(29 Jun 2026, 9:51 am)L469 YVK wrote ... Asides from that, if Northstar could get a handful of well TLC'd later B9TLs or Scania E400/E400MMC, I'd like to see them have a try taking on the X21 with a competing service, running as a 'proper' express like the old X21 did. Would serve GNE right for dumping gutless hairdryers on a service that has clearly been calling out for a decent allocation of vehicles for years.
A re-birth of 'Pronto' anyone? Could it run a PVR of 3x with a 3 hour round trip to Bishop Auckland only?
I suspect Dan has more sense. Even if it is operationally feasible, starting a full-on head to head competitive service would be a very brave move. All experience in the nearly 40 years since deregulation is that even for the national firms it is very, very, hard to succeed in such attempts, and easy to burn a lot of money. Remember the X43 is almost certainly only viable for Northstar as an opportunistic Sat and school holidays service making use of buses that are needed for school-time services. So far there is no sign of them becoming more than that.