(27 Jul 2018, 3:07 pm)Dan wrote Go South Coast MD Andrew Wickham confirmed on Twitter last week that Go North East would be receiving some of their Mercedes Citaros, and did quote their agreed availability as being August, but that they "could let some go before that if needed". Their withdrawal from the Go South Coast fleet coincides with the summer holidays, meaning the Unibus double-decks aren't required.

Sadly nothing too interesting - just more vehicles to assist with the newly-awarded Miscellaneous Works contracts from September. Go North East were awarded a number of single-deck boards and the life-expired Scania L94s which have clung on for a while now really need to be replaced rather than retained to operate these contracts. As such the condition of the Mercs doesn't really matter too much, and chances are they'll be left in Bluestar blue base livery (at least initially). Some have undergone refurbishment fairly recently at Bluestar, so also feature USB sockets. The entire Bluestar fleet is equipped with Wi-Fi (funded with the 'Better bus area' funding back in 2012), but it remains unclear whether this kit will be removed prior to their migration north.

We've had them listed on our fleet list since Andrew confirmed this on Twitter. They're the newer batch of 07-plates (still only Euro 4), rather than the ones which Go South Coast have previously loaned around the Group.