North East Buses

Looks like the gasbuses will be departing imminently.

Is 73176 going back to stockton depot.

Apparently one of Slatyford’s Yutongs is at Kilmarnock 73192, any ideas why if it’s true?

(29 Sep 2025, 2:23 pm)F114TML wrote [ -> ]Looks like the gasbuses will be departing imminently.

Are 9 of them departing?

(29 Sep 2025, 6:13 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Are 9 of them departing?

I’m not sure if Sunderland have 9 EV’s from Slatyford. Apparently 73191, 73192, 73193 & 73194 are in Kilmarnock as replacements for 73053, 73054, 73055, 73056 which went to Stockton. 73053/4/5/6 are due to leave Stockton for their original home in the Midlands, Rugby and Kilmarnock were due some of a later batch 7322* to replace them 4 buses but seem to have taken 4 of Slatyford’s. Unsure if loan or permanent. 

I’m unsure if the 4 are from Slatyford’s or Sunderland’s half but with Slatyford having 10922, 10923, 10924 and 10928 from Ardrossan it could be 4 from Slatyford’s 9.

If 73053,6 leave stockton dose mean getting more yutongs then is that right?

(29 Sep 2025, 7:09 pm)IGlen1974 wrote [ -> ]If 73053,6 leave stockton dose mean getting more yutongs then is that right?

Not sure Glen, it depends on if Stockton are keeping the X40/41, RP1 and the Saltburn 1&2 if they don’t then they won’t need the extra buses.

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Slatyford will be getting 18 Yutongs just not yet. They will be in 2026 when the depot is fully electrified. The roof is supposed to be coming off in March so I’d expect once that is off the work will start and then Slatyford will get their Yutongs,

Thank for info mate

(29 Sep 2025, 7:43 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]Slatyford will be getting 18 Yutongs just not yet. They will be in 2026 when the depot is fully electrified. The roof is supposed to be coming off in March so I’d expect once that is off the work will start and then Slatyford will get their Yutongs,

Given the first few entered service at Slatyford today, can we expect 24101-15 to start to leave the fleet - or will they stay in service until all 18 are out?

(29 Sep 2025, 8:14 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]Given the first few entered service at Slatyford today, can we expect 24101-15 to start to leave the fleet - or will they stay in service until all 18 are out?

I was told by a shunter that 10 or 11 will be leaving when the Yutongs start to enter service. I think the official launch is tomorrow so can expect more to be out. I believe 24101-24110 will be heading to Walkergate from Slatyford briefly before heading south. Slatyford have 27823 from Walkergate plus 10922, 10923, 10924 and 10928 on loan from West Scotland so I would still expect some 24***’s to leave.

(29 Sep 2025, 9:26 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]I was told by a shunter that 10 or 11 will be leaving when the Yutongs start to enter service. I think the official launch is tomorrow so can expect more to be out. I believe 24101-24110 will be heading to Walkergate from Slatyford briefly before heading south. Slatyford have 27823 from Walkergate plus 10922, 10923, 10924 and 10928 on loan from West Scotland so I would still expect some 24***’s to leave.

Are Slatyford struggling with vehicle availability recently? 

The reliability of 19385/6/8/9 seems to have dropped off a cliff, I've noticed a sharp increase in single decks on the 'express' routes recently which creates rather unpleasant experiences in the evening peak.

Stagecoach stockton depot is getting 66 yutongs one U11dd double decker 58 yutongs and 6 on loan it says this tees valley pape if stockton need 9more yutongs to come if it right ? This up if I am right.

(29 Sep 2025, 9:45 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]Are Slatyford struggling with vehicle availability recently? 

The reliability of 19385/6/8/9 seems to have dropped off a cliff, I've noticed a sharp increase in single decks on the 'express' routes recently which creates rather unpleasant experiences in the evening peak.

Yes the buses we have now aren’t great. You can put 36468-36477 on that list too many of them have no power. 37313, 37314 also have no power. We’ve got too many E200’s hopefully getting these Yutongs will be a turning point now.

I agree, too many E200's, they like to make appearances on the 12 and 22, not fun in the slightest at school kicking out time, and as far as im aware, they arent even Slatyford ran services, why do they have all these E200's, in hope of regaining contracts?

(30 Sep 2025, 12:57 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]I agree, too many E200's, they like to make appearances on the 12 and 22, not fun in the slightest at school kicking out time, and as far as im aware, they arent even Slatyford ran services, why do they have all these E200's, in hope of regaining contracts?

Walkergate did have 37312 was awful when it made appearances on 38. Believe its moved on to Slatyford now.

I saw photo stockton new yutong U11dd parked up it really smart.

Are getting 3 yutongs U11dd at stockton depot.

(30 Sep 2025, 9:29 pm)Glen1974 wrote [ -> ]Are getting 3 yutongs U11dd at stockton depot.

This is potentially 1 of them (not my photo)

Some people saying that acne are due 3 yutongs U11dd double decker is this right?

(29 Sep 2025, 9:45 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]Are Slatyford struggling with vehicle availability recently? 

The reliability of 19385/6/8/9 seems to have dropped off a cliff, I've noticed a sharp increase in single decks on the 'express' routes recently which creates rather unpleasant experiences in the evening peak.

To be honest, it seems like they've been struggling for awhile.

It's just not noticeable as they a ridiculous number of spares. Like talking about the E200's bar the few on the 32/32A I'm not sure they're needed there, at all, yet there's like 16 of the things there - if everything was actually in service.

I could be wrong though, but can't see where they're needed.

