(09 Aug 2024, 3:57 pm)Adrian wrote As has been suggested before, the solution would likely be to have the extra buses do Newcastle - the Angel only, loop around and come back over. 


Originally BSIP money could not be used to support existing services, but the position changed around June last year. See: https://www.route-one.net/news/bsip-fund...g-services

Around the time of the GNE 2022 cuts, you have several other operators coming out with the same 'use it or lose it' threats, with some side-lobbying to the DfT by the CPT and others. 

It's a shame really, as what should have been used as a tool of delivering some decent changes, has instead been used to bankroll poorly managed companies. Funding existing services like the 10 and 21, is akin to my local Newsagent asking the Council for some cash to open later. It wouldn't happen.

I'm not actually surprised that LAs are looking at franchising to deliver results, because it's important for the local economies. You're right though, and its ironic to see operators now rubbing their hands in glee at the prospect. A sharp contrast to, and to quote Brian Souter back in 2013: "We will take poison before we let Nexus take our business away in Newcastle."

My view is that removing the ban on municipals, actually improves the level of competitiveness. Knowing that the Council can't deliver themselves, operators can bid whatever they want for a franchised set of services. When you add public sector delivery into the mix, then there's the comparison of whether it can be done cheaply 'in-house'.