The problems around here is the lack of any combined authority to take control of things. If you live in Teesside or inside Nexus' area then the pricing is usually fair but once you get out of it it's a joke unless there's competition Bishop -> Durham for example.
It also doesn't help that's there's absolutely no multi operator ticketing available so if you do journeys such as Seghill -> Chester-le-street you have to fork up £10.90 for a explorer ticket or pay £6.40 for an Arriva ticket plus whatever the GoNorthEast ticket is for that journey with no weekly / monthly tickets. No-one is their right mind is going to pay that and it's the same in many areas. Ponteland, Consett (2z 'co-incidently'), Chester-Le-Street, SE Northumberland, Durham, Seaham, Murton just to name a few which are on the borders and some with high car ownership. Ponteland in particular.
It doesn't help that certain bus companies take the piss with the prices of singles and returns neither when crossing boundaries. GoNorthEast and Arriva in particular. £4.50 for a single from Seghill to Newcastle yet £2.80 (I think) from Annitsford to Newcastle on the X7. £3.10 from Seaton Delaval to Northumberland Park, £1.60 from Earsdon on the 19. Sounds like it's a simular story on the 20/20A as someone has posted above.