(23 Feb 2024, 9:36 pm)RobinHood wrote £389,658 reasons that nobody knows why, to be precise.
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/N...rchResults&p=1

Taking the existing network shortfalls aside in East Cleveland (you could have a whole other discussion on how everything could be achieved by working with the existing commercial network at a fraction of the cost), the fact TVCA tendered this service, over the top of their own subsidised TeesFlex service shows a significant lack of understanding and incompetence in the public office! They are competing for the same passengers that probably underpinned each individual business case to start with.

TVCA are also about to waste another £200k on a service to Riverside Park in Middlesbrough.

How many times has that been tried, financially supported by MBC and then that support terminated as it simply isn't VFM, even for the public purse? It's like groundhog day, the same solutions churned out, by out of touch politicians, to fix problems that don't exist. A public feedback event or survey etc. would produce much better information on what gaps in the public transport network need to be considered in order of priority. I doubt Riverside Park is high up any list.

Plus, on top of that, another £396k on a fully subsided service to Wynyard for Amazon. Should that not be Amazon funded? Maybe even commercially provided for given the clear shift pattern demand?

All in all, £1 million of wasted money just in this post alone. Really scary stuff when you put it into context. Incompetent to the highest degree.

If I was Stagecoach, I'd be happily taking all of this non-risk guaranteed income from these clueless idiots. Fair play to them, but equally commiserations to Tees Valley residents having decisions on their money made without any input allowed on what they want, need or would like.

Yep, that is a lot of money being wasted on projects which ain't worth it on their own. Fair play to Stagecoach as they are the real earner in all this. But again I ask the question. Why haven't Arriva stepped up to the challenge. Of course I know they're short staff and that maybe why, but to think over 10 years ago it was different. Then again, Arriva now probably can't spare the buses for increases or new services. This is a time where a new operator should come into Teesside and East Cleveland like maybe Go North East or anyone else who has the money and capacity and take over the services. I like Arriva but at the moment they ain't cutting it for me anymore. The good thing about Arriva is their bus types. Maybe when April hits the new owners may say "here, we need to sort the mess out in the north of England" and get investing there instead of London here, London there. 

Also companies, either stagecoach or arriva or even the local councils for that matter should go round posting surveys through peoples doors asking the people who actually use the services on where they go and where the buses should go. The operators just throw them wherever they decide.