(18 Mar 2026, 9:40 pm)220631612 wrote For all of them, it’s above 75% of mileage, and 7/8A/X12 aside would be rather difficult to run without depots being opened where I’ve suggested. It’s certainly going to be a challenge for NECA and it’ll be interesting to see how they play it out although my money is on service permits being granted and operate under similar rulings to those found with Bee Network on the various routes into the Manchester region

I suppose that raises another question, and whether for the 25% or so mileage that remains unregulated, whether they see it as being commercially viable for them. 

Unless they do something completely different, then the service permit will be subject to selling and accepting NECA fares within the franchised area.

I don't think it'll be that difficult to run any of those as franchised services, depending on how they are allocated to lots. For me it'd make sense to stick some of them into smaller lots, allowing independents to bid for and win the work.