(18 Jun 2025, 6:52 pm)L469 YVK wrote Good to see some commercial competition going on to be honest! Think there's more scope especially if GNE don't pull their socks up! GNE proved that in their prime with the X84/X85 when Arriva lost their way with the 685.
If Northstar could get their hands on some quality used or leased B9TL / E400MMC (although only a short term solution to test the waters), they could cause serious trouble to GNE!
Even an hourly 604 (with additional peak journeys) could give some competition with the 10/10A/10B/12 on the Tyne Valley corridor.
I’m sure that Dan will correct me if I’m wrong but I think Northstar’s current commercial priorities lie in filling in the gaps where service is poor or old routes have been abandoned, rather than tit for tat competition.