(06 Feb 2025, 5:07 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Worst case, they’ll win lots of routes on the basis of flannel bids and then run them like they’re running the 29, 25 and 34 at the moment. The rules around operating a service would have to be watertight and allow NECA to re-tender if operators don’t actually operate the services they’re being paid for.
This is why I'm almost against the idea of franchising now, despite being very much in favour of it when Quality Contracts were being discussed as an option over ten years ago.
The rules around running a service probably won't be as robust as many in here would like to see. Indeed, when I've questioned aspiring mayors about the subject of fines and the withdrawal of contracts in the past, they've all given incredibly vague answers which skirt around the question rather than addressing it.
Without such watertight safeguarding, then I suspect your worst-case scenario would probably be the norm, and the charitarians currently in charge of running bus services in the region will be laughing at the taxpayer whilst receiving hefty pats on the back by their paymasters and shareholders.