(18 Feb 2026, 1:33 pm)220631612 wrote Gateshead Central doesn’t have a network, it’s an entirely tendered operation. Not saying it’s all drivers but there is a number of drivers who quite often put fares into their own pockets. Timing points are mild suggestions in a lot of cases and they’ve a habit of bidding for more work than they can feasibly operate (32 being case in point). GCT is a very delicate operation on the bus side and all it wouldn’t take much for their entire operation to cease.

Must say the routes round here are fine (19). Certainly no worse than the 57/57a anyway.

Don't see the issue with overbidding either, they can't tell how many they're going to win and probably don't expect to win pretty much everything either. That's on the other for overbidding if anything, anything that's better for the tax payer - the better as fair few of these routes run around with barely anyone half the time (19 to Killingworth, W1 and W2 - in particular) 

Obviously can't comment on the money situation tho.