(09 Jul 2026, 7:17 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I’ve not got very far through the franchising documentation but consultations that were nothing of the sort (Arriva’s “you can either have the X21 or the X22” also comes to mind, here) have been mentioned a few times, already, in what I have read.

The sham consultation process is referenced somewhere in the Franchising Scheme Assessment. From people I've spoken with, I know that NEMSA are well aware of the frustrations with it.

It was part of the charter that was brought in with the Bus Service Improvement Plan a couple years ago. You know, the 'new way of working' that was supposed to turn things around *rolls eyes*

Charter is here: https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/passengercharter