(20 Oct 2014, 1:15 pm)cbma06 wrote Middlesbrough area to Hartlepool area is stagecoach territory, this is what happens when the big bus companies carve up their own areas.
Sunderland isn't really 'Arriva territory', and there is an established express route operating between Sunderland and Peterlee, yet Arriva are operating a competing service from next Monday...
With or without Quality Contracts, bus operators can design competing routes!