(10 Oct 2023, 6:56 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote No, but if someone decided to register a more frequent dupe of something like the 21 or 27, i don't believe GNE would have the drivers, vehicles or money to match them, especially if the upstart goes big and bold.
I think in other circumstances there could well have been attempts, however given both Arriva and Stagecoach seem to be struggling for drivers themselves (and neither seem to have a huge surplus of buses) I think GNE are fairly safe from any competition.
That said, Stagecoach seem to be gaining quite a bit of contract work throughout the region. I'd assume the guaranteed cash is rather appealing to their commercial department, and operations will be expected to find resources, rather than a situation where they'd be the new operator on a competitive corridor without guaranteed income.