(27 Feb 2025, 3:22 pm)Andreos1 wrote There are a couple of ways of doing it. 

The way you've suggested, which seems flawed on so many levels. 

Or, the bidder pays to run the services in a specific area, keeping the fares. 
This seems to benefit both parties and is far less of a risk to the Taxpayer.
It also means we don't see subsidised routes and the network can be designed for the people who use them.

https://www.centreforcities.org/publicat.../#benefits

https://bidstats.uk/tenders/2024/W21/823198066

I know it's gone a bit off topic but I'm not sure if tranches would work up here. Obviously in the urban areas it'll work well but there's big problems in the rural areas. Like picking out somewhere like Bishop Auckland there's no depot anywhere nearby and the depot which serves Bishop Auckland is out of area (Darlington).

Also can't see anyone wanting to pay for routes out there either as I can't imagine they make much money, if any at all. 

It'll be interesting to see what the plans are tbh. There's similar problems up in Northumberland at places like Alnwick aswell where the nearest small operator is Wooler unless I've missed someone and that's a coach business so not sure they'll be too keen to sell up when they have a business outside of the tenders.

Haven't seen any discussion on it, as far as I'm aware