North East Buses

I thought the gas buses were quite reliable.

(04 Feb 2023, 8:09 pm)toward6931 wrote [ -> ]i think if anything they will be replacing some of the worst gas buses until tbey get new ones then probably finishing off some of the worst ALX 300s

Id imagine if they are going to be allocated to Sunderland then they will either be to replace some of the MAN E200s or to allow 4 of the Euro 6 E300s to move to Newcastle. Cant see why you'd be replacing the gas buses when there is much other vehicles that really need replacing and given they are still repainting them would suggest they are not being withdrawn soon.

Perhaps they are being acquired in case of any further expansion in North Tyneside with Nexus tenders in March?


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Had rumours of gasbuses going by November confirmed in the depot. Shame as they're nice buses.

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(05 Feb 2023, 9:34 am)Unber43 wrote [ -> ]I thought the gas buses were quite reliable.

In terms of number of breakdowns, they are, but you're lucky to get one without some form of warning light on (generally engine malfunction or brake linings worn).

28040 is the worst I've driven - it has a handbrake sensor problem meaning it often thinks the handbrake is off when it isn't. Annoying when you've got 15 pensioners getting on and the floor randomly pings up and you can't put it down again....

(05 Feb 2023, 10:12 am)F114TML wrote [ -> ]Had rumours of gasbuses going by November confirmed in the depot. Shame as they're nice buses.

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In terms of number of breakdowns, they are, but you're lucky to get one without some form of warning light on (generally engine malfunction or brake linings worn).

28040 is the worst I've driven - it has a handbrake sensor problem meaning it often thinks the handbrake is off when it isn't. Annoying when you've got 15 pensioners getting on and the floor randomly pings up and you can't put it down again....

Be interesting to see what replaces them as that's 70+ buses that need replacing and there's not a single single decker on order until the electrics turn up if including the ALX300's, Darts and MANviro 200's which are all finished.

(05 Feb 2023, 10:12 am)F114TML wrote [ -> ]Had rumours of gasbuses going by November confirmed in the depot. Shame as they're nice buses.

Shame that, what was the reason giving?, is it because they're just expensive to fix and run?

What will come in to replace them on a temp bases or is the electric buses arriving by the time November arrives?

(05 Feb 2023, 11:16 am)Michael wrote [ -> ]Shame that, what was the reason giving?, is it because they're just expensive to fix and run?

What will come in to replace them on a temp bases or is the electric buses arriving by the time November arrives?

Exactly that from what I heard when speaking to a Driver last year, quite a few of them have spent long periods VOR in the past with 28007 being a one I can remember being off for a long period last year.

What doesn't make sense to me is if Stagecoach Sunderland are looking to get rid of them then why continue to repaint them if they are to be replaced later in the year.

(04 Feb 2023, 10:49 am)toward6931 wrote [ -> ]

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from harry barker on facebook

Given the odd Fleet Numbers i'd say more could be transferring from Stagecoach Highlands.

So far we have:

27805 - SV12 CZP
27809 - SV62 BZA
27812 - SV62 BZL
27914 - SN63 VUO

Highlands still have the following which could transfer filling in the odd numbers:

27810 - SV62 BZB
27811 - SV62 BZJ
27916 - SN63 VUR
27917 - SN63 VUS

Only other ADL/Transbus E300's are 27101-27107 which are 14reg and 27536/37 which are 57reg, the odd one out 27915 (SN63 VUP) is with Stagecoach East Scotland.

The other batch of 10 E300's they have are Scania K230UB's.

(05 Feb 2023, 10:01 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Perhaps they are being acquired in case of any further expansion in North Tyneside with Nexus tenders in March?


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Stagecoach drivers using staff passes to travel the full length of 342 route, hint hint, rumours being That Stagecoach have negotiated with Nexus to take over 342 in March, similar to 317 last year.

(05 Feb 2023, 7:29 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Given the odd Fleet Numbers i'd say more could be transferring from Stagecoach Highlands.

So far we have:

27805 - SV12 CZP
27809 - SV62 BZA
27812 - SV62 BZL
27914 - SN63 VUO

Highlands still have the following which could transfer filling in the odd numbers:

27810 - SV62 BZB
27811 - SV62 BZJ
27916 - SN63 VUR
27917 - SN63 VUS

Only other ADL/Transbus E300's are 27101-27107 which are 14reg and 27536/37 which are 57reg, the odd one out 27915 (SN63 VUP) is with Stagecoach East Scotland.

The other batch of 10 E300's they have are Scania K230UB's.

