Upcoming service changes in Merseyside

[CUL 73V]

RE: Upcoming service changes in Merseyside
I'm afraid anyone who thinks franchising will make festive period services any better is mistaken. Merseytravel's tendered bus network is a disorganised, illogical mess and they have wasted countless tens of millions of taxpayer money. Franchising is going to cost this city region over £500 million, plus nearly £300 million in loan servicing payments, for what benefit? None. There is zero evidence to suggest Merseytravel and a bunch of unqualified, clueless politicians can do any better than Arriva, Stagecoach. It's about control and boosting egos, pure and simple. Franchising will not improve the lives of anyone in this city region, something Rotheram evidently has little to no interest in doing.