(23 Apr 2023, 8:34 pm)Storx wrote Aye fair points about it being a risky way to do business but suppose they can feel that they can keep the work, it's a risk worth taking. Mind it's not one I'd take.

The whole system is broken let's be honest as these contracts shouldn't exist at all, especially the sort of routes out for tender nowadays like the 317, 342, 82 etc. It doesn't help that the LA's are skint because of austerity either which means they can't afford to do anything better and to make it worse banned from creating their own bus companies which imo would be cheaper in the long run.

I feel for independents at times since the big boys control everything but if they dare attack them then all hell breaks loose like the 192 Corridor in Manchester bus wars in the 00's which didn't end well or the absolute dog fighting at Scarborough on the open top buses (not sure it's as bad nowadays since GoAhead took it over mind). At the same time though they can just leave communities stranded, take a contract over and then play the old look at what we're doing aren't we nice messaging which is so ironic.

The system needs to change imo, since the tax payer shouldn't be funding suits to run buses badly which is just the worst for everyone and is pretty much where we are nowadays whether it's contracts, BSOG or Covid grants etc. Sadly I wouldn't have much more confidence in the unelected lot running NECA or whatever the name is the week either mind.

I am very surprised the 317 is still tendered - its a pretty busy service at most times of the day. I do wonder that if Stagecoach lost the contract, they would take it on commercially at least in the daytime.