North East Buses

I know I have asked a similar question before, but following the entry of service of 22510 is there any sight in the engineers fixing 22511 for service?

(01 Sep 2017, 8:38 am)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]I know I have asked a similar question before, but following the entry of service of 22510 is there any sight in the engineers fixing 22511 for service?

I doubt 22510 will last much longer given the plumes of black smoke following it around yesterday - can't be roadworthy.  22511 was still dumped against the back fence with a few front end panels missing.  Would have thought 22574 would be further up the queue for repair (again) than 22511.  Both batches of 225xx have to be the worst cast-offs Busways have ever suffered!

Latest News for September 2017

(01 Sep 2017, 11:37 am)stagecoachbusdepot wrote [ -> ]I doubt 22510 will last much longer given the plumes of black smoke following it around yesterday - can't be roadworthy.  22511 was still dumped against the back fence with a few front end panels missing.  Would have thought 22574 would be further up the queue for repair (again) than 22511.  Both batches of 225xx have to be the worst cast-offs Busways have ever suffered!

Slatyford managed to keep them on the road most of the time, rarely had long periods VOR, even with the 100 drivers lead foot. Only had one really bad one,  27507. 10s are a piss easy route too compared to the 100... don't understand how they can't keep them on the road.

(01 Sep 2017, 2:42 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Slatyford managed to keep them on the road most of the time, rarely had long periods VOR, even with the 100 drivers lead foot. Only had one really bad one,  27507. 10s are a piss easy route too compared to the 100... don't understand how they can't keep them on the road.

I meant the Kinetics and the E300s from Scotland - both batches seem awful.  Agree the 27500s seemed fine at Slatyford (apart from 27507 which was struggling toward the end) - no idea why Stockton seem to struggle to keep buses on the road, when they operated fine at Busways.

(01 Sep 2017, 8:19 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote [ -> ]I meant the Kinetics and the E300s from Scotland - both batches seem awful.  Agree the 27500s seemed fine at Slatyford (apart from 27507 which was struggling toward the end) - no idea why Stockton seem to struggle to keep buses on the road, when they operated fine at Busways.

Ah yes! Numbers and brain thinking differently..... yes horrific. The rest of the batch of Kinetics in Scotland are almost complete as training buses.... says something that!

(31 Aug 2017, 6:13 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Stagecoach still have the pages about:


1. Introducing New Express Service X24 to Newcastle from Monday 30 January 2017

2. Changes to Services E1, E2, E6 from Sunday 4 June 2017

3. Minor changes to Service 20 from Monday 19 June 2017


Should be been removed by now....

Still relevant? Unlike the Arriva poster for the S2 in M'bro bus station.

Does anyone know when 80036 is due to leave Sunderland?

(03 Sep 2017, 4:24 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Does anyone know when 80036 is due to leave Sunderland?

Goes back this week at somepoint.

Notice to admin too, August thread needs closed.

(31 Aug 2017, 11:52 am)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]I find all of this batch ugly,especially the back end,it looks like and old style bus and its only a 56 plate,i personally prefer the MANS buses,shame they are nearing the end

Yes, true. Looks very old style, even more so in my opinion than older buses.

I also hate the sound of the stop bell on I think 22515 or something like that. Horrible.

What buses have Stagecoach withdrawn? Which buses will be next to go? Definitely fewer older buses around now, mostly 09 and the new electric buses I think. Some 54/56 plate MANS. I think all the shorter single deck are gone from Newcastle?

(06 Sep 2017, 8:32 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Yes, true. Looks very old style, even more so in my opinion than older buses.

I also hate the sound of the stop bell on I think 22515 or something like that. Horrible.

What buses have Stagecoach withdrawn? Which buses will be next to go? Definitely fewer older buses around now, mostly 09 and the new electric buses I think. Some 54/56 plate MANS. I think all the shorter single deck are gone from Newcastle?

Post moved from August.... 

Any 03/53 plate MAN ALX300 saloons in service are reserve, but yes 54/55/06/56/09 reg saloons still in use. Still the short MAN E200s you mention booked to be in use on the 6/7/8/32/32A/72.

(07 Sep 2017, 7:45 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Post moved from August.... 

Any 03/53 plate MAN ALX300 saloons in service are reserve, but yes 54/55/06/56/09 reg saloons still in use. Still the short MAN E200s you mention booked to be in use on the 6/7/8/32/32A/72.

Thank you.

I didn't know 03/53 MAN ALX300 saloons were reserve. MAN E200s are indeed used on 6/7/8/32/32A/72. They are 09 reg buses, I think. The short body Dart Pointer is what I was thinking of, formerly used on 32/32A, which I believe are not in service any more having been replaced by the short bodied MAN E200s.

(07 Sep 2017, 9:32 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Thank you.

I didn't know 03/53 MAN ALX300 saloons were reserve. MAN E200s are indeed used on 6/7/8/32/32A/72. They are 09 reg buses, I think. The short body Dart Pointer is what I was thinking of, formerly used on 32/32A, which I believe are not in service any more having been replaced by the short bodied MAN E200s.

Still some 03s in service at Stockton.

