To give some news on the Go North East front...

Since January, Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther 7090 (MH54 MBX) has been officially allocated to the Driver Training fleet at Gateshead/Riverside; however, it has also been allocated to National Express work on a number of occasions to cover when necessary. Its appearances on National Express work have been reduced somewhat since September, when changes to National Express contracts saw Go North East's PVR reduce drastically. Go North East currently has three additional spare coaches meaning that 7090 (MH54 MBX) is surplus to requirements in the Coaching fleet, and although it never officially moved out of the Driver Training fleet, it has now returned.

Volvo B10M/Plaxton Premiere 7078 (S978 ABR) was officially withdrawn from the Driver Training fleet last month (rather earlier than planned), with Volvo B12B/Plaxton Panther 7092 (K2 VOY) taking its place in the Driver Training fleet. Given that the vehicle received a white repaint when it was withdrawn from the National Express fleet in September (to increase its book value prior to intended sale), I'm not entirely sure whether it will receive a repaint into Driver Training livery or not... I believe similar 7093 (K3 VOY) remains in reserve capacity as per 7090 (MH54 MBX)'s previous role within the fleet.