I suspect that Metroline will bring a Unite rep with them to extol the virtues of Metroline as an employer . . . in London they're not the best, but also not the worst. TUPE does mean that your pay AND conditions are protected, so those days in the 1990s when Stagecoach rolled into town and immediately worsened conditions will not be repeated . . . indeed, that's one of the reason that TUPE was born.
Herts CC is the only other LTA (Local Transport Authority) that has assumed the registration function of the Traffic Commissioners, and they publish a summary every two weeks (not weekly, N&Ps are published fortnightly). I suspect that TfGM are also obliged to do this . . . perhaps a specific request to TfGM asking about this?
My understanding about Tranches 1 and 2 (not from me, but from a local resident), is that reliability of routes within Tranche 1 is still poor, whereas routes within Tranche 2 are performing acceptably. Until TfGM publishes results officially, rumour and speculation is all we have.
As a busman who started in NBC days (1975), saw deregulation, privatisation and consolidation, and remembers the "glory days" of the late 1990s and 2000s . . . my fear with franchising (as with tendering in London) is that the transfer of control to LTAs will remove the entreprenurial instinct of busmen following the market. In London, what may be good ideas are buried in the need for consultation, such that any momentum towards change is stalled.
However, maybe the industry needs a period of consolidation just now . . . and if an LTA is to take responsibility for the network (AND for the finances, don't forget), then maybe we should wait and see. I'm just glad I'm an observer now . . .