North East Buses

27727 seems to be back at Sunderland, bringing back some nostalgia on the Es this evening, alongside 27180 which has been on for most of the day...

(12 Feb 2026, 5:31 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]Them 3 have been taken off the road now (73057/58/59) so I’m guessing they’re going back to Sunderland and Slatyford were just struggling for buses today.

Yes theses three buses have gone back now. Slatyford are really struggling for buses at the minute.

(12 Feb 2026, 9:11 pm)Busesinnewcastle wrote [ -> ]Yes theses three buses have gone back now. Slatyford are really struggling for buses at the minute.

Yeah because the fleet is horrendous. With the plan of knocking the parking shed down once the chargers on the back yard are done to allow the 18 buses out on the 30/31/36 I do wonder if the plan is for Slatyford to go fully electric. The neighbours would complain about the noise of diesel buses, and the fact they’re not maintaining the buses very well makes me think there’s a plan in place for EV’s.

(12 Feb 2026, 9:30 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]Yeah because the fleet is horrendous. With the plan of knocking the parking shed down once the chargers on the back yard are done to allow the 18 buses out on the 30/31/36 I do wonder if the plan is for Slatyford to go fully electric. The neighbours would complain about the noise of diesel buses, and the fact they’re not maintaining the buses very well makes me think there’s a plan in place for EV’s.

Yes I agree they aren’t maintaining them well at all take the 262s for example there was loads of the road 26289 has been of the road for ages so has 26292 personally these buses on the 685s are no good and the 106s are rubbish they are losing power by the day!

(12 Feb 2026, 9:11 pm)Busesinnewcastle wrote [ -> ]Yes theses three buses have gone back now. Slatyford are really struggling for buses at the minute.

One of the E200s (36468 possibly) was my X47 home earlier - how those things aren't scrapped is beyond me. No redeeming qualities at all, and completely unsuitable for any service around Newcastle. 

They'd have been far far better off keeping the 24xxx E300s in service imo, at least they could somewhat handle the loadings (and weren't quite as bad inside!). 

As an aside - how 19389 is still going baffles me. It's comfortably the slowest E400 I've ever been on, and when I was last upstairs on it in December the pillar was fully detaching from the upper windscreen every time there was any impact (bump in the road etc.).

(12 Feb 2026, 10:01 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]One of the E200s (36468 possibly) was my X47 home earlier - how those things aren't scrapped is beyond me. No redeeming qualities at all, and completely unsuitable for any service around Newcastle. 

They'd have been far far better off keeping the 24xxx E300s in service imo, at least they could somewhat handle the loadings (and weren't quite as bad inside!). 

As an aside - how 19389 is still going baffles me. It's comfortably the slowest E400 I've ever been on, and when I was last upstairs on it in December the pillar was fully detaching from the upper windscreen every time there was any impact (bump in the road etc.).

The 364**’s in theory should leave Slatyford when the 32/32A leave. There is no need for them anymore and if they don’t leave then there’s something wrong.

(12 Feb 2026, 10:01 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]One of the E200s (36468 possibly) was my X47 home earlier - how those things aren't scrapped is beyond me. No redeeming qualities at all, and completely unsuitable for any service around Newcastle. 

They'd have been far far better off keeping the 24xxx E300s in service imo, at least they could somewhat handle the loadings (and weren't quite as bad inside!). 

As an aside - how 19389 is still going baffles me. It's comfortably the slowest E400 I've ever been on, and when I was last upstairs on it in December the pillar was fully detaching from the upper windscreen every time there was any impact (bump in the road etc.).

Oh I know I don’t know how half of Slatyfords fleet are still going not maintained at all. Don’t even say anything about 19389 sounds terrible and as you say terribly slow

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(12 Feb 2026, 10:19 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]The 364**’s in theory should leave Slatyford when the 32/32A leave. There is no need for them anymore and if they don’t leave then there’s something wrong.

Yes I hope they do. And I bet Slatydord don’t get anything in return

(12 Feb 2026, 10:22 pm)Busesinnewcastle wrote [ -> ]Yes I hope they do. And I bet Slatydord don’t get anything in return

Shouldn’t need anything. We’ve got 10 out of 18 Yutongs out and then lose 6 buses for 32’s once the other 8 EV’s come out that’ll withdraw the last 3 241**’s and potentially the 277**’s with the 364**’s going as they won’t be needed.

I think ? that stagecoach boss want stagecoach go to all electric buses i think that good all the depot are getting in the act now.

(12 Feb 2026, 11:10 am)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]73056 has gone back to Sunderland today so I’d imagine 73103 must be back soon.

73056 back at Stockton today - possibly will stay given the upcoming PVR increase at the end of next month.

(13 Feb 2026, 8:09 am)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]73056 back at Stockton today - possibly will stay given the upcoming PVR increase at the end of next month.

Must have gone to Sunderland to cover them sending a few buses to Slatyford. Obviously easier than sending 73056 all the way to Slatyford haha. Wonder if 73176 could end up back at Stockton if they need more buses or if that is Slatyford’s permanently and there’s no chance of that.

