I was speaking to another Stagecoach in Sunderland bus driver this morning as she was driving me to and from school (on different bus services too, so it was quite a pleasure) and despite being late, she was still happy to talk to me while I stood at the front...

I asked her about the number of vehicles Sunderland are to inherit, and she said that it was 25 to her knowledge too! Kuyoyo, do you mind if I ask you where you've retrieved your information regarding these vehicles? I mean, I know these drivers aren't enthusiasts and probably do the job to get money to put food on their table back at home, but surely they'd have some knowledge on the vehicles entering the fleet - given that they drive for that division of the Stagecoach North East subsidiary?

Regarding the Alexander Dennis Enviro 300GS bodied Scania KUB270s - do we know a number before May when the Green Bus Funding is announced or not?
Impressive contraptions nevertheless:
http://www.buszone.co.uk/E300GS_081112_21.jpg
http://www.buszone.co.uk/E300GS_081112_14.jpg
http://www.buszone.co.uk/E300GS_081112_3.jpg

(13 Feb 2013, 8:51 pm)Daniel wrote I was speaking to another Stagecoach in Sunderland bus driver this morning as she was driving me to and from school (on different bus services too, so it was quite a pleasure) and despite being late, she was still happy to talk to me while I stood at the front...

I asked her about the number of vehicles Sunderland are to inherit, and she said that it was 25 to her knowledge too! Kuyoyo, do you mind if I ask you where you've retrieved your information regarding these vehicles? I mean, I know these drivers aren't enthusiasts and probably do the job to get money to put food on their table back at home, but surely they'd have some knowledge on the vehicles entering the fleet - given that they drive for that division of the Stagecoach North East subsidiary?

I have been passed the information by a contact who works for Stagecoach who actually recieves the order list from head office. Therefore, if there's 21 buses officially on order and a further 17 awaiting funding on the order sheet, then that is what is coming.

Rule one of being an enthusiast - don't believe what drivers (who aren't enthusiasts) tell you. Some enjoy winding people up with rumours. It maybe that the staff were originally told 25 and the number has since been reduced but it's definately 21 Enviro200s due in the autumn.

(13 Feb 2013, 10:10 pm)Kuyoyo wrote

(13 Feb 2013, 8:51 pm)Daniel wrote I was speaking to another Stagecoach in Sunderland bus driver this morning as she was driving me to and from school (on different bus services too, so it was quite a pleasure) and despite being late, she was still happy to talk to me while I stood at the front...

I asked her about the number of vehicles Sunderland are to inherit, and she said that it was 25 to her knowledge too! Kuyoyo, do you mind if I ask you where you've retrieved your information regarding these vehicles? I mean, I know these drivers aren't enthusiasts and probably do the job to get money to put food on their table back at home, but surely they'd have some knowledge on the vehicles entering the fleet - given that they drive for that division of the Stagecoach North East subsidiary?

I have been passed the information by a contact who works for Stagecoach who actually recieves the order list from head office. Therefore, if there's 21 buses officially on order and a further 17 awaiting funding on the order sheet, then that is what is coming.

Rule one of being an enthusiast - don't believe what drivers (who aren't enthusiasts) tell you. Some enjoy winding people up with rumours. It maybe that the staff were originally told 25 and the number has since been reduced but it's definately 21 Enviro200s due in the autumn.

Thanks for that. I can't agree that they would have been winding me up - it just wouldn't be in their nature to do so... I said the same in post 23 in reply to Michael when I first brought the topic of the new (what was) 25 new vehicles coming to the Stagecoach in Sunderland fleet. Therefore, I think that your second theory of staff originally being told 25 and the number has since gone down without staff being notified is a tad more feasible.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/

Optare Solo SR Paperbus in its new specification.

Lots of Sunderland services on diversion today...

24th February - Routes in Sunderland City Centre
Borough Road, Sunderland, will be closed between John St and Fawcett St from 8am to 4pm on Sunday, 24 February for road improvements. Routes 3, 4, 5A, 10, 11, 13, 16 and 23 running south/west will miss all stops between John Street or Borough Road to Holmeside.

Source: www.nexus.org.uk


Or, if you'd prefer to believe Stagecoach over Nexus (they always have conflicting views on these diversions)...

