(11 hours ago)ne14ne1 wrote We’ve always had hand me downs now and then.
Didn’t Stagecoach Newcastle just get a handful of nearly new 400MMCs from elsewhere?
And GNE/ANE/SNE are due to get 84 brand new electrics shortly through Zebra.

I’m not sure what you’re expecting. 
It’s a commercial operation at the moment.

It was made clear that franchising cannot just happen over night.
The Franchise Scheme Assessment (FSA) will take 2.5 yrs (unless Gov speed things up), and then about the same period again before the first franchises are operating. 

https://www.northeast-ca.gov.uk/news/tra...-the-buses

Lots of excuses for GNE here mind. Stagecoach is totally irrelevant and the poster you quoted is from Sunderland who aren't getting anything at all. In fact they've had 0 buses in their area since 2016 now with GoNorthEast.

84 buses is no-where near the level of investment which is needed in the North East either.

What we do need is Kim holding GoNorthEast accountable, in particular, for the absolute shambles they're providing until the franchising is in place, otherwise they might aswell not bother as they won't be any passengers left.

She's quick enough to blast Northumberland County Council though over the delays of a major project. Glass falling off roofs at Whitley Bay, Metro trains delayed for nigh on 2 year, the pedestrian tunnel, the funding fiasco with North Shields ferry, bus companies taking the piss and she's straight into the cupboard. Wonder which party Northumberland Council are...? strange co-incidence...