(30 Sep 2020, 9:45 pm)mb134 wrote I'd imagine there'd be competition issues with either Stagecoach or GAG if they were to look into taking over any ANE depots - though Stagecoach probably less so. 

Aside from Stagecoach and GAG, the only real contender would be Transdev. First are in an even worse position than Arriva, I don't see NatEx wanting any and below that I doubt anyone would be an improvement on the current regime. 

Honestly, I wouldn't mind Stagecoach coming into Northumberland. They know how to procure appropriate vehicles for express routes, they have a smart and professional brand and have a higher base standard than most other companies. Aside from that Transdev, with a similar approach to Blazefield, would also be interesting.

You could always see someone not currently in the UK domestic market taking a punt either tho; Abellio, RATP or ComfortDelGro (Metroline) being three that could easily have a go if they fancied taking on a larger bus company taking on the whole network rather than parts of it with the bonus of getting some more bus contracts in London and some train services throughout Europe. Not sure they'd be too keen with Covid lingering around though.