This temporary closure is scheduled to be in place during Sunday 24 February 2013, between approximately 0800 and 1600.
During the closure period, all southbound/ westbound trips on Services 3, 4, 5A, 10, 11, 13, 16 and 23 will have to be diverted away from the affected area.
After observing their normal bus stops on John Street, Services 3, 4, 13, 16 and 23 will divert non-stop via Athenaeum Street, Frederick Street, Toward Road, Park Road, Druro Terrace, Stockton Road, Park Road (west side) and Burdon Road, resuming normal route at Holmeside.
Services 5A, 10 and 11 will operate non-stop from Borough Road (east side) via Toward Road, Park Road, Druro Terrace, Stockton Road, Park Road (west side) and Burdon Road, resuming normal route at Holmeside.

Source: www.stagecoachbus.com

During Sunday 24 February 2013, Sunderland City Council had to temporally close the southern end of John Street and the west end of Borough Road. This temporary closure was to facilitate essential roadworks associated with the Borough Road highways improvements scheme. Because of this, all southbound/westbound trips on services 3, 4, 5A, 10, 11, 13, 16 and 23 had to be diverted away from the affected area.

Examples of services on diversion can be seen on the photos below:

- 34609 on service 10 (danielgrahamm)

- 35157 on service 11 (danielgrahamm)

- 35189 on service 16 (danielgrahamm)

- 36085 on service 4 (danielgrahamm)

- 36087 on service 3 (danielgrahamm)

- 39731 on service 13 (danielgrahamm)

Stockton depot provided Volvo Olympian 16840 to cover a Cwmbran Astromega in the early hours of Friday 22nd February.

16840 Worked the 1515 M35 Cardiff - Newcastle service between Norton and Newcastle and the 0530 M35 Newcastle - Cardiff service back to Middlesbrough where the Astromega was returned to the service.

Sorry for the Picture quality, taken by camera phone.

16840 0300hrs 22/02/2013 Walkergate Depot

(24 Feb 2013, 11:41 pm)ADLEnviro wrote Stockton depot provided Volvo Olympian 16840 to cover a Cwmbran Astromega in the early hours of Friday 22nd February.

16840 Worked the 1515 M35 Cardiff - Newcastle service between Norton and Newcastle and the 0530 M35 Newcastle - Cardiff service back to Middlesbrough where the Astromega was returned to the service.

Sorry for the Picture quality, taken by camera phone.

16840 0300hrs 22/02/2013 Walkergate Depot

Thanks for that! Very interesting to see one of Olympians (which I used to drive!) being used to cover Megabus, I presume that was down to passenger loadings.

22411 X47 Branded ALX300 was on the 100 today got a photo at the Metrocentre, will be uploaded at a later date due to the batteries in my camera dying

Changes to Stagecoach routes in Newcastle from 24th March to

15, 15A, 18, 32, 32A, 33, 35, 62, 63 AND X63

Nothing major aside timing changes apart from X63 which will now use a new route into the City Centre.

The X63 will now operate a revised route, all buses (including on Saturdays) will run direct via Barras Bridge, Percy Street, Blackett Street and New Bridge Street West and will no longer serve Newgate or Market St

http://www.stagecoachbus.com/serviceupda...px?Id=6841

Stagecoach in Newcastle's Slaytford depot currently has Walkergate's 22341 (NK55 AHZ) on loan. 22341 was seen today working Metrocentre shuttles on service 100, as can be seen below:
22341 (S.Blair250)

Changes to South Shields' services 10 and 11 have been announced on Stagecoach's website. Though effective from Sunday 24 March 2013, I don't believe we have made note of this before.

Working in partnership with our colleagues at Nexus and South Tyneside Borough Council, Sunday daytime journeys are retimed to improve reliability for customers.

Last Updated : 25 February 2013 16:40

During Sunday daytimes, buses will operate up to 8 minutes earlier from South Shields Town Centre when heading towards Jarrow.

When returning from Jarrow, these buses will arrive at South Shields Town Centre up to 13 minutes later.

Basic frequencies will continue unchanged, with daytime buses running up to every 30 minutes, and evening buses running hourly.

To view new Service 10 and 11 timetable, please click here.