I have to say this year's Seaburn Rally was the most disappointing rally I've ever seen.. There seems to be less and less buses every year. It's supposed to be a historic vehicle rally but there were way too many post millennium vehicles - a lot that the non enthusiast would think could still be used in service today as they still look modern.  

There were absolutely no Leyland Nationals, only one Olympian and one Bristol VRT and considerably fewer Atlanteans. There were barely any other older single decks and about one coach and I'm sorry that is very poor. 

The highlight of the day was having a ride on the open top Atlantean which I really enjoyed but apart from that I was massively disappointed to be honest. I understand this could be down to the ridiculous costs of living these days and I understand that vehicles like ex NGT 4710 are undergoing an overhaul etc, so I'm not trying to be unreasonable but I was really disappointed. I

 was hoping to catch a ride on 3501 but once again it was not used on the Heritage Tour and hasn't been for a few years and it seems the same vehicles are used every year. I haven't seen the likes of ex NGT 3406, 3469, 3636 for a few years to name a few. I  also haven't seen the Northumbria livered Delta for a while, and there was the absence of 3656, 3661, 3741 and 4708 and the ex Busways Scania etc. I was also disappointed with the selection of cars on display although there were some new additions that I hadn't seen previously, so it wasn't all bad.

I normally book holidays to attend the rally each year as I used to go with my Dad and have kept going since after he passed away but if it continues to decline I see very little point of going in the future.

Recently noticed that the 74 is no longer split reg at Matfen, bringing the total route length to just over 50Km. Does this mean that they’re using Tachographs on the route now or are they just hoping that it’s slipped through the net to allow U21’s to drive the route without question?

Why are people so fussed about the forthcoming changes? It's very much a case of "what will be will be". Arriva have obviously done their homework - I didn't see the passengers being consulted mind - and have developed a plan going forward. 

It may be good, may be bad. It won't suit everyone but everyone has to remember that Arriva, as a commercial enterprise can only deliver what it can from the revenue it receives. Even now you ride certain services and feel that it's running at a loss and dependant, on the income across the day. I'm no financial wizard but if I were in business and not making money I'd be looking at changes.

Why are some of the VDL Pulsars so poor at climbing and why allocate them such? Came of 1440 which was working an X4 - always being one of the better ones - onto either 1445 or 46 which was working an 81 trip to Guisborough. 

Now seriously Yearby Bank is a long old climb with a particularly nasty, narrow section at its summit - I know as I've ridden it. But here we at the foot of it and this VDL has lost it straight away, are we gonna get to the top; only just and as I remember, when i cycled it, I was faster!

1445/6 aren't on there own. There are plenty similar inevitably deployed on the 5 with all it's hills. Drivers must find them a nightmare.

'My wife wants to sell my collection of 23 buses' - BBC News

Worth 200K!

City Transport have advertised an event they are doing on Monday evening, ahead of their takeover of the Sunderland Connect contract.

I know that GNE use openstreetmap for the routes for the bus trackers. 
Any idea how this works?
I would like to make several custom route maps?

Didn't see this posted but here they are: https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/latest-news/...ear-31-aug

Not sure I agree with the messy changes with the 43/44/45 to force a school bus in with now random gaps in service mind.

Volvo EvoRa 4502 has been showing as VOR since 2nd August on Bus Times. Anyone know why?

Hi everyone,I have just joined your site.i am after any info or photographs about the northern general transport Depot on sherburn terrace in Consett. I spent a few years working at the British steel works in the early sixties and can remember passing it. I don't do Facebook or Twitter so that narrows my options many thanks