(30 May 2023, 9:19 am)tvd wrote So no doubt there'll be a few less buses, and more shaved off the PVR's around the area in July.The "support" for the £2 / £2.50 fare merely gives the operator the difference between the £2 being charged and what the fare would have been. It's not really support but re-imbursement of revenue foregone.
It's quite depressing that this is seen as something of a good thing by the industry, and they never want to try enhancing services or attempt something new.
They've got the long term support now for the £2 (then £2.50 ) fares, and I'm guessing they will have to apply to newly registered services at some point? Yes, there's driver shortages in places but why not at the very least do some decent marketing and cover some buses advertising the low fares; if not actively try to expand their network rather than lessen it every time there's timetable changes.
The bigger worry is the replacement of Bus Recovery Grant by BSOG+ - early indications from various operators suggest that they will receive only about 40% - 50% of what they do now.
And on top of that various local authorities are reducing the amount that they pay bus operators for carrying pass holders (ENCTS).