(24 May 2023, 4:38 pm)Andreos1 wrote Don't think it's worth creating a new thread (far too many of them), so this seemed the most suitable.

It's clear that operators across the region are reducing their PVR's. With older vehicles coming to the end of their lives, replacements not forthcoming (for whatever reason that may be) and subsequently, frequencies are reducing.

I've made my thoughts on the state of the network clear and I want to make clear, that this specific post isn't relating to the network. 

What I am keen to look at/discuss is the continual decline of the PVR's/fleet size over the years and the correlation it has/may have with declining passenger numbers.

Fleet reductions aren't exclusive to the post-Covid world and has been happening for years (with some operators more than others), but what I don't get is the long-term strategy that operators may have.

* How can saving money by reducing fleet size, increase profit? It may increase margins, but not profit.
* If numbers start to increase and passengers come back to use the poorer service, will that demand lead to a greater PVR or even newer vehicles?
* At what point do operators cut their losses and cease trading? There's no growth, there's no expansion. It's literally tightening the belt a notch at a time.

If anyone does have data that shows depot PVR reductions/fleet sizes over the years, I'd love to see it in all its glory.

Current bed time reading is 'Twenty Turbulent Years' by Peter Rowlands & Stewart J Brown.  Worth a read if anyone comes across it, some fantastic pictures in there as well.

Anyway, said book casts a look at the bus industry over the 20 year period from 1980 to 2000.

At NBC privatisation it lists Northern General at 730 vehicles; Northumbria at 319 and United at 490.

Also a PTE fleet size of 547.

Granted, privatisation may not be the best of starting points to compare.