(07 Apr 2022, 9:28 pm)Storx wrote Stagecoach Cleveland and Stagecoach Busways are two separate networks ran by the same management. The networks have never been connected and it wouldn't make any sense for them being connected either.

It's no different to Arriva North East and Arriva Yorkshire which are the same management.

No way will they leave Sunderland though. Stagecoach Busways is supposedly the second most profitable operating area after Manchester and the competition regulator would block it either way. South Shields and Hartlepool are the two weak Stagecoach areas up here.

GNE could take over Shields, and just keep them all at Deptford, maybe Arriva for Hartlepool, thats if they even invest. 

I could see SC possibly selling off some depots with their routes.