I see on busesnortheast facebook page, there is a picture of one of the new BYD double deckers parked up at Blyth

(24 Nov 2025, 5:38 pm)citaro5284 wrote I see on busesnortheast facebook page, there is a picture of one of the new BYD double deckers parked up at Blyth

How many they getting?

I was thinking the same thing, what routes are they for again, the 43/44/45?

I think its 14 they are getting. Yes for routes 43/44/45, though will be interesting to see if they do anything else as the current interworking patterns involve some journeys going from these routes onto a Blyth route, especially at the start and end of day.

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The front design of these deckers reminds me of the East Lancs Lolyne body, which is abit outdated design wise today, but I am excited anyway for Blyth's first brand new bus since 2013! (The 10 x Volvo B5LH were 13 reg, but they left for Yorkshire in 2018, so the last buses that were ordered new for Blyth which remain here are 1501 - 5 I think, new August 2012. Everything newer has been elsewhere first.)

Think it'll also be unusual for the 43/44/45 to have brand new buses! When I first got into buses about 10 year ago they were mainly operated by the DAF ALX400's and then from 2017 the 57 plate Enviro 400's plus 1 x 14 reg 7522 which was always a special treat as it felt modern, and actually has heating that works unlike the 57 plates which I remember even in 2018 Beast From The East a lot of those buses didn't have working heating then either.

(24 Nov 2025, 10:57 pm)Arriva7446 wrote I think its 14 they are getting. Yes for routes 43/44/45, though will be interesting to see if they do anything else as the current interworking patterns involve some journeys going from these routes onto a Blyth route, especially at the start and end of day.

I was told at the time they won the Levelling Up funding for these that the criteria was quite strict and the reason the 43/44/45 were chosen was because they cover three local authorities in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. Apparently there is expectation that they should spend the majority of their miles on those routes for a set amount of time, but interworking patterns wouldn't cause any issues.

(24 Nov 2025, 11:08 pm)Shrek wrote I was told at the time they won the Levelling Up funding for these that the criteria was quite strict and the reason the 43/44/45 were chosen was because they cover three local authorities in Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland. Apparently there is expectation that they should spend the majority of their miles on those routes for a set amount of time, but interworking patterns wouldn't cause any issues.

I am quite glad about this as these rules will at least stop Arriva from moving them elsewhere and putting older stuff on instead, like they did with the Enviro 200 MMC's from Ashington in 2022. These criteria will keep them where they are which is reassuring!

I know it is not just Arriva that have a habit of that type of thing. I know Go North East did it too with the 17 plate Streetlites on the 2 in Sunderland with those routes having gone from Versa's, then back to Versas again.

(24 Nov 2025, 10:57 pm)Arriva7446 wrote I think its 14 they are getting. Yes for routes 43/44/45, though will be interesting to see if they do anything else as the current interworking patterns involve some journeys going from these routes onto a Blyth route, especially at the start and end of day.

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The front design of these deckers reminds me of the East Lancs Lolyne body, which is abit outdated design wise today, but I am excited anyway for Blyth's first brand new bus since 2013! (The 10 x Volvo B5LH were 13 reg, but they left for Yorkshire in 2018, so the last buses that were ordered new for Blyth which remain here are 1501 - 5 I think, new August 2012. Everything newer has been elsewhere first.)

Think it'll also be unusual for the 43/44/45 to have brand new buses! When I first got into buses about 10 year ago they were mainly operated by the DAF ALX400's and then from 2017 the 57 plate Enviro 400's plus 1 x 14 reg 7522 which was always a special treat as it felt modern, and actually has heating that works unlike the 57 plates which I remember even in 2018 Beast From The East a lot of those buses didn't have working heating then either.

I know they were trialled on the 306/308, unsure if it was a success, but those two services need a bit of love, i remember a time where the 308 was a flagship route and saw quite a bit of investment, now it appears like its been left to rot, 306 has always been a funny one though in regards to investment

(25 Nov 2025, 2:06 am)V514DFT wrote I know they were trialled on the 306/308, unsure if it was a success, but those two services need a bit of love, i remember a time where the 308 was a flagship route and saw quite a bit of investment, now it appears like its been left to rot, 306 has always been a funny one though in regards to investment

306/308 won't get touched until franchising - unless GNE can either get the needed infrastructure at Percy Main (or a nearby location) , or somehow move the 307/309 to Riverside but would cause a whole host of issues as seen with Chester Le Street closure.