Anyone else spot the number 10 at grangetown this morning with a destination of 10 low Simonside. Thought I was seeing things

(13 Feb 2026, 3:55 pm)Acky81 wrote [ -> ]Anyone else spot the number 10 at grangetown this morning with a destination of 10 low Simonside. Thought I was seeing things

Sunderland buses have all of Shields destinations on too.

27727 now at South Shields… what’s the deal with that? Is it no longer Slatyford’s bus?

(13 Feb 2026, 3:55 pm)Acky81 wrote [ -> ]Anyone else spot the number 10 at grangetown this morning with a destination of 10 low Simonside. Thought I was seeing things

This is the same as GNE, it's easier for when buses are moved around or loaned to each depot , meaning destinations don't need updating or programmed for every depots

(13 Feb 2026, 6:24 pm)Retro Nero wrote [ -> ]This is the same as GNE, it's easier for when buses are moved around or loaned to each depot , meaning destinations don't need updating or programmed for every depots

So driver punched in the wrong 10 by mistake?

(13 Feb 2026, 7:46 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]So driver punched in the wrong 10 by mistake?

Yes that's right

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(12 Feb 2026, 9:11 pm)Busesinnewcastle wrote [ -> ]Yes theses three buses have gone back now. Slatyford are really struggling for buses at the minute.

Yes all 3 followed each other into Wheatsheaf around 615pm

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I know this is SC thread but about Dest Displays Ive seen a couple instead of NIS theyve put 1 Metrocentre Asda.

Cannot lie if I was a driver I would probs put random ones in on the way back to Depot for the fun

Slatyfords fleet is shocking.I 100% agree with whoever said about how the e200s are just not out of their depot,they’re useless as they will be so largely packed about mid way through a route and how unbelievably unreliable they are,Then the 106**s are beyond horrific,i cannot remember the fleet code but it was either 10647 or 10648 the other day had broke down on the X47 on Tudor way near Ponteland road,Stuck for about 15 minutes until 2 buses behind came to the rescue mid rush hour.Slatyford must up their maintenance management as soon as possible or it will go downhill quick.The 262**s just have broken NSAs half the time due to bad maintenance aswell,but at least NSA is the least important thing that slatyford has to worry about,but shows how shocking slatyford are at the moment.Something needs done very quick tbh.(Didn't mean for this to be a paragraph btw lol)

(14 Feb 2026, 9:51 pm)BusEnthusiast.com wrote [ -> ]Slatyfords fleet is shocking.I 100% agree with whoever said about how the e200s are just not out of their depot,they’re useless as they will be so largely packed about mid way through a route and how unbelievably unreliable they are,Then the 106**s are beyond horrific,i cannot remember the fleet code but it was either 10647 or 10648 the other day had broke down on the X47 on Tudor way near Ponteland road,Stuck for about 15 minutes until 2 buses behind came to the rescue mid rush hour.Slatyford must up their maintenance management as soon as possible or it will go downhill quick.The 262**s just have broken NSAs half the time due to bad maintenance aswell,but at least NSA is the least important thing that slatyford has to worry about,but shows how shocking slatyford are at the moment.Something needs done very quick tbh.(Didn't mean for this to be a paragraph btw lol)

You’re right the fleet is shocking, a lot of the E200’s are slow as hell, the 26***’s are shocking have been for a while. I’m pretty sure every bus in the depot has at least one warning light on the dash (bar the Yutongs as they’re still new). Slatyford need investment but because of all this franchising talk they aren’t getting it. They got new management the other week and they’re more concerned about changing the evening run in operation, raffling off holidays to help raise money for a driver who lost a loved one (fair enough that’s fine) but also celebrating a drivers 55 years at the company, good achievement but to be throwing a party for that and other things rather than trying to sort the depot is a bit overkill. The depot has been going downhill constantly the past couple of years, drivers are fed up now.

(14 Feb 2026, 11:07 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]You’re right the fleet is shocking, a lot of the E200’s are slow as hell, the 26***’s are shocking have been for a while. I’m pretty sure every bus in the depot has at least one warning light on the dash (bar the Yutongs as they’re still new). Slatyford need investment but because of all this franchising talk they aren’t getting it. They got new management the other week and they’re more concerned about changing the evening run in operation, raffling off holidays to help raise money for a driver who lost a loved one (fair enough that’s fine) but also celebrating a drivers 55 years at the company, good achievement but to be throwing a party for that and other things rather than trying to sort the depot is a bit overkill. The depot has been going downhill constantly the past couple of years, drivers are fed up now.

I wonder if when Slatyford lose the 32/32a and walkergate lose the 18 I wonder if walkergate might give Slatyford some of there buses? Also do you have any idea when the other electrics are coming back to Slatyford or if anything else is happening with Slatyford/walkergate?