Not sure they'll be going anywhere. There's been nothing in to replace them. The electrics replaced Solo's and Enviro 200's. The Enviro 300's run the 11, Black Isle, Speyside and Dingwall services.

(05 Feb 2023, 7:33 pm)minibus1474 wrote [ -> ]Stagecoach drivers using staff passes to travel the full length of 342 route, hint hint, rumours being That Stagecoach have negotiated with Nexus to take over 342 in March, similar to 317 last year.

We do have enthusiasts who enjoy riding the full length of routes and utilising their passes. Our passes are valid on A-line, Stanley Travel, GCT, Phoenix and JH Coaches secured services.

No route learning is undertaken by riding incumbent operator's services. Nexus provide route specifications and then the training department train themselves, assess the route and then show the mentors.

(05 Feb 2023, 7:33 pm)minibus1474 wrote [ -> ]Stagecoach drivers using staff passes to travel the full length of 342 route, hint hint, rumours being That Stagecoach have negotiated with Nexus to take over 342 in March, similar to 317 last year.

If true, this also means they will be operating the evening and Sunday 41A service.

(05 Feb 2023, 7:37 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Not sure they'll be going anywhere. There's been nothing in to replace them. The electrics replaced Solo's and Enviro 200's. The Enviro 300's run the 11, Black Isle, Speyside and Dingwall services.

Highland are due a large number of new vehicles this year on top of the already delivered Yutongs - 20 more Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evoras (16 12.9m examples numbered 21401-16, and 4 10.8m examples 39508-11) along with the 17 additional E400MMCs on top of the 200 originally announced (11791-97) with the intention of replacing almost the entire pre-MMC Enviros from the fleet, most of which are either now based at Inverness depot or the Aviemore outstation. Cascades out of Highlands to replace other older stock elsewhere is the majority of movements so far this year (the E200s having moved to Bluebird as Solo replacements - Bluebird are also expecting some of the displaced E400s later in the year to replace the non-standard ALX400-bodied B7TLs and the 4 B9TL/Olympus). So, plenty of vehicles spare to help in the rest of the Stagecoach fleet.

(05 Feb 2023, 7:37 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Not sure they'll be going anywhere. There's been nothing in to replace them. The electrics replaced Solo's and Enviro 200's. The Enviro 300's run the 11, Black Isle, Speyside and Dingwall services.

The 11 is allocated E200MMC's 26127-30 with 26128/29 carrying branding for the service promoting links to Inverness Airport.

(05 Feb 2023, 8:02 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Highland are due a large number of new vehicles this year on top of the already delivered Yutongs - 20 more Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evoras (16 12.9m examples numbered 21401-16, and 4 10.8m examples 39508-11) along with the 17 additional E400MMCs on top of the 200 originally announced (11791-97) with the intention of replacing almost the entire pre-MMC Enviros from the fleet, most of which are either now based at Inverness depot or the Aviemore outstation. Cascades out of Highlands to replace other older stock elsewhere is the majority of movements so far this year (the E200s having moved to Bluebird as Solo replacements - Bluebird are also expecting some of the displaced E400s later in the year to replace the non-standard ALX400-bodied B7TLs and the 4 B9TL/Olympus). So, plenty of vehicles spare to help in the rest of the Stagecoach fleet.

Forgot about that actually, didn't realise they were coming this year thought it was 2024. Quite an impressive fleet they're getting up there, mind not surprised though as the current fleet was in appalling state last time I was up there last Summer. Ironically one of the worst buses we had to suffer following it towards Beauly is one of the ones that's turned up here I believe. Not nice getting Diesel fumes for 30 minutes.

(05 Feb 2023, 8:09 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]The 11 is allocated E200MMC's 26127-30 with 26128/29 carrying branding for the service promoting links to Inverness Airport.

It interworks with the Black Isle services though so the PVR is higher than 4 now.

(01 Feb 2023, 10:05 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]You recon they’re all still being transferred? All of the ALX300’s and older E300s are being used without any issues bar 22889 which broke down today. 24116,117&123 are currently off the road, 24116 has the whole front end missing off it and sat at the back of Slatyford’s yard unsure if that’ll ever see service again. Not sure about 24121 as it doesn’t track.

Noted 24121 this evening at Eldon Square on X78/X82 duties. Still not tracking but still at Slatyford.

Wonder what depot would get the 342 if stagecoach get awarded the tender.

(05 Feb 2023, 10:11 pm)lloyd647 wrote [ -> ]Wonder what depot would get the 342 if stagecoach get awarded the tender.

