Manchester bus franchising

[CUL 73V]

RE: Manchester bus franchising

(24/06/2023 12:46)Barney Wrote:  Arriva has the lion's share of commercial services within Merseyside and, if what has happened in the first two tranches within Manchester is any indicator, Arriva could find itself losing several depots and dozens of routes in the bidding process to operators not currently serving the LCR.

It's no indicator at all. Arriva haven't, and do not intend to, bid for any TfGM franchises. They've no interest in partaking.

Bus franchising would be a disaster in LCR. The roll out of the new trains has turned Merseyrail into an unreliable basket case. The new hydrogen buses are riddled with faults and can't be put into service. What makes people think franchising the bus network would be any better? Not to mention the burden to the taxpayer in a cost of living crisis.

If the buses go over to franchising in LCR, I'm leaving the industry.