North East Buses

6810 is tracking as 6051 Crusader today

(29 Jan 2026, 7:04 am)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]6810 is tracking as 6051 Crusader today

Yes it was a few days ago aswell

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Anyone know where the diesel ultroliners have been allocated by fleet number please.  Thank you

(29 Jan 2026, 3:41 pm)ouston man wrote [ -> ]Anyone know where the diesel ultroliners have been allocated by fleet number please.  Thank you

6378-6383 (Consett)
6384-6396 (Washington)
6397-6400 (Riverside)

(29 Jan 2026, 5:06 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]6378-6383 (Consett)
6384-6396 (Washington)
6397-6400 (Riverside)

many thanks

Which BHP did GNE go for in the diesel ultroliners? I did a search on a vehicle enquiry site,and one of them came back as 300bhp.

6820/6821 have both entered service on the 58 today.

6820 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ateposted/

6821 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ateposted/

(30 Jan 2026, 4:46 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]6820/6821 have both entered service on the 58 today.

6820 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ateposted/

6821 - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ateposted/

6820 died on the bank on split crow road about 1:30

(30 Jan 2026, 7:00 pm)Ian1254 wrote [ -> ]6820 died on the bank on split crow road about 1:30

I've seen there's been a few wobblers with the new Ultroliners (both diesel / ev).

At least not as bad as when 6071-83 got pulled off the road on launch day back in 2013, and a mad scramble to get the Mercs intended for the 27 from Sunderland Road back to Winlaton / Hexham.

6820 did indeed break down on Split Crow Road, was recovered by alpha.

Had my first drive of one today, can't say I've very impressed with them.

(30 Jan 2026, 7:00 pm)Ian1254 wrote [ -> ]6820 died on the bank on split crow road about 1:30

Looking at my Exif Data I photographed it at Gateshead 13:20ish

6823 looks to also potentially entered service, currently tracking on Bustimes.org on the 21 to CLS. 

https://bustimes.org/services/21-gateshe...n-birt#map

No other Electroliners are out on the 21/58's this evening.

Yes this did a few trips on the 21 this evening, replaced 6807 that had low battery charge.

(30 Jan 2026, 8:05 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]6823 looks to also potentially entered service, currently tracking on Bustimes.org on the 21 to CLS. 

https://bustimes.org/services/21-gateshe...n-birt#map

No other Electroliners are out on the 21/58's this evening.

A have a feeling those Voltra Deckers will spend more time on the 21 then the actual 58.

(30 Jan 2026, 7:10 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]I've seen there's been a few wobblers with the new Ultroliners (both diesel / ev).

At least not as bad as when 6071-83 got pulled off the road on launch day back in 2013, and a mad scramble to get the Mercs intended for the 27 from Sunderland Road back to Winlaton / Hexham.

What was that all about? I wasn't into buses then so have never heard about this?

(30 Jan 2026, 9:54 pm)Arriva7446 wrote [ -> ]What was that all about? I wasn't into buses then so have never heard about this?

https://www.northeastbuses.co.uk/showthr...p?tid=1239&page=3

Does the 21 PVR cover the N21 or even the later runs?

Do the electrics have the range to cover from that first departure at 4am ex Durham to the last one at 23.46 ex Newcastle?

(01 Feb 2026, 9:41 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]Do the electrics have the range to cover from that first departure at 4am ex Durham to the last one at 23.46 ex Newcastle?

No, the ones that have been going out first thing in the morning are normally on 15-20% by 4pm.

(01 Feb 2026, 9:48 pm)NL62WVW wrote [ -> ]No, the ones that have been going out first thing in the morning are normally on 15-20% by 4pm.

So the angel will be…less clean of an evening

Doesn’t fit with Dim Kim publicity.o

(01 Feb 2026, 9:48 pm)NL62WVW wrote [ -> ]No, the ones that have been going out first thing in the morning are normally on 15-20% by 4pm.

Must be an Efficiency issue there then as that figure is lower than what Wrightbus stating there data often shows a figure of around 30% at the point of returning to the depot on 2nd Gen Models which built from 2025 onwards. 

Sounds to me like the following needs to be done.

