

As I said in the GNE thread at the time, it feels that operators are determined to nail shut their own coffin here.