(03 Apr 2026, 2:59 pm)deanmachine wrote A similar sort of story would be nice to see in the North East, the smaller operators gaining long term scholars contracts. Hopefully bringing some more stability to services too. Although unfortunately, it was Go North West that got similar contracts in Manchester.
Not sure I'd call Tower Transport a smaller operator mind. They're a $250m revenue company from Australia.
It's arguably the worst, big corporation with no connection waltzing in, and taking contracts and putting all the local independents out of business. Metroline being another.
We might all have our bad feelings against Arriva and GoNorthEast but they're both local companies at the end of day, even known they're owned by bigger groups. Rather them in a way than some big corporation with no connection who will just piss off if the going goes rough.
Truthfully I don't like franchising though, rather see it in house. Don't see the benefits of doing everything then paying someone to drive some buses as they're not exactly doing anything else since the councils own the vehicles, depots and set times, routes and pretty much everything.