(17 Jul 2026, 3:30 pm)Adrian wrote If it was an operator wanting to run the service commercially, it would need to be on the basis of a service permit or an agreed exemption. I'd suggest for an agreed exclusion to be agreed, it would largely depend on what the service intends to do once within the NEMSA area.

If, for arguments sake, your theoretical Hartlepool to the Metrocentre & Newcastle service had plans to serve Peterlee, then NEMSA's delivery body may see that as taking passengers away from their 23 service and refuse it. If it's *only* serving the Metrocentre & Newcastle, aside from Hartlepool, then I can't see any reason why they wouldn't make an exemption. Unless they were intending to do something stupid like try and compete with NEMSA services between Metrocentre & Newcastle.


I agree with Storx here. Unless one of the two established operators in Teesside decide to try a commercial venture, it'll most likely remain a NEMSA service - which could still prove to be the case, even if there's a commercial desire. The main depots become NEMSA owned within the franchise area, so there's no way one of the operators that win the lot could then run this as a side venture from that depot.

Without the access to the NEMSA area, the service would pretty much be a Middlesbrough to Billingham via Stockton service, and there's already the 34/36 commercially covering those links.