(13 Jan 2015, 4:12 pm)Dan wrote It's a commercially-operated service. If it is running at a loss, it will be withdrawn in its present form and Durham County Council will step in to fund the operation.

I could understand it if Stanley Travel or Hunters needed to do this with those not earning anything near as much as a big operator such as Go North East, Arriva or Stagecoach. However, as Go North East have such a large income from other services, that would be more than enough to pay for the service and keep it going. If independents can manage, why cant a large company which is technically better off?