(13 Aug 2023, 6:47 am)DeltaMan wrote That is part of the 'problem', although it should be pretty clear where the direction of travel in terms of regulation is heading.

I very much doubt, like the botched QCS, ARRIVA would keep control of their lucrative express services into Tyne and Wear, at least commercially 

So, I see them hanging on until whatever new possible framework exists and then bailing.

I'd not be surprised to see this and the 53/54 behaviour continue to be honest.
Whittle away at the stuff that doesn't work commercially or operationally and you're left with the core network that does both. In the interim anyway. 

Then and only then, will we see the likes of SNE/GNE stepping in and plugging/filling/exploiting the gaps. Potentially with Nexus help.