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(14 Feb 2026, 11:07 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]You’re right the fleet is shocking, a lot of the E200’s are slow as hell, the 26***’s are shocking have been for a while. I’m pretty sure every bus in the depot has at least one warning light on the dash (bar the Yutongs as they’re still new). Slatyford need investment but because of all this franchising talk they aren’t getting it. They got new management the other week and they’re more concerned about changing the evening run in operation, raffling off holidays to help raise money for a driver who lost a loved one (fair enough that’s fine) but also celebrating a drivers 55 years at the company, good achievement but to be throwing a party for that and other things rather than trying to sort the depot is a bit overkill. The depot has been going downhill constantly the past couple of years, drivers are fed up now.

I wonder if when Slatyford lose the 32/32a and walkergate lose the 18 I wonder if walkergate might give Slatyford some of there buses? Also do you have any idea when the other electrics are coming back to Slatyford or if anything else is happening with Slatyford/walkergate?

(15 Feb 2026, 12:43 am)Busesinnewcastle wrote [ -> ]I wonder if when Slatyford lose the 32/32a and walkergate lose the 18 I wonder if walkergate might give Slatyford some of there buses? Also do you have any idea when the other electrics are coming back to Slatyford or if anything else is happening with Slatyford/walkergate?

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I wonder if when Slatyford lose the 32/32a and walkergate lose the 18 I wonder if walkergate might give Slatyford some of there buses? Also do you have any idea when the other electrics are coming back to Slatyford or if anything else is happening with Slatyford/walkergate?

We don't know for certain Slatyford have lost the 32/32A and Walkergate have lost the 18 do we? The final awards haven't been announced yet. Slatyford will presumably be getting more electric buses into service when the charges are installed, and could potentially get even more soon for other services. Can't see much changing at Walkergate just because of the 18 being awarded to Northstar.

According to bustimes 73157 is currently working for hartlepool's service 1 to throston Grange

(15 Feb 2026, 3:17 pm)Nick2006 wrote [ -> ]According to bustimes 73157 is currently working for hartlepool's service 1 to throston Grange

Same as 73155 working a 7 for hartlepool - Stockton cover Hartlepool ops on a Sunday and cover breakdowns / late running services

(14 Feb 2026, 9:51 pm)BusEnthusiast.com wrote [ -> ]Slatyfords fleet is shocking.I 100% agree with whoever said about how the e200s are just not out of their depot,they’re useless as they will be so largely packed about mid way through a route and how unbelievably unreliable they are,Then the 106**s are beyond horrific,i cannot remember the fleet code but it was either 10647 or 10648 the other day had broke down on the X47 on Tudor way near Ponteland road,Stuck for about 15 minutes until 2 buses behind came to the rescue mid rush hour.Slatyford must up their maintenance management as soon as possible or it will go downhill quick.The 262**s just have broken NSAs half the time due to bad maintenance aswell,but at least NSA is the least important thing that slatyford has to worry about,but shows how shocking slatyford are at the moment.Something needs done very quick tbh.(Didn't mean for this to be a paragraph btw lol)

The only decent buses Slatyford have now are the electric buses everything else is destroyed. 106s are slow and hardly any power 262s have been destroyed since they came up especially with them being on the 685 all the time. E200s are rubbish and the 260s are rubbish as well. I was on 26077 the other week and there’s hardly any power about it!!

The 32/32A are not leaving Slatyford this year. Exactly like last year Gateshead Central won them but don’t have the buses or drivers to do them so they’ve been given back to Stagecoach.

Is there an EV charger issue at Sunderland? I had to use the bus this morning, and the driver was talking to another driver and his vehicle only had 25% charge remaining (this was just before 10am). Surely, 75% of the battery life can't have been used from the start of service until 10am? He had asked for a replacement, but was told to continue.

Is there a limit when a vehicle must be removed from service to be charged? We have an electric car, and according to the manufacturer, battery level shouldn't be allowed to drop below 20% (if it does, then you have reduced power and reduced function etc).

(16 Feb 2026, 1:06 pm)morritt89 wrote [ -> ]Is there an EV charger issue at Sunderland? I had to use the bus this morning, and the driver was talking to another driver and his vehicle only had 25% charge remaining (this was just before 10am). Surely, 75% of the battery life can't have been used from the start of service until 10am? He had asked for a replacement, but was told to continue.

Is there a limit when a vehicle must be removed from service to be charged? We have an electric car, and according to the manufacturer, battery level shouldn't be allowed to drop below 20% (if it does, then you have reduced power and reduced function etc).

1. Yes there is
2. We were told to ring it in at 30% and it shouldn't go under 20% but no one seems to abide by that.

(16 Feb 2026, 12:37 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]The 32/32A are not leaving Slatyford this year. Exactly like last year Gateshead Central won them but don’t have the buses or drivers to do them so they’ve been given back to Stagecoach.

So do you know anything of when Slatyford are getting any of the electric buses for the 32/32a? The electric points seem to be taking forever

(16 Feb 2026, 9:54 pm)Busesinnewcastle wrote [ -> ]So do you know anything of when Slatyford are getting any of the electric buses for the 32/32a? The electric points seem to be taking forever

Can’t imagine they’d be buying something new for a contract they didn’t even win. Nexus contracts are usually only one year too so by the time you order something now (with the lead time) they’d be delivered after you lose it next year…