I admit to wondering in the past about the future of First Essex, if they have one. But out of my reverie, it's theirs to lose; and surely it's not who can lose more money this year (or even next), it's about who gives up first, and sorry as much as I might be disappointed it ain't I think going to be First. (Their annual reports do keep banging on about how they monitor the local market - the key). If they are doing anything it's laying the groundwork for the battle to come, probably over the north Essex new towns/garden villages which are bus-dependent (but don't neglect the backyard is often sensible advice). As always it's a waiting game and stamina is the key as much as anything else. The same with the independents, they can be choosy, and are - though First haven't given them a clear run, recently. First will presumably hope to repeat their "success" at Beaulieu Park (though how much of a success it is we have still to see, as National Rail have helped them so far with their interminable delays in progressing a new station - meanwhile commuters are -or must feel- trapped on the bus). But it's a different league, even for Stephensons who have fed off routes dropped by First (though I suspect it's a rather meagre diet that they make the most of but I would like to know how they got the several millions for the Boreham depot!). I suspect Stephensons, and much more Ensign, are helped (a lot) by their bus dealerships. Arriva stay quiet, but may be retrenching. We have yet to find out.
The PVR reduction is about what I was thinking, perhaps at the lower end. They can't afford to upset their paying, season ticket, commuter base too much- though at times they've poured so much in that it's a mess - see Canvey and Chelmsford station! It's probably the rest that isn't performing.
But with a similar level of losses surely if First Essex catch cold, Hedingham/Chambers/Go-Ahead might end up with pneumonia? Now with all our grumbles, there's not too many First subsidaries of which you could say that, are there?