(18 Mar 2026, 8:50 pm)Michael wrote That's good to hear, I'm glad its happening (although it has to be checked over etc first), hopefully its time for the big 3 to fall and give others a chance.
They've had long enough to make a positive impact on the paying public, adapt networks and grow numbers.
I'd argue they've failed at each one of them.
(18 Mar 2026, 9:03 pm)220631612 wrote I genuinly think you’ll be rather disappointed. You’ve got to consider things won’t change for part of the region for the main services are run by depots out of the NECA area. Unless of course they’re going to open larger depots in Peterlee and Bishop Auckland again. (For context the routes are 1,5,7,8,8A,X12,X22,X75,X76)
Prior to 86, the TWPTE network did what it needed to do, provided a service and only covered a proportion of the equivalent NECA area.
Commercial/nationalised operations worked alongside it and offered an alternative.
Think of the limited stop 72x series on Durham Road vs the slower 2x alternatives.
Those on longer journeys supplemented the lack of shorter hops and got a quicker trip.
Northern/United saw a gap and it worked for them.
I can't see why the network can't adapt and move with the times 40 odd years on this time.