Bus services in Cumbria are patchy to say the least. For example, the A6 corridor between Penrith and Kendal only has one return service per day on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday.
But all that is to change when Neilbus arrives on the scene with my skanky old single decker. I'll be running a DAILY service over a similar route (I'll vary it slightly to ensure a separate service number.)
Now here's the catch - there will be a cash fare of £100. However as my service will leave Penrith at 09:31 I don't expect to actually take any cash fares, but of course the ENCTS pass will be valid and Cumbria Council will have to pay me the appropriate percentage, just as they do for Stagecoach who don't even provide a daily service.
I think my service may well terminate at a fish and chip restaurant where a huge discount may be obtained on production of a valid bus ticket, so I am confident of attracting pretty full loads. If that won't wash, I'll run through to Oxenholme station and claim I'm providing a through transport link which neither the council nor the existing operators will provide.
But all that is to change when Neilbus arrives on the scene with my skanky old single decker. I'll be running a DAILY service over a similar route (I'll vary it slightly to ensure a separate service number.)
Now here's the catch - there will be a cash fare of £100. However as my service will leave Penrith at 09:31 I don't expect to actually take any cash fares, but of course the ENCTS pass will be valid and Cumbria Council will have to pay me the appropriate percentage, just as they do for Stagecoach who don't even provide a daily service.
I think my service may well terminate at a fish and chip restaurant where a huge discount may be obtained on production of a valid bus ticket, so I am confident of attracting pretty full loads. If that won't wash, I'll run through to Oxenholme station and claim I'm providing a through transport link which neither the council nor the existing operators will provide.