North East Buses

(30 Dec 2025, 5:26 pm)ross13 wrote [ -> ]1450 (YJ59 BUH) was road tested this morning by Darlington engineers and it is now currently parked up in the service line up in faverdale yard

Okay thanks for confirming

Seen a post earlier today stating thst 1396 has ran out if mot

MX09EKW has entered service at Stockton this morning as 1368.

1447 tracking at stockton on the 28 today

(02 Jan 2026, 11:11 am)Ryland wrote [ -> ]1447 tracking at stockton on the 28 today

Ye it was on the X22 on 31st December tracking as SP SN, I’ve been told it’s on loan to Stockton until about February/March time

Anyone know what Stocktons PVR's are for each service?

Unsure what the issue was, but saw an X12 heading North on the A19 between Mandale and the A66.

It was in service, had passengers on board, but was clearly on some sort of diversion. 

Quite an unusual sight.

Edit: don't know why I didn't check in the first place, but Bustimes has it down as 1481.
https://bustimes.org/vehicles/anea-ane-1...2026-01-21

(21 Jan 2026, 11:10 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Unsure what the issue was, but saw an X12 heading North on the A19 between Mandale and the A66.

It was in service, had passengers on board, but was clearly on some sort of diversion. 

Quite an unusual sight.

Edit: don't know why I didn't check in the first place, but Bustimes has it down as 1481.
https://bustimes.org/vehicles/anea-ane-1...2026-01-21

Closure of the A66 underneath the flyover probably caused this

(22 Jan 2026, 12:10 am)Stuartphin1639 wrote [ -> ]Closure of the A66 underneath the flyover probably caused this

I wondered if it was to do with works, but the following vehicle didn't show the same diversion on Bustimes.

1447 has been working Stockton's 15 all day. Is it a loan or transfer?

(25 Jan 2026, 6:10 pm)Bus Lad Roy wrote [ -> ]1447 has been working Stockton's 15 all day. Is it a loan or transfer?

A long term loan to cover for numerous streetlites VOR with chassis issues

I’ve just found out some information about Stockton brand new 18 E200MMCs

I’ve been told that Stockton’s brand new 18 E200MMCs will arrive around July time this year

(29 Jan 2026, 5:37 pm)busesofthenortheast wrote [ -> ]I’ve just found out some information about Stockton brand new 18 E200MMCs

I’ve been told that Stockton’s brand new 18 E200MMCs will arrive around July time this year

Ahh nice. The Question is, what Pulsars will they be replacing. 
I personally would scrap the oldest ones first or send them over to Redcar. Or consindering how good, they've been. They could be sold on to independents as alot of people would be interested in using them so scrapping them would be less beneficial and it will get some extra money in for Arriva by selling them on.
1368
1379
1380
1383
1384
1385
1387
1388
1405 (Already been withdrawn anyways but had no replacement)
1410
1414
1415
1422
1428
1432
1451
1452
1453.

However, they could get rid of the oldest Pulsars from Redcar, Stockton and Darlo and then whatever pulsars are left spare at stockton, send them out to the depots where ever needed. Redcar have a fair few MX09's along with stockton having some 59's and Darlo has some 59's also. I would get rid of most of the Merseyside ones and keep the North East Originals for now until more MMC's Arriva in the future. 

However, if people know whats actually happening with the Pulsars, let us know !

(29 Jan 2026, 6:09 pm)Mike_98 wrote [ -> ]Ahh nice. The Question is, what Pulsars will they be replacing. 
I personally would scrap the oldest ones first or send them over to Redcar. Or consindering how good, they've been. They could be sold on to independents as alot of people would be interested in using them so scrapping them would be less beneficial and it will get some extra money in for Arriva by selling them on.
1368
1379
1380
1383
1384
1385
1387
1388
1405 (Already been withdrawn anyways but had no replacement)
1410
1414
1415
1422
1428
1432
1451
1452
1453.

However, they could get rid of the oldest Pulsars from Redcar, Stockton and Darlo and then whatever pulsars are left spare at stockton, send them out to the depots where ever needed. Redcar have a fair few MX09's along with stockton having some 59's and Darlo has some 59's also. I would get rid of most of the Merseyside ones and keep the North East Originals for now until more MMC's Arriva in the future. 

However, if people know whats actually happening with the Pulsars, let us know !

Well I was told that 1451-1460 could be getting withdrawn I’m not 100% sure but that what I was told, I’m not sure what’s happening with 1368/1379/1380/1383/1384/1385/1387 or 1388 but I think the new 18 E200MMCs will probably replace them, I’m also not sure what the new fleet numbers will be for the new 18 E200MMCs tho

I'd imagine every Pulsar upto 1460 is on borrowed time. How they're withdrawn and which go first then who knows.

Considering there's 18 Pulsars at Stockton in this batch, and there's 18 E200MMC's coming probably says what they're doing though without any evidence tbf.

Arriva are probably going to simply get rid of all the oldest Pulsar's first, but they should really try and do it in a more thought out way than that.

When they got rid of the Optare Solo's, they also got rid of the oldest first (08 plate), which meant some really reliable vehicles like 2812 and 2837 went, whereas some newer (59 plate) but much less reliable vehicles stayed, like 2855. I would rather they had a look across all Pulsars, and if there is some newer ones, say 61 plate, which are causing a lot of bother, they could withdraw them instead, and keep the most reliable older ones. It shouldn't just be about age, they should take into account reliability too. Like 1497 at Ashington 61 plate, seems ok on the local stuff but breaks down on the express work, if there is an older reliable one, keep that instead.

