I hold Weardale in high regard - I think they are a very good operator.
However, with the 725 it seems a bit poor from a passenger perspective for them to be operating it - yes ticket acceptance is being worked on, but I doubt you will be able to buy a Go North East ticket on a Weardale service - which is where I guess most passengers would start their journeys. So it's going to end up costing passengers a lot more unless they have a mobile ticket.
Of course, it could have been Rural Link or Scarlet Band - so a good outcome overall.
RE: Go North East: Major Service Changes July 2022