I don't think bus passengers should have to worry about what colour bus is arriving, who operates it, or whether their ticket is going to be accepted or whether it's cheaper on a different bus. A truly standardised integrated transport network for Tyne & Wear would make public transport a more attractive viable option - I'm talking Metro, Buses, Ferry, Local Rail & Bike Hire all controlled by one body.
The bus operators should be competing against each other for contracts to run the services, not scrapping for customers off each other which just puts up barriers.