Does anyone know how the seating capacity of the new E200MMC's compares to that of the Pulsars?

(31 Jan 2026, 9:20 am)tvd wrote [ -> ]Does anyone know how the seating capacity of the new E200MMC's compares to that of

Assuming they’ve gone for the 43 seater option, it’s 1 less seat

Service 5 must be a difficult route to timetable? Yesterday, Saturday we left Middlesbrough Bus Station some 8 minutes down on the scheduled 0910 departure, were back on time by Guisborough and then waited for time at the various timing points through to Loftus, where I left the service.

It has to difficult to accommodate all the various situations that drivers find themselves in? Coming down the Cargo Fleet car park at most times of the day is a classic example.

If anyone has any comments please share.

(01 Mar 2026, 4:10 pm)robisdave4554 wrote [ -> ]Service 5 must be a difficult route to timetable? Yesterday, Saturday we left Middlesbrough Bus Station some 8 minutes down on the scheduled 0910 departure, were back on time by Guisborough and then waited for time at the various timing points through to Loftus, where I left the service.

It has to difficult to accommodate all the various situations that drivers find themselves in? Coming down the Cargo Fleet car park at most times of the day is a classic example.

If anyone has any comments please share.

Inevitably, it will have lost time again in Loftus at the crossroads.
Noticed temporary lights are up there *again*.

(01 Mar 2026, 4:10 pm)robisdave4554 wrote [ -> ]Service 5 must be a difficult route to timetable? Yesterday, Saturday we left Middlesbrough Bus Station some 8 minutes down on the scheduled 0910 departure, were back on time by Guisborough and then waited for time at the various timing points through to Loftus, where I left the service.

It has to difficult to accommodate all the various situations that drivers find themselves in? Coming down the Cargo Fleet car park at most times of the day is a classic example.

If anyone has any comments please share.

I drove the 5s solid for nearly two years, and overall for five years. I know that route inside out. It can be a nightmare at the best of times but it’s a good route as a driver, nice mix of everything - despite the inevitable car park on Cargo Fleet…!

(02 Mar 2026, 6:06 am)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]I drove the 5s solid for nearly two years, and overall for five years. I know that route inside out. It can be a nightmare at the best of times but it’s a good route as a driver, nice mix of everything - despite the inevitable car park on Cargo Fleet…!

Hi there Tyresmoke, good to hear from you. 5's are what they are and there will never be an ideal scenario for them no matter what. Roadworks, aka Loftus, spring up all the while.
Then sometimes it can, to my mind, depend on the driver of a given service. Some, like yourself, enjoy them, seemingly and others are happier around town. It'll be interesting to see how the 28/81 combination works out? New territory for Stockton drivers?

1557 was traveling from Redcar towards Middlesbrough on the a66 with 2 fitters any ideas why it was in redcar

1383 been repainted into an all blue livery

Thought Arriva had given up on the concept of repainting their fleet??

(18 Mar 2026, 7:21 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]1383 been repainted into an all blue livery

Gonna admit its an eyesore looks  bad from understanding  it  the mx59 Pulsar's will be replaced by Evoras  so why paint vechales that's gonna get removed from the fleet  ?


Ignore  the romers on other socal sites  saying 4501 to 10 will transfer to Stockton  its not true  there are staying at Redcar/Whitby  depot as there have successfully improved the x4s puncture and time  so I thought i would mentioned it here  if anyone came cross the incorrect romer

(18 Mar 2026, 7:21 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]1383 been repainted into an all blue livery

Not sure I’d call it repainted. They’ve painted the front of it… the rest is still original!

(18 Mar 2026, 9:42 pm)Dan manger wrote [ -> ]Gonna admit its an eyesore looks  bad from understanding  it  the mx59 Pulsar's will be replaced by Evoras  so why paint vechales that's gonna get removed from the fleet  ?


Ignore  the romers on other socal sites  saying 4501 to 10 will transfer to Stockton  its not true  there are staying at Redcar/Whitby  depot as there have successfully improved the x4s puncture and time  so I thought i would mentioned it here  if anyone came cross the incorrect romer

First of no one mentioned anything about 4501-4510 moving to Stockton, second Stockton are getting brand new Evoras not the ones from Redcar and thirdly I don’t think the Evoras will be replacing the MX59 plate pulsars I got told they might be replacing 1451-1460 but who knows we will soon find out when the new Evoras will arrive at Stockton

(19 Mar 2026, 2:27 am)busesofthenortheast wrote [ -> ]First of no one mentioned anything about 4501-4510 moving to Stockton, second Stockton are getting brand new Evoras not the ones from Redcar and thirdly I don’t think the Evoras will be replacing the MX59 plate pulsars I got told they might be replacing 1451-1460 but who knows we will soon find out when the new Evoras will arrive at Stockton

It would make sense moving 4501-10 to Stockton and keeping all of the type together. Why should Redcar get another 24 new buses on top of the 10 they got last year and Stockton only 10 in total? And why remove the branding from 4505?
They won't replace a block like that. It will depend which are in worst condition or out of test. Eg 1396 from Darlington came off.

Pulsar 1410 must be the pride of your fleet? It was re-painted some while ago but always seems to stand out and be recognised from the rest. Not a bad engine on it either..