Could go either way. Driver change over at each end. Slatyford would be Kingston Park & Walkergate would be Wallsend

(05 Feb 2023, 11:48 pm)Aaron21 wrote [ -> ]Could go either way. Driver change over at each end. Slatyford would be Kingston Park & Walkergate would be Wallsend

Rumour was Slatyford as they can easily change at westerhope or do what the 31 does and head down to slatyford depot to change driver except evenings and Sundays where they’d have to head to Kingston park but wallsend would be good for Walkergate so could go either way

(06 Feb 2023, 10:46 am)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]Rumour was Slatyford as they can easily change at westerhope or do what the 31 does and head down to slatyford depot to change driver except evenings and Sundays where they’d have to head to Kingston park but wallsend would be good for Walkergate so could go either way

I do wonder if Stagecoach will bring in any changes to the request of nexus for the 342. Could Stagecoach really do the Westerhope to Kingston Park part. Could even reroute it via Dinnington & Airport for links to there other services and to give the Dinnington residents a link to Newcastle due to the Arriva running part. 

Tbh I don't understand why the 342 was rerouted to miss out Dinnington and serve that road to Kingston Parkm possibly a GCT probably with an hourly service but not sure

(06 Feb 2023, 12:24 pm)Aaron21 wrote [ -> ]I do wonder if Stagecoach will bring in any changes to the request of nexus for the 342. Could Stagecoach really do the Westerhope to Kingston Park part. Could even reroute it via Dinnington & Airport for links to there other services and to give the Dinnington residents a link to Newcastle due to the Arriva running part. 

Tbh I don't understand why the 342 was rerouted to miss out Dinnington and serve that road to Kingston Park possibly a GCT probably with an hourly service but not sure

They could but would probably need to use Enviro 200’s like the ones on 32’s due to parked cars around Newbiggin hall etc. Rerouting it especially to the Airport would be good especially since there’s only a few buses that go there X78,77,79 2 of which only operate certain times of the day. Be interesting what they do with it if they are awarded the contract.

(06 Feb 2023, 1:38 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote [ -> ]They could but would probably need to use Enviro 200’s like the ones on 32’s due to parked cars around Newbiggin hall etc. Rerouting it especially to the Airport would be good especially since there’s only a few buses that go there X78,77,79 2 of which only operate certain times of the day. Be interesting what they do with it if they are awarded the contract.

That is not Stagecoach's decision to make, as Nexus set the routes and timetables.

(06 Feb 2023, 1:40 pm)Thomas12 wrote [ -> ]That is not Stagecoach's decision to make, as Nexus set the routes and timetables.

They could in term talk to Nexus and put forwards an idea on what they want and Nexus see it fit. 

Being honest I can't see Stagecoach run it every hour. More like every 30 minutes for them. Be surprised if they do put it every hour

I have a feeling the 342 will serve the Great Park when the new road opens, there's no way of getting there from the North currently especially when the Morrison's opens next month. It just can't atm.

(06 Feb 2023, 1:40 pm)Thomas12 wrote [ -> ]That is not Stagecoach's decision to make, as Nexus set the routes and timetables.

Which is why there's a number 37 from Washington to Tunstall Bank. Oh wait, it's the 39B and continues to the town and Pennywell See also 61A.

(06 Feb 2023, 2:45 pm)F114TML wrote [ -> ]Which is why there's a number 37 from Washington to Tunstall Bank. Oh wait, it's the 39B and continues to the town and Pennywell See also 61A.

Yes but Nexus would've set the route and timetable specification - it is just the 39B instead of the 37.

If SC do win the 342, could it possibly interwork with the 317, interesting to see nobody has mentioned the 335

(06 Feb 2023, 2:21 pm)Aaron21 wrote [ -> ]They could in term talk to Nexus and put forwards an idea on what they want and Nexus see it fit. 

Being honest I can't see Stagecoach run it every hour. More like every 30 minutes for them. Be surprised if they do put it every hour

You can't 'talk' to people when doing a tender. You put a bid in and that's it. If they want to put a bid in doing an extension instead then that's an option but it won't involve active discussions beforehand otherwise it makes a mockery of the tendering.

If any route involves extensions, I can imagine it being bolted onto the hourly 87 it ends where the 342 starts. If you flipped the 72/87 around then it would timetable perfectly to connect with it aswell at 18 minutes past which would give a 30 minute service thereabouts with the 6 from Westerhope to Kingston Park.

Stagecoach Manchester’s 11254 has arrived at SNE’s Sunderland Depot for a tour of some sort, this was posted onto an enthusiast group on Facebook


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Stagecoach network route maps looks like they've finally been updated on the website in the new style across all North East areas.