(17 Apr 2023, 12:13 am)markydh wrote They both played 'pretend nice' over this because they know fine well that if Labour win the North East Mayoralty next year (which is highly likely), one of the first things they are likely to explore is full-on franchising which is one of the proposed powers. They need to show willing to cooperate on things like this because it's their only chance (and a slim one at that) at preventing it.Franchising will happen everywhere by 2030.
People don't realise that operators are, under current BRG subsidy, still very much either making losses or only just breaking even (which from a business perspective is pointless - nothing to reinvent or grow with).
Honestly, when BRG ends, expect another 10-15% of services to go. The problem is, neither the operators or the authorities want to set hares racing with the politicians - but it's coming.