(19 Oct 2023, 9:24 am)Storx wrote I might aswell say it before someone else does, wonder if they go for more areas if they would seriously consider taking over GoNorthEast.

It's a complete basket case, as it is, and Arriva has never had a presence in it's home city (which it would gain from doing so).

I seriously wouldn't be surprised if GoAhead want shot of it before long as it's clearly going nowhere under them. Apart from the Coast Road and Peterlee to Sunderland, there's not really much overlap nowadays.

Arriva may not have reached Sunderland for some time.  However, I did catch a bus to Sunderland from Darlington in 1998, I think route 21 or X21.

As an aside, Arriva do reach Sunderland through Grand Central Trains.  They also reached Sunderland when they ran the Metro.