(26 Jul 2024, 6:37 pm)Storx wrote I'm not surprised at GoAhead considering the only place they have a network in an area which is realistically going to ever do it is the North East and it's a basketcase as an understatement. 

More money for them when they bid in areas they've never worked in prior to the franchsing. 

Stagecoach being the polar opposite so I'm not surprised they're the opposite and I can't blame them either really.

Be interesting to see how First react as their network is similar to Stagecoach but the areas they operate in haven't got very far yet. Yorkshire etc.

I'm not sure that's the reason? They had mixed results from the Manchesrer scheme. I think they'd have hoped to keep Queens Road, if they had the choice.

Devolution and additional powers is only going to increase too. I think every local and combined authority will be looking at Manchester's franchising in particular.