I think the point being made was also addressing Stanley and Consett being in two separate zones make it expensive for local journeys between the two neighboring towns, where people will choose car to work, meeting family etc... - Maybe there could be a Stanley/ Consett inter travel zone to promote travel in the "Derwentside" area.

The new GoZone is welcomed in bringing The Coast via Newcastle and Sunderland from Derwentside towns more accessible.

Although not a GNE decision, expanding the Nexus Zones to include Derwentside would increase patronage with the ability to use public transport to areas of the region with multi operator tickets covered by Metro etc.. e.g. Newcastle Airport (for which Go North East do not serve with a regular service)