Just thought about this......but why did Arriva specify the Dennis Trident instead of the DAF DB250 for regional ALX400 orders in 2000 including 7340-35 for the 602 out of Hexham?

I know Northumbria trialed the DAF DB250 Optare Spectra (as they already had Deltas) before choosing the Cummins engined Volvo Olympian Palatine II's.

Surely the DAF DB250 chassis for regionals would've been better than the Dennis Trident chassis given that Hexham's batch needed to be replaced by B10BLE's.

Ironically a year later despite the Lowlander bodywork, Arriva did switch to the DAF DB250 chassis for regional orders which included the Darlington batch for the 723.

NEMSA Cabinet released the long-awaited North East Rail Vision at Tuesday's cabinet meeting, which is a high-level visionary document which sets out the Mayor’s priorities
for rail in the region up to 2040.

The vision is supposed to set out the practical steps needed to deliver change, which NEMSA include:

• Stronger partnerships with GBR, wider rail industry partners, Local Authorities and other stakeholders to ensure priorities are clear and plans are aligned.
  
• Joined-up planning to ensure rail investment aligns with wider regional goals.1
  
• Reliable funding, both multi-year devolved financial settlements and long-term infrastructure funding commitments from Department for Transport and GBR.
  
• A clear phased roadmap of improvements to 2040, to ensure funding can be used in a timely and targeted way.
  

I've added links to some of the key documents below:
North East Rail Vision Report to Cabinet
Appendix A - North East Rail Vision, summary document
Appendix B - North East Rail Vision
Appendix C - Washington Metro and Leamside South

The key things that I've noted are that there's an immediate desire to bring in local rail part of the 'Angel Network', integrated buses, Metro and other modes. Long term ambitions are the Leamside in full (which we knew about), and extending other lines to either increase capacity or link other places. Northumberland Line being one, with the plan to open up to Newbiggin-by-the-Sea. There's references to building up a project pipeline, which returns again to reopening passenger services on the Stillington Branch and Ferryhill station, but also the Bensham Curve.

I made this so everyone can have fun on the website

Everyday a bus will be eliminated

Try pick a niche once because the easy ones will be out first

Wear Bus Preservation Group have this evening announced yet another Ex Go North East into Preservation in Optare V1110 Optare Versa 8307 (NK09 FVG) which has came back to the North East following the collapse of independent operator C4TN. 

8307 joins other group current fleet members:
- First York 11113 / BG58 OMJ
- Go North East 5264 / NK56 KJZ
- Go North East 4950 / NK51 OLR
- Go North East 3942 / NK05 GZP (part owned)
- Arriva North East 4718 / YJ10 DFU
- Go North East 3895 / NK51 UCY

Does anyone know what's going on with Ashington tonight, there's some nasty gaps floating around especially the 2.5 hour gap on the X21 leaving Newcastle and the 35 is every 2 hours, as of writing?

Assume it's not fleet related at this time of night. I know there was talk of other depots bailing out the Stockton mess but they can't be stupid enough to cause massive issues elsewhere to bail out another depot?

25 Oct 2026:

PB0003954/823
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X10 Newcastle Peterlee

PB0003954/824
Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X10 Peterlee Middlesbrough

Does anyone know or realise that at Villette Road / Ryhope Road junction, (in Sunderland) it still has the original bus shelter concrete cannopy where Sunderland Corporation used to terminate (Villette Road Terminus) , Pre 1970s

Looks like Arriva are going to be conducting a UK wide survey regarding there services within there operational areas over the coming months.

Arriva Buses Wales new Wright Streetdeck Ultroliners (BN76 CPU) has received vinyl's for the campaign.

https://flickr.com/photos/cymrucoastline...1819684594

Wear Bus Preservation Group has confirmed it has planning a running day in Chester-Le-Street on 18th October 2026 between 10am-4pm.

Since it has been 5 years since the year Go North East decided to a rebrand/New Look of most of their brands, I thought i'd post most changes that occured during this intresting period. Also a lot of re-allocations alongside it.

Would love to know what people thought of this time, what their favourite rebrand was, what their new brand was their favourite and more.