The March 2026 contracts have been awarded in the majority of cases work is retained by the current operators. 
With the following changes:

18 from Stagecoach (Newcastle) to Northstar. 
32/32A from Stagecoach to GCT.
333 new service to GNE.
599 Northstar to GCT.
787 Stagecoach to GNE (route extended to Byker).
X46 GCT to Stanley Travel.

Having seen the internal communications on this, I thought it was useful to confirm the full 2026 order for ANE.

19 x E400 MMC DD (Ashington)
6 x E400 MMC DD (Blyth)
14 x BYD EV DD (Blyth)
14 x BYD EV DD (Durham) 
14 x Wrightbus Kite EV Midi (Darlington)
7 x Wrightbus Kite EV SD (Darlington)
6 x E400 MMC DD (Redcar)

28 x ADL E200 MMC 6.7 litre (TBC)
- Stockton have apparently been told they are getting 18 of these, but I understand that might have changed.
10 x Volvo Evora SD (TBC)

Total - 118. One third of the fleet.

(Edited to add missing 1).

It's always something that's had me thinking but is there any reason that we're consisting with these in 2026, when the vast majority of people just use an app or what not to find when the bus is due anyway?

imo there's loads of services around which aren't busy enough for a bus every 30 minutes; but could easily be busy enough for one for every 40 or 45 minutes or there's routes which are currently running around with 20/40 timetables which are just useless for anyone.

Some examples of these is the likes of the X45 and was X46 to Consett, could these not be both every 40 minutes which would combine to be every 20 minutes. Similar with the X30/X31 to Stanley.

For hourly routes, stuff like the Arriva 56 in Durham which would probably be ideal at every 45 minutes or even the X14/X15/X16/X18/X20 all being all every 40 minutes; continuing with the current every 2 hours to Berwick (every third bus instead of 2) combining to every 20 minutes along the Coast to Newcastle and every 10 minutes from Morpeth to Newcastle.

Surely for a punter a more frequent services is more important, than it being every 07 Past or whatever but for whatever reason they're just being not done?

6365 has moved over to Sunderland Depot and joined 6370 as part of the cascade of vehicles ( 6974 on loan)

Hearing that Nigel Featham and Ben Maxfield are gone from GNE at the end of this month. Nigel to focus on Go North West, now that includes Liverpool, with his side kick to also take on a new role there.

GNE to be led by Ben Gilligan from EY.

The New Arrival Takes Off


In December, Newcastle International Airport scrapped its free drop‑off and pick‑up parking outside the terminal. At the same time, it introduced a new Waiting Zone at Callerton Parkway, just over a mile from the terminal building. The Waiting Zone offers 90 minutes of free parking and features a new 12‑bay ultra‑rapid EV charging station, with planning permission already in place for a drive‑thru coffee shop to be added later in the year.


From the 6 January, the airport launched a 30‑minute shuttle service linking the Waiting Zone with the terminal, operated by Park & Fly. To run the new service, a new arrival has joined the fleet. YY75 DXC which is an Alexander Dennis E10V/Alexander Dennis E100EV, notably the first example of its type in the North East. She is seen resting in the long‑term parking area on the morning of 10/01/26.

 

https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpbsp/55034252579/

Can't remember if there was an area for this. But the gne website updated this morning with diversion over night for the Flyover work im guessing. Looks like work/demolition is to start on the 12th January 

Buses will be diverted from 22:00 until 06:00 the following morning, from the evening of Monday 12th January until the morning of Saturday 17th January while Gateshead Council carry out bridge works.

The bus stops between Split Crow Road and Five Bridges roundabout will not be serves, please catch your bus from Split Crow Road (51/52/58) or Old Durham Road (south of split Crow Road) (28/56/57).

The bus stops at Sherwood car dealer will not be served on journeys from Gateshead by services 21, 28B & 81. Please catch your bus from Durham Road near Shipcote Cenotaph.

So SNE and ANE have posted updates about issues they've encountered. 

How lucky for GNE they have encountered no delays, road closures etc! 

Lack of updates on socials and websites from the big 3 is awful though.

Northstar have done a good job though! Well done!

Anyone heard of any rumours regarding new vehicles this year?

Im hoping that the 62/63 services get some new vehicles this year, the last time they got new vehicles was 2016, and half of them ended up allocated elsewhere, tend to get atleast 5 or 6 singles allocated daily on them

 so I think a good 15 new vehicles to slatyford to allow the practice of singles that get allocated to cease,  maybe moving ten singles out as spares for electric fleets as the cold temperatures are already affecting the batteries and keeping 5 as spares.

Walkergate maybe receiving ten. Perhaps pushing 6 of the oldest doubles out and upgrading 4 singles which seem to end up on the 22 a fair bit

Consultation now available to read and view. Nothing major to see but the odd one is the 356 will follow every other bus into Whitley Bay 

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/share-your...h-tyneside