(21 Nov 2019, 3:23 pm)streetdeckfan wrote "Yeah... course they will!

If GNE was nationalised, do you think they'd be getting the high spec buses they have been or do you think they'd just get the bargain basement spec?
Where would all the money for this come from? Even more borrowing? Even higher taxes?
There's no such thing as free"

I don't think full Nationalisation (like the National Bus Co. of the 70's early 80's) is being suggested. More likely where local authorities wish to operate or control services within their area, such as Nexus operating Bus & Metro like the old Corporations / PTEs ran Buses & trams within city limits. GNE would likely do well feeding services into such areas. Within the areas controlled by local authorities they would observe fares etc... as laid down to improve public service connectivity. Extending Nexus fare zones into Co. Durham and South Northumberland could benefit GNE via more passengers linking into an Oyster style multi modal zone.
Stagecoach would be the main operator adversely affected, as the majority of their services, being the former Newcastle, Sunderland, S. Shields Corporation (T&W PTE) are within the areas here in the North East and other city areas presumably targeted.