(18 Mar 2026, 10:20 pm)Storx wrote imo if they don't get to keep some of the services it would be a disaster for Darlington.

Darlington depot would be looking a very weak depot if they're left with the town services and the X66/X67 only. There's only way that would be going and the fact they've chosen to electrify it I'd assume they're expecting to keep most of the work long term aswell.

As harsh as it sounds, NECA are going to be tasked with doing what works best for people who live in the communities served by those cross-border routes, as oppose to what's in the best interests of a commercial operator. The finer detail should be in the scheme that we're yet to see, but I can't see the Durham leaders accepting a two-tier system which sees their residents paying more than elsewhere on the network.

I don't know a lot of these areas well enough to comment, but the Sedgefield <-> Stockton link I know is important. I suspect it's the same for Bishop Auckland and Shildon into Darlington.

I think a better example of where a service permit would be more appropriate, may be something like the 685. Roughly 50/50 of what will be within the NECA franchising area and what won't be.