A.) Additional Buses are required to cover PVR as there is not enough.
B.) Re-charging points are required across the route to boost battery during the day.
C.) Re-work of "Service Scheduling" i.e. interworking of CLS Shorts/Durham Longs and finding alternative solutions to combat issues being faced currently thus to ensure EV's are out in service for the full day from first service to last service.

Can't foresee the above being an issue with the 58's given the operational milage will be significantly less than the 21's. 

One thing I would potentially look at is cutting the Brandon runs to terminate at Durham and then have alternative service cover the Durham-Brandon section which would save 7 miles of battery milage, iirc from the current scheduling they do 3 Newcastle - Brandon returns per day which would save 21 miles per bus used which in turn would see the efficiency percentage increase as the Buses would have more battery to enable them to stay in service longer per day.

(01 Feb 2026, 9:41 pm)Ambassador wrote [ -> ]Do the electrics have the range to cover from that first departure at 4am ex Durham to the last one at 23.46 ex Newcastle?

Coincidentally I've got the bus that does the 0422 out of Durham on my shift later on this afternoon so will be able to see what charge is left in it.

(02 Feb 2026, 12:00 am)GetMalarkey wrote [ -> ]Must be an Efficiency issue there then as that figure is lower than what Wrightbus stating there data often shows a figure of around 30% at the point of returning to the depot on 2nd Gen Models which built from 2025 onwards. 

Sounds to me like the following needs to be done.

A.) Additional Buses are required to cover PVR as there is not enough.
B.) Re-charging points are required across the route to boost battery during the day.
C.) Re-work of "Service Scheduling" i.e. interworking of CLS Shorts/Durham Longs and finding alternative solutions to combat issues being faced currently thus to ensure EV's are out in service for the full day from first service to last service.

Can't foresee the above being an issue with the 58's given the operational milage will be significantly less than the 21's. 

One thing I would potentially look at is cutting the Brandon runs to terminate at Durham and then have alternative service cover the Durham-Brandon section which would save 7 miles of battery milage, iirc from the current scheduling they do 3 Newcastle - Brandon returns per day which would save 21 miles per bus used which in turn would see the efficiency percentage increase as the Buses would have more battery to enable them to stay in service longer per day.

Warming up the weather might help, too.

The as a GNE 25 plate bus broke down at eldon square yesterday about 4 ish. assumed it was an electric one but it was in corporate colours

(02 Feb 2026, 4:10 pm)Rob44 wrote [ -> ]The as a GNE 25 plate bus broke down at eldon square yesterday about 4 ish. assumed it was an electric one but it was in corporate colours

The New Electric are 75 plate.....

(02 Feb 2026, 12:00 am)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Must be an Efficiency issue there then as that figure is lower than what Wrightbus stating there data often shows a figure of around 30% at the point of returning to the depot on 2nd Gen Models which built from 2025 onwards. 

Sounds to me like the following needs to be done.

A.) Additional Buses are required to cover PVR as there is not enough.
B.) Re-charging points are required across the route to boost battery during the day.
C.) Re-work of "Service Scheduling" i.e. interworking of CLS Shorts/Durham Longs and finding alternative solutions to combat issues being faced currently thus to ensure EV's are out in service for the full day from first service to last service.

Can't foresee the above being an issue with the 58's given the operational milage will be significantly less than the 21's. 

One thing I would potentially look at is cutting the Brandon runs to terminate at Durham and then have alternative service cover the Durham-Brandon section which would save 7 miles of battery milage, iirc from the current scheduling they do 3 Newcastle - Brandon returns per day which would save 21 miles per bus used which in turn would see the efficiency percentage increase as the Buses would have more battery to enable them to stay in service longer per day.

Sadly, and some will disagree, but if they can't do a full days service then the right answer is to move them off the 21.

They're not fit for purpose, pissing around with extra buses, and messing around with scheduling to make it work isn't the answer; it's just messing around forcing it to work. 

Stick them on something which can do the service, and wait a few years until the battery tech is improved for services like the 21 or 63 in Redcar (Arriva realised beforehand though).

(02 Feb 2026, 7:29 am)NL62WVW wrote [ -> ]Coincidentally I've got the bus that does the 0422 out of Durham on my shift later on this afternoon so will be able to see what charge is left in it.

To follow this up,

Took 6812 with 30% charge remaining to Brandon at 1520, arrived back at Gateshead with 11% where it was parked up.

