It's embarrassing though. Jesmond can barely manage to get the right buses out on the right services and anything goes at Blyth.

If GNE or Stagecoach turned up and competed on Arriva's patch, Arriva wouldn't bat an eyelid and they wouldn't have the capacity (unless in the form of sub standard ex-London cast offs) to fend them off and retaliate.

I hope whoever buys Arriva in whole or part gives the business a much needed shake up from top to botton.