(07 Sep 2017, 10:27 am)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]Still some 03s in service at Stockton.

Indeedy, just had a gander at the fleetcard and two officially 'on fleet' - 22018/19, with 22016 reserve. Assumed all elderly ones were reserve now.

(07 Sep 2017, 10:43 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Indeedy, just had a gander at the fleetcard and two officially 'on fleet' - 22018/19, with 22016 reserve. Assumed all elderly ones were reserve now.

22026 as well as 22016 still in service. I think 22020 has just come off. Still had disk in window last Friday.

(07 Sep 2017, 9:32 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Thank you.

I didn't know 03/53 MAN ALX300 saloons were reserve. MAN E200s are indeed used on 6/7/8/32/32A/72. They are 09 reg buses, I think. The short body Dart Pointer is what I was thinking of, formerly used on 32/32A, which I believe are not in service any more having been replaced by the short bodied MAN E200s.

34194 is still kicking around in Newcastle too, although it is on disposals now. Cumbria have taken on a few of the NK04 and NK56 batches.

(07 Sep 2017, 7:27 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]34194 is still kicking around in Newcastle too, although it is on disposals now. Cumbria have taken on a few of the NK04 and NK56 batches.

Thanks for the info. What service is that usually on? When is that going to be disposed of? Stagecoach Newcastle will all be 2006 and newer, unlike GNE who have old examples in active service for arguably too long, without features and quite unreliable at times (any bus is better than nothing, but still cascading old vehicles would be good). Stagecoach has newer buses, just disappointing they don't have any exciting features.

(07 Sep 2017, 8:43 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Thanks for the info. What service is that usually on? When is that going to be disposed of? Stagecoach Newcastle will all be 2006 and newer, unlike GNE who have old examples in active service for arguably too long, without features and quite unreliable at times (any bus is better than nothing, but still cascading old vehicles would be good). Stagecoach has newer buses, just disappointing they don't have any exciting features.

No problem. If 34194 is still in use it's normally found on the 32 cycles, can be found anywhere else really as Slatyford's route are all Dart-friendly, it was on the X88 on Wednesday. There's still a handful of Darts still in a reserve role, but once they move to regional disposal they are then up for grabs for other regions to take a punt at. It is listed as a disposal vehicle now, so could go anytime really if any Stagecoach division wants it. This has been the case for the likes of 34562/65/67/79 and 35157/58/90/91/92/93 which are now part of the Cumbria & North Lancashire fleet, having moved there over the past three months or so. 35193 landed at Kendal yesterday, having been repainted into Lakes green livery: see here

It's all about fleet statistics these days, so cutting the elderly vehicles cuts depot costs i.e. fuel and general upkeep, plus makes the fleet age look good on paper! Go North East (and Arriva too) have had a history of generally refurbishing vehicles to keep them ticking over, unlike Stagecoach who like to shift vehicles around the group. Sadly Stagecoach has taken a while to get on the technology band-wagon, but we're now seeing Wi-Fi and USB power plugs fitted as standard to all new Stagecoach vehicles which is a good thing!

(08 Sep 2017, 7:51 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]No problem. If 34194 is still in use it's normally found on the 32 cycles, can be found anywhere else really as Slatyford's route are all Dart-friendly, it was on the X88 on Wednesday. There's still a handful of Darts still in a reserve role, but once they move to regional disposal they are then up for grabs for other regions to take a punt at. It is listed as a disposal vehicle now, so could go anytime really if any Stagecoach division wants it. This has been the case for the likes of 34562/65/67/79 and 35157/58/90/91/92/93 which are now part of the Cumbria & North Lancashire fleet, having moved there over the past three months or so. 35193 landed at Kendal yesterday, having been repainted into Lakes green livery: see here

It's all about fleet statistics these days, so cutting the elderly vehicles cuts depot costs i.e. fuel and general upkeep, plus makes the fleet age look good on paper! Go North East (and Arriva too) have had a history of generally refurbishing vehicles to keep them ticking over, unlike Stagecoach who like to shift vehicles around the group. Sadly Stagecoach has taken a while to get on the technology band-wagon, but we're now seeing Wi-Fi and USB power plugs fitted as standard to all new Stagecoach vehicles which is a good thing!

Thought it would be 32/32A for a Dart. I thought the 32/32A would be operated by Walkergate though, because it runs to Walker and terminates at Byker, I think.  I have never seen a Dart on the X88 before. Usually the Newcastle express services use everything else: Kinetics, MANs, E200s, E300s, and new electric on Sundays, single and double. I thought all the Darts would be scrapped actually, rather then disposed of to another region. 

Makes sense what you say about fleet statistics  cutting the elderly vehicles cuts depot costs and makes the fleet age look good on paper. 

Arriva and GNE have very old vehicles. Stagecoach has a newer fleet by far in many places. Why did Stagecoach take so long to introduce features like Wi-Fi and USB? 

I seriously thought Wi-Fi was onboard one or two Stagecoach buses and they had no interest in upgrading their buses.  Certainly a good thing new Stagecoach vehicles have Wi-Fi and USB as standard, I agree. Disappointing they are not interested in Next stop announcements.

