To allow double-deck vehicles to be released for the special Sunderland Airshow Park & Ride and shuttle services, this vehicle has transferred from Riverside Depot to Chester-le-Street, on temporary loan.
Due to the re-opening of the Hexham Rail Bridge and the associated PVR reduction at Hexham Depot, this vehicle has been released for cascade. It has transferred from Hexham Depot to Riverside, where it will be allocated to the new 13 service (West Denton - Throckley). The contract for this service commences Sunday 24th July 2016.
Having incurred defects deemed uneconomical to repair, this vehicle has been withdrawn from service at Washington Depot. The vehicle will be used for spare parts and then sold for scrap.
Following the cascade of younger Scania L94UB/Wright Solar vehicles to Chester-le-Street Depot, this vehicle has transferred from Chester-le-Street Depot to Riverside, to allow the withdrawal of older Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renowns from the fleet.
Having been replaced at Stanley by Transbus MPD/Transbus Mini Pointer 553 (NK53 TKN) earlier this year but temporarily retained in the fleet pending the award of new minibus contracts, this vehicle has now been transferred to Riverside Depot, where it will be allocated to the new 33 service (Newcastle - Hollywood Avenue). The contract for this service commences Sunday 24th July 2016.
This vehicle has received "Blue Arrow" branding. There are a number of changes to Go North East's services in the Gateshead and surrounding areas, from 24th July 2016. As part of these changes, services 17 and 96 will be withdrawn and amalgamated into one route (service 11), which will be branded as "Blue Arrow". This new service provides a number of benefits: a faster service to Newcastle from parts of North Tyneside; a new direct service to Newcastle, Gateshead and Metrocentre from areas such as Percy Main, East Howdon and Willington Quay; and a direct bus between Newcastle and Royal Quays.
This vehicle has been withdrawn from service at Chester-le-Street Depot's Coaching Unit, though is subject to be reinstated at Hexham Depot for use on scholars services, replacing the older coaches currently allocated to the depot for this purpose.