(11 Sep 2016, 5:01 pm)G-CPTN wrote Your reply has prompted me to recall the furore caused when GNE and Arriva agreed to swap services and depots (well, at least Hexham and Ashington):-
Arriva and Go North East secret bus routes deal exposed.
So I guess Arriva would be cautious about agreeing to accommodate Spirit Buses.
The content of those emails still make me laugh.
However on a more serious note - I can't see any mention of passengers or their needs in the article (or similar).
Just as a thought, rather than an allegation... I wonder about the following quote from the CC and wonder if any operators in Northumberland operate in this fashion? Maybe making decisions about services in the area and knowing the impact it would have on what they perceive to be competition.
It also warns that the short-term retaliation seen by the firms has the long-term effect of deterring competition.