(08 Sep 2017, 5:57 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Thought it would be 32/32A for a Dart. I thought the 32/32A would be operated by Walkergate though, because it runs to Walker and terminates at Byker, I think.  I have never seen a Dart on the X88 before. Usually the Newcastle express services use everything else: Kinetics, MANs, E200s, E300s, and new electric on Sundays, single and double. I thought all the Darts would be scrapped actually, rather then disposed of to another region. 

Makes sense what you say about fleet statistics  cutting the elderly vehicles cuts depot costs and makes the fleet age look good on paper. 

Arriva and GNE have very old vehicles. Stagecoach has a newer fleet by far in many places. Why did Stagecoach take so long to introduce features like Wi-Fi and USB? 

I seriously thought Wi-Fi was onboard one or two Stagecoach buses and they had no interest in upgrading their buses.  Certainly a good thing new Stagecoach vehicles have Wi-Fi and USB as standard, I agree. Disappointing they are not interested in Next stop announcements.

Think Stagecoach were keen on pushing their more luxurious Gold brand with novelties such as Wi-Fi and Plug Sockets etc, keeping their normal spec the same. The gap between standard and more luxurious passenger spec has been narrowing, meaning that passengers expect such additions as standard. Stagecoach just took a while to build on their standard spec!

(08 Sep 2017, 8:45 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Think Stagecoach were keen on pushing their more luxurious Gold brand with novelties such as Wi-Fi and Plug Sockets etc, keeping their normal spec the same. The gap between standard and more luxurious passenger spec has been narrowing, meaning that passengers expect such additions as standard. Stagecoach just took a while to build on their standard spec!

Makes sense in a way, having luxury and normal and maintaining a significant difference between them. Certainly good the gap is narrowing though. Would be nice to have Stagecoach Gold in Newcastle. Clearly Stagecoach has improved recently. Could Stagecoach Gold be in danger though, if the features become standard on normal Stagecoach bus services?

Stagecoach takes a while to do anything, including turning up sometimes! But in seriousness, they are not bad on the whole and improving.

hi are the buses 27723/4/5 stopping at Stockton or are there on loan

(10 Sep 2017, 7:45 pm)glen1234 wrote [ -> ]hi are the buses 27723/4/5 stopping at Stockton or are there on loan

They were transferred due to PVR reduction, although I can't see it happening it would be nice to see them transfer back to Shields.
Reasons:
Allow service's 30 and X20 to be allocated the E300s.
Spare E300 for Economics.
So, unless Stockton find a way to replace them there stuck there.

(10 Sep 2017, 8:00 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]They were transferred due to PVR reduction, although I can't see it happening it would be nice to see them transfer back to Shields.
Reasons:
Allow service's 30 and X20 to be allocated the E300s.
Spare E300 for Economics.
So, unless Stockton find a way to replace them there stuck there.

They aren't going anywhere from Stockton. Stockton's PVR didn't change with last month's changes - so all vehicles at Stockton are needed.

If anything, the fact there was no change to Stockton's PVR, would hopefully see Stockton's remaining MAN/ALX300s replaced before too long............

Thank for info mates

(10 Sep 2017, 8:23 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]They aren't going anywhere from Stockton. Stockton's PVR didn't change with last month's changes - so all vehicles at Stockton are needed.

If anything, the fact there was no change to Stockton's PVR, would hopefully see Stockton's remaining MAN/ALX300s replaced before too long............

Sorry, I was referring to the PVR reduction at South Shields depot.

(10 Sep 2017, 8:00 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]They were transferred due to PVR reduction, although I can't see it happening it would be nice to see them transfer back to Shields.
Reasons:
Allow service's 30 and X20 to be allocated the E300s.
Spare E300 for Economics.
So, unless Stockton find a way to replace them there stuck there.

The 30 and X20 are allocated E200's, 30 interworking with the 10/11 and using the Integral's ( 364**/37143-44/373** )'s and the X20 using MAN 18.240 chassied E200's ( 397** )

However the MAN's on the X20 were quickly removed and placed on 17 and 18's which I believe was due to most boards having a shorter working day than on 10/11/30/X20's, Aswell as the MAN's being way overpowered for the job which of course makes them drink more fuel, Aswell as them having smaller Fuel Tank's than the Integral's.

E300's these days tend to stick to only the E1/2/6, With one of the MAN E200's thrown in on a shorter board, Aswell as the Summer extra board which utilises whichever E400 is not on X34's.

Integral E200's are now allocated to all boards of the 10/11 and 30 aswell as the X20.

(10 Sep 2017, 8:37 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]Sorry, I was referring to the PVR reduction at South Shields depot.

The transfer of 22723-25 to Stockton was nothing to do with PVR changes. 

27723-25 moved to Stockton as part of the bizarre three-way exchange which saw 24113-15 move to Slatyford and 39702-04 to South Shields, which took place shortly before the service cuts in Shields.  The South Shields PVR changes released 36461-67 to Hartlepool.

35194 is now at hartlepool depot

(17 Sep 2017, 7:16 am)Citaro5326 wrote [ -> ]35194 is now at hartlepool depot

On the road?