(21 Apr 2018, 7:39 am)Dan wrote I think the trial of the electric Yutong vehicle suggests the company are definitely interested in investing in this technology - I'd expect a press release early next week when the vehicle is returned - but there's a significantly higher cost for this type of bus than a standard diesel, and I think it's a bit of a risk given that the long-term reliability just cannot be predicted.

I was a huge fan of Stagecoach North East's gas buses when they were first launched, but living in Sunderland, I see/hear/quite regularly ride on them, and a lot of them are much rougher now, than they were when brand new. One wouldn't expect them to stay 'as new' forever, but the sound some of them make isn't the best, so I'm a little skeptical.

I had a ride of the Yutong yesterday and felt, from a passenger's perspective, the interior was dark and dingy, and felt quite clinical. Aside from the lack of legroom and rattly emergency exit door, I have no real problems with the interior of a Streetlite by comparison. They feel quite light and airy - the LED strip in the centre of the ceiling seems to provide more than enough lighting for the saloon.

The Yutong should be heading to Stagecoach North East next week after its trial at Go North East. Believe, after initial murmurs that the bus would be used in Sunderland to compare against the gas buses, it will now be used on the 100?

But that's most buses after a few years.

Didn't know it was planned for it to stay in the NE, hopefully it does come to Sunderland after Newcastle, if that was the plan, wuld of thought it would of been used on a demanding route... the X66 and 100 isn't that demanding.

Would get proper data from the Sunderland routes, as most are between 40-50 minutes long

3 – 44 (to Farringdon), (41 to Gilley law)
4 – 45 minutes
8 – 27 minutes
10 – 40 minutes
11 – 31 minutes
12 – 50 minutes
13 – 49 minutes 
16 – 48 minutes
18 – 61 minutes
20 – 27 minutes
23 – 39 minutes
X24 – 43 minutes