This vehicle has received "Black Cats" branding. "Black Cats" is the new brand identity being introduced to encompass a variety of different frequent services in and around the city of Sunderland, promoting the cheap and competitively priced day and weekly tickets available for travel in the city (£3.65 for a day ticket, and £12.15 for a weekly ticket).
Following the entry into service of Dennis Enviro 300/Alexander Enviro 300 27508 (NK05 JXG) at Stockton Depot, this vehicle has moved from Stockton to Stockton (Reserve).
Though originally expected to form part of the Driver Training fleet at Stagecoach North East; this vehicle will now instead be sold, and is now being decommissioned prior to onward sale to another Stagecoach division.