(06 Jul 2026, 7:23 pm)Adrian wrote It really doesn't though, does it? Have you read the franchise scheme assessment yet, or even started reading it?

From what I've read so far, It's been put together excellently, and I feel is fair in some of the conclusions that it reaches. Of course, this is only an extremely detailed assessment, so I'm not sure it'll ever compare to some off the cuff comments on a forum.

As enthusiasts, I guess it's noteworthy that the intended strategic depot acquisitions are: Ashington, Blyth, Consett, Deptford, Durham, Percy Main, Riverside, Slatyford, South Shields, Sunderland, Walkergate and Washington.

Winners of the medium (now large) contracts would be allocated depots from the above list within that area. From what I gather, and although it's not equivocal in what I've read so far, if an operator won say large contract A (Washington and Sunderland) plus a couple of the smaller contracts, they wouldn't be able to run those smaller contracts from the same strategic depots as allocated from the larger lots.

On vehicle acquisition, they haven't reached a final decision on it, but it appears they're looking at three options: Operators provide vehicles, Buses go to winning bidder at book value, Buses go to the delivery body and leased back to the operator.

Personally I disagree with the MSA looking at option 1 as the approach, as it'll deter bidders from outside of the region, so I'm surprised they're not immediately looking at option 2 or 3. I can see why the 2nd is more attractive to the MSA, but 3 must be best in the long-term, with further EVs coming.

I've had a quick flick through but I'm not sure where this growth is coming from. From I'm reading they're planning to tender, the exact same network as now which we all know doesn't work. 

I really don't see, from a passenger, where there's any real difference at all - from now. It's very different to somewhere like Manchester where you've got trams and multiple operators fighting in the same areas which cause issues. The North East doesn't have that, it's either Arriva, Stagecoach or GoNorthEast (bar a very few areas). 

The fares are already £2.50 so there's not much scope in that area.

(06 Jul 2026, 7:49 pm)logidoodah wrote Firstly thank you for putting people in their place, (if that's the right phrase) we live in a world now where everyone has a go or critiques without being at all or even a little informed of what their talking about. In my opinion if franchising didn't work they wouldn't have done it in London for so long....I know there are pros and cons but it's got to be better than what we have now!

For the last bit you mentioned I can see them potentially using option 2 for the initial buses for the contracts, and then option 3 for any new vehicles and at the end of the first contracts after 8 years or however long it is all older buses will be phased out anyways leaving all buses owned by NEMSA to be leased out with the renewal of contracts, and probably with quite a few network changes by that point.

And regarding the depots does it mean that we will have one main operator (in Angel network branding) per area being - Gateshead/Washington, South Shields/Sunderland, NT/Northumberland, County Durham. Obviously not taking into account the small contracts which I'm guessing will benefit smaller operators such as GCT and Northstar etc....

What the London network which is a black hole which is funded by the rail side which the North East doesn't have? Nor does it have funds from elsewhere to cover it either?