(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!