(20 Apr 2023, 3:15 pm)Adrian wrote I notice "Journeys will track in real-time on our mobile app and buses will have ‘next stop’ audio-visual announcements." under the 82 heading, presumably trying to point out something not present on the JH/GCT offering of the 82/82A.

Have the "'next stop' audio-visual announcements" been reinstated on the other Washington 8x services? I don't think I've seen them active since the service changes 9 months ago.

You can see how everything is played out to suit the big operators. So GNE binned the 82 because it wasn't making much money despite reported decent loadings, then it's given as a Nexus contract to JH Coaches but GNE tickets/cards can't be used on them so passenger numbers go down further. Then GNE are awarded the contract and will be running the 82 again because they having the funding and can also can promote their products and services at the same time! So it's effectively costing GNE nothing to run now compared to before and they can make more profit on it! You couldn't make it up!

What's even more ironic is the big operators like GNE and Arriva are now teaming up with new ticketing schemes, going by what's being piloted in North Tyneside. While this is good for passengers in the short term you can see how this is only going to strengthen the big operators further and put more pressure on the independents. The more competition they take away the more control they have and the more money they make.