Sweeping, generalised statements? That a bit sweeping and generalised of you to say that mind.

Anyway: By definition, monopoly is
characterized by an absence of competition, which often results in high prices and inferior products. Source investopedia.com

If you read my comment, rather than making sweeping generalised comments yourself, you will see I didn't accuse the independent Government organisation of anything.
A survey can be compiled (in this case the majority were OAP pass holders, travelling outside peak time) and from the results a 91% satisfaction survey was gleaned. The ABC1 passengers were not very satisfied. Unfortunately, only a small percentage were asked their opinions of the GNE service.

Huge chunk - by definition, that is a vague comment by myself. But surely you can't dispute that the dividend could be used elsewhere?

A transport organisation owned by a local authority? Notts City Transport, Blackpool and Lothian jump out from the top of my head. Various European cities also have them - for instance the fantastic tram, ferry, bus and metro network in Amsterdam are owned by GVB (including a period during the second world war).
They are all owned by public organisations, authorities etc. All require investment and all generate profit - without (exluding Notts) any investors to keep happy.

Laying it on thickly? Another sweeping generalisation. Lets just use Fencehouses as an example with driving through it before.
Prior to the 2006 changes, 3 buses an hour ran to Newcastle. Two via Chester and one via Washington. The 21a was curtailed at Chester and replaced by the 71 (still twice hourly) and the X94/X3 cancelled completely, but the route is covered by the 6 hourly M1. From 3 buses an hour in either direction, there are now 8 buses. They can't blame it on lack of passengers? Surely? Locally between Houghton and Fencehouses (as well as those 8), you also the 20a and 35a, each running 3 times an hour in either direction.
There can be no other justification other than to force people to change buses at Chester, Houghton or Washington and purchase day/week/month tickets - costing twice as much per day as it did prior to 2006.
Then if you look at the map of Washington Aureolin has also attached to this forum, maybe this double counting is a bit more common that you realised?

So as you were saying...
Proof enough? Enough figures, links, facts etc for you?

Kind Regards

Andreos1

edit: Public Transport in Amsterdam was privatised a few years ago. Just been made aware.