(04 Nov 2020, 1:21 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote Go North East is amazing value for money, and they are my favourite operator.
1 bus operator means one ticket (unless needing a Metro). Simply ticket structure, one comprehensive network.
Definitely GCT should go. Weardale should too. A-line, Stanley Travel and Phoenix are good operators.
One bus operator also means they can charge the customer anything they want. Look at the difference in prices where GNE holds a monopoly (Derwentside/Tyne Valley) and where they don't (Coast Road/North Tyneside) to see how competition (or the lack thereof) affects fares.
Don't be so blinkered.