(30 Sep 2025, 11:40 pm)Glen1974 wrote [ -> ]Some people saying that acne are due 3 yutongs U11dd double decker is this right?

ACNE ? Shouldn't be hard to SPOT, then.

I'll get my coat ...

Anyone know where 73182, 73184 and 73190 are? Haven’t entered service anywhere yet.

Has 73176 gone back to Stockton yet or is it still at slatyford?

(01 Oct 2025, 7:53 am)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]Anyone know where 73182, 73184 and 73190 are? Haven’t entered service anywhere yet.

Has 73176 gone back to Stockton yet or is it still at slatyford?

Parked at the back of Slatyford depot when I was there on Monday.

176 was there too.

(01 Oct 2025, 8:26 am)stagecoachfan wrote [ -> ]Parked at the back of Slatyford depot when I was there on Monday.

176 was there too.

Cheers, I wonder if them 3 will enter service soon or if they’re just going to sit there. As for 73176 I’m surprised it hasn’t gone back to Stockton yet

(01 Oct 2025, 8:36 am)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]Cheers, I wonder if them 3 will enter service soon or if they’re just going to sit there. As for 73176 I’m surprised it hasn’t gone back to Stockton yet

To correct myself. I just checked.
182 and 190 were at Slatyford on Monday, 184 was at Sunderland depot. I went to both!

(01 Oct 2025, 9:24 am)stagecoachfan wrote [ -> ]To correct myself. I just checked.
182 and 190 were at Slatyford on Monday, 184 was at Sunderland depot. I went to both!

Makes sense. I’ve just gone along to Slatyford depot, there’s one new one on the back yard unsure which one but means either 73182 or 73190 have gone somewhere else then. 

73176 is still being used for training so won’t be going back to Stockton yet.

With the 5 electrics entering service at Sunderland, which other 2 gas buses have been withdrawn alongside 28019-28021?

Looking at bustimes, there seems to be loads, not tracking so far today.

Electric buses are so boring, have no character at all, each model sounds the exact same. They are slow and will barely last 10 years without major expensive overhaul. That's why the gas buses and hybrids got retired early due to overhaul costs. They are not economical to buy or overhaul. Imagine how many more diesel buses could be bought for the same amount of cash. With the investment in electric buses you could probably replace every single bus in the North East with a brand new diesel for the same cost as the electrics coming.

As the finances simply don't add up that's why the taxpayer has had to fork out for all these buses as no well run financially competent business would ever touch one.

Passenger experience is worse as the silence when the bus is idle means you have no privacy for any conversations and everyone will hear what you say. There will be no engine noise to drown out squeaks and rattles so these will be more noticeable.

I've ridden plenty of electric buses to make these conclusions. Optare, Wright, ADL +BYD, ADL Integral, Yutong, all of them are soulless. Generally try to avoid them as much as possible but rode Arriva Blyth's Enviro 400EV just for the novelty of riding a bus to Blyth which is not 15 years old, but it's slower than the very worst of their awful 12 plate Pulsars.

In 15 years bus enthusiasm will no longer exist as a hobby due to electric buses. The hobby will be dead. I have no idea why anyone is interested in the latest news of Stagecoach getting so many electric buses, other than to avoid them at all costs of course. Hope Stagecoach Walkergate don't get any as I use the 37 often these days. I know Walkergate had the Enviro 400H which i actually kind of liked as they did have character and still the diesel engine but I know they were unreliable and not well liked. They have been retired early as 11 plates all went in last 2 years whereas still plenty of 58 plate pure diesel around and plenty older elsewhere. Will be 10X as bad with pure electric.

184 is tracking as 28015

(01 Oct 2025, 1:00 pm)Arriva7446 wrote [ -> ]Electric buses are so boring, have no character at all, each model sounds the exact same. They are slow and will barely last 10 years without major expensive overhaul. That's why the gas buses and hybrids got retired early due to overhaul costs. They are not economical to buy or overhaul. Imagine how many more diesel buses could be bought for the same amount of cash. With the investment in electric buses you could probably replace every single bus in the North East with a brand new diesel for the same cost as the electrics coming.

As the finances simply don't add up that's why the taxpayer has had to fork out for all these buses as no well run financially competent business would ever touch one.

Passenger experience is worse as the silence when the bus is idle means you have no privacy for any conversations and everyone will hear what you say. There will be no engine noise to drown out squeaks and rattles so these will be more noticeable.

I've ridden plenty of electric buses to make these conclusions. Optare, Wright, ADL +BYD, ADL Integral, Yutong, all of them are soulless. Generally try to avoid them as much as possible but rode Arriva Blyth's Enviro 400EV just for the novelty of riding a bus to Blyth which is not 15 years old, but it's slower than the very worst of their awful 12 plate Pulsars.

In 15 years bus enthusiasm will no longer exist as a hobby due to electric buses. The hobby will be dead. I have no idea why anyone is interested in the latest news of Stagecoach getting so many electric buses, other than to avoid them at all costs of course. Hope Stagecoach Walkergate don't get any as I use the 37 often these days. I know Walkergate had the Enviro 400H which i actually kind of liked as they did have character and still the diesel engine but I know they were unreliable and not well liked. They have been retired early as 11 plates all went in last 2 years whereas still plenty of 58 plate pure diesel around and plenty older elsewhere.  Will be 10X as bad with pure electric.

I can see your point from a sentimental POV. Crazy to think a Volvo B9TL in years to come will be in the same legendary league as the likes of the Metrobus and Leyland/Volvo Olympian.