Branching this out of the Stockton Depot thread where the orders are being discussed, but just a few comments on the vehicle allocations in Northumbria which are increasingly inappropriate. 

I was walking towards Barras Bridge tonight for my bus home and saw a few Arriva services leaving Haymarket. 

The 1610 308 was operated by 1495, and to be honest I don't think I've ever seen as many people standing on a Pulsar. The 15:45 and 16:00 308/306 also ran, so it isn't as though this was taking multiple loads. People were stood up to the seating right at the back, with a huge clump crowding the tip down seats up to the cab. 

The 1615 X22 was ran by 7563 and had pretty much a full load, with a couple standing downstairs, from what I could see. Looked to be a few seats free, but the loading it had would have been too much for a Pulsar I'd think. Again, the 16:00 X21 and 15:45 X22 ran. This run is booked for a Pulsar, and majority of times I have seen it operated by one has had a standing load. 

The Coast Road services at this time seem particularly susceptible to leaving Newcastle with full and standing Pulsars, yet nothing is being done about this. Similarly the main Ashington (X21/22) and Blyth (X10/11) express services are always standing loads if allocated a saloon. The Morpeth express services are always decker operated bar the X16 when I see them, and the X7/8/9 are always fully seated if a Pulsar but not standing. The X30 leaving town around this time, however, seems to always be a decker yet realistically a Solo could probably lift the amount of people using it. 

There have also been a few times recently where I've been waiting at Regent Centre at similar times and have been unable to board 43/44/45s due to them being Pulsar operated and bus full already. Even when they've dropped off there, the driver has evidently decided it's been unwise to take any more on. 

As much as I am sure lots of these services mentioned can cope with saloons during the day, they quite clearly cannot cope with them in the peaks. I do get that operating double deckers during the day on services with 20-30 people on is a bit of a waste, but then surely annoying your regular commuters by cramming them onto a Pulsar every night cannot help business long term?

Stagecoach plans to upgrade old Stockton bus depot - BBC News https://share.google/XjJft2kTyNXGTmcba

Hi everyone,

I’ve recently moved to Newcastle from the North West, and I’ve been quite surprised by how public transport information is presented and communicated here.

Back in Greater Manchester, even before the Bee Network launched, Transport for Greater Manchester ensured that every bus stop had clear, high-quality timetables. You could (and still) pick up printed timetable leaflets for every route from local travel centres - simple, accessible, and very user-friendly.

Neighbouring authorities like Lancashire County Council and Blackburn & Darwen Borough Council follow a similar approach, and it certainly helps that they allow operators like Transdev to produce their own high quality publicity and materials.

So I’m wondering: why isn’t this the case in the North East?

From what I understand, Nexus is meant to promote and coordinate public transport in Tyne and Wear, but they don’t seem to be doing that effectively. If a small borough council like Blackburn can maintain good-quality passenger information, why can’t a large body like Nexus?

At the roadside, information seems minimal and often poorly formatted, with no real effort made to present data clearly or consistently. Printed materials are almost non-existent, even though I realise this is technically up to the operators. Still, the absence of even a basic network map not even a PDF version online is quite disappointing.

It makes me wonder how new or occasional users are supposed to get to grips with the local transport network at all - as its actually decent if you know what you are looking for. 

Frankly, apart from Strathclyde Partnership for Transport, Nexus seem among the weakest in the UK when it comes to publicity and passenger information.

Appreciate there is bus reform on the horizon, but that is years off

1500 has now returned to Blyth following repaint, looking much smarter.
I understand 1501 has now gone in its place so will be next to be done.

The Northern Group Enthusiast Club are running an outing for their 60th anniversary - Saturday 8th November

"To celebrate the 60th Anniversary, we’ve teamed up with our friends at Northstar for a 60th Anniversary route recreation day!

Details are below! PREBOOKING MANDATORY

Members, your form will be through via email. If you have not provided one or know those who struggle with the page, ask them to contact the Chairman from details on his previous letter. Non Members welcome, please contact the page, details below!"

You can contact them through their page at: https://www.facebook.com/share/1BCAfdz2Nk/

36972 is at sheilds exchange for 10631

1500 has gone for repaint, it was last seen at Blackburn Bus & Coach 

https://flic.kr/p/2rxsa7S

https://www.facebook.com/share/p/1664vRctUa/

They're needing a new home.

I'm not sure many of you on here got the chance to attend this event as part of celebrating Heaton Train Care Depot 150th Anniversary coinciding on the eve the 200th Anniversary of the Railway this upcoming Thursday 25th September.

It was nice morning yesterday having a look around and a better day weather wise also, hopefully some more events can be arranged in the future as it seemed to be very well received by all those who attended and it for a good cause also.

Here are some of my photos from the event: https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...0329164420
https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...0329164420

GNE currently asking for thoughts about potential service changes within Newcastle/Gateshead, Sunderland and County Durham which are expected to be implemented on October 26th 2025:  Link to changes

Drop in events for these changes are at:

Thursday 28 August - 3pm-6pm - Sunderland Park Lane Interchange.
Friday 29 August - 9am-12pm - Durham Bus Station.
Monday 1 September - 9am-12pm - Sunderland Park Lane Interchange.
Tuesday 2 September - 3pm-6pm - Durham Bus Station.
Thursday 4 September - 9.30am-1pm - Houghton Library