https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...e-28066843
Coun Gannon called the current strike the low point of a “rotten” and “completely broken” system of deregulated bus services run by private companies, and told Go North East bosses to “stop putting out aggressive communications and instead roll up its sleeves, today – right now, and work constructively with its employees and their trade union to get the buses running again tomorrow”.
“Although we have no active role in this dispute, we do have an obligation to our residents to make sure that Go North East’s behaviour does not go unpunished. As local authorities we pay the company many millions each year for carrying concessionary passes and to shore up unprofitable routes. I will be making sure that every possible financial penalty is applied for non-delivery.
“We recently secured £163.5m of national funding to improve local bus services through partnership. As far as I'm concerned, Go North East is currently in breach of its responsibilities as a partner - we can’t improve services that aren’t being operated, and the company’s actions are damaging the bus network and the lives of its customers. Go North East should not be receiving a penny of this improvement funding until they are providing a bus service worthy of the name.”