In relation to the companion passes, when they are placed on the ticket machine there are 2 options - one for travelling alone and the other for two people.

Also, something which I only learned of when at Arriva, Hartlepool council don't issue companion disability passes. Therefore if you travelled to Hartlepool from Peterlee with a Durham companion pass, it would work however on return from Hartlepool to Peterlee the companion was required to pay single fare until the County Durham border. I'm unsure if this is still the case but it was about 5 year ago.