Given 6820 to complete the board back to Chester which doesn't even have 500miles on it and the heating is broken already.

(02 Feb 2026, 8:13 pm)NL62WVW wrote [ -> ]To follow this up,
Took 6812 with 30% charge remaining to Brandon at 1520, arrived back at Gateshead with 11% where it was parked up.
Given 6820 to complete the board back to Chester which doesn't even have 500miles on it and the heating is broken already.

Teething issues are always expected, but it’s clear that the actual route and mileage haven’t been fully considered. If there had been a proper plan in place covering the PVR and the vehicle boards, this should have been addressed before the new buses were introduced.

After half seven tonight, there were no electric deckers in service on the 21, with a mix of older buses instead—either transferred from other routes or sent straight out from the depot.

At this point, I’d argue it may be worth retaining a small number of StreetDecks in Angel livery as a fallback until the issues are resolved. Otherwise, what we’re likely to see is the Voltra deckers being prioritised onto the 21 as cover, with whatever is available then being pushed onto the 58.

Does anyone know what batteries these are fitted with as if they have the 275 mile battery I'm not totally conviced this is fixable at all.

The example above, is giving a total of around 200 mile a day, in real world terms, which isn't totally unrealistic on cold days (it's generally reported as 30% less on EV Cars) and no-one is getting the top range regardless unless you run it to empty, everyone drives perfectly and are running at city speeds which isn't the 21.

https://bustimes.org/vehicles/gnel-6152?date=2026-02-02 - Picking a board like that, which is one of the shorter ones, you're looking at round 200 miles (using 10 miles for a CLS run, 15 miles for a Durham and 20 miles for Brandon).

Who knows, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone has made a huge cock up here.

---

For a side note the longest 63 board at Redcar is 195 mile roughly, the same 63 which uses single deckers which have a longer range, and Arriva ditched due to range issues...

(02 Feb 2026, 10:39 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Does anyone know what batteries these are fitted with as if they have the 275 mile battery I'm not totally conviced this is fixable at all.

The example above, is giving a total of around 200 mile a day, in real world terms, which isn't totally unrealistic on cold days (it's generally reported as 30% less on EV Cars) and no-one is getting the top range regardless unless you run it to empty, everyone drives perfectly and are running at city speeds which isn't the 21.

https://bustimes.org/vehicles/gnel-6152?date=2026-02-02 - Picking a board like that, which is one of the shorter ones, you're looking at round 200 miles (using 10 miles for a CLS run, 15 miles for a Durham and 20 miles for Brandon).

Who knows, but I wouldn't be surprised if someone has made a huge cock up here.

---

For a side note the longest 63 board at Redcar is 195 mile roughly, the same 63 which uses single deckers which have a longer range, and Arriva ditched due to range issues...

Agreed. I'd find it more concerning that this is how they are performing straight out of the gate, with zero degradation. 

Have any of them actually completed a full duty yet on anything beyond a late runout? 

Are the Arriva 43/44/45 boards more realistic? From what I've heard the BYD has been getting some decent numbers when on driver training.

(02 Feb 2026, 10:55 pm)PH - BQA wrote [ -> ]Agreed. I'd find it more concerning that this is how they are performing straight out of the gate, with zero degradation. 

Have any of them actually completed a full duty yet on anything beyond a late runout? 

Are the Arriva 43/44/45 boards more realistic? From what I've heard the BYD has been getting some decent numbers when on driver training.

Yeah my thoughts aswell;

Btw on the Arriva was having a look at the 43/44/45 and the top boards seem to be around 170-180 mile mark but the BYD's also have a bigger battery aswell I believe extra 10% or so, so seems doable. 

Had a little look at what was happening on vehicles which are in service aswell, as I was curious, and the Sunderland and Stockton Yutongs, plus the ADL E400 at Blyth seem to be getting around 170 - 180 miles on average aswell so on par with the Streetdeck example above. The E1/E2/E6 is noticeable Diesel recently in the evening and Stockton are swapping things around, ie doing 36/37/38 during the day and then one doing the 59 during the day is being pulled onto it to complete the run. Obviously not an option GNE have there though.

I don't believe there's any interurban route which have the same electric bus from morning to night, excluding the 36 which has top up charging in Harrogate? Happy to be corrected though.