Any bids for the 306/308 will likely be done alongside the 307/309.

(25 Nov 2025, 2:06 am)V514DFT wrote I know they were trialled on the 306/308, unsure if it was a success, but those two services need a bit of love, i remember a time where the 308 was a flagship route and saw quite a bit of investment, now it appears like its been left to rot, 306 has always been a funny one though in regards to investment

In fairness the 308 never really had investment much until 2007 and usually got second hand stock. The Scania N113 from down South, Tridents etc.

It's the X7/X8/X10/X11 which are over due as they used to be every 15 year or so. 

Scania L113/N113 East Lancs - 1995/96
Pulsar/DB300 - 2009/11
??? - 2024/5/6

7601-8 I'm sure were bought for the X7/X8 (X4/X5/X6) aswell hence them getting the Quorum Express livery early in their life and then the MAXX for the X7/X8/X9

(25 Nov 2025, 7:26 am)Storx wrote In fairness the 308 never really had investment much until 2007 and usually got second hand stock. The Scania N113 from down South, Tridents etc.

It's the X7/X8/X10/X11 which are over due as they used to be every 15 year or so. 

Scania L113/N113 East Lancs - 1995/96
Pulsar/DB300 - 2009/11
??? - 2024/5/6

7601-8 I'm sure were bought for the X7/X8 (X4/X5/X6) aswell hence them getting the Quorum Express livery early in their life and then the MAXX for the X7/X8/X9

The 308 had from the mid 90's until 2007

NMS/Arriva:
- Scania N113 Cityzens (1996-99)

- Ex London & Country East Lancs Cummins L10 Volvo Olympians (1999-2000)

- Ex Hexham/602 Palatine II Cummins L10 Volvo Olympians (2000-01)

- Ex MTL Leyland Olympians (2001-2002)

- Ex London Scania N113 Northern Counties (2002-03)

- Ex Hexham/602 Dennis Trident ALX400s (2003-05)

- Ex Durham County DAF DB250 Lowlanders (2005-07)

GNE/Coastline:
- ECW Leyland Olympians (until 2000)

- Volvo D10 Palatine II Volvo Olympians (2000-2002)

- Dennis Trident East Lancs Lolynes (2002-07)

Note that just before GNE & Arriva gave up 'joint operation' of the 308 - that GNE did use Volvo Olympians again when more Lolynes were needed for the then newly relaunched Coaster 1/2.

(25 Nov 2025, 1:20 pm)L469 YVK wrote The 308 had from the mid 90's until 2007

NMS/Arriva:
- Scania N113 Cityzens (1996-99)

- Ex London & Country East Lancs Cummins L10 Volvo Olympians (1999-2000)

- Ex Hexham/602 Palatine II Cummins L10 Volvo Olympians (2000-01)

- Ex MTL Leyland Olympians (2001-2002)

- Ex London Scania N113 Northern Counties (2002-03)

- Ex Hexham/602 Dennis Trident ALX400s (2003-05)

- Ex Durham County DAF DB250 Lowlanders (2005-07)

GNE/Coastline:
- ECW Leyland Olympians (until 2000)

- Volvo D10 Palatine II Volvo Olympians (2000-2002)

- Dennis Trident East Lancs Lolynes (2002-07)

Note that just before GNE & Arriva gave up 'joint operation' of the 308 - that GNE did use Volvo Olympians again when more Lolynes were needed for the then newly relaunched Coaster 1/2.

Don't think the Cityzen's were ever bought for the 308 were they? I know they wandered across, at times, but I always thought they were for the EX1/Cramlington Expresses/X24/X25/363/364 with their single decker cousins. 

Obviously Blyth never keeps things on what they're meant to be on though as, rightfully, regulation is more important.

(25 Nov 2025, 4:21 pm)Storx wrote Don't think the Cityzen's were ever bought for the 308 were they? I know they wandered across, at times, but I always thought they were for the EX1/Cramlington Expresses/X24/X25/363/364 with their single decker cousins. 

Obviously Blyth never keeps things on what they're meant to be on though as, rightfully, regulation is more important.

Maybe and possibly Blyth at the time still had a fair few ECW & Alexander Leyland Olympians kicking around.

I do remember when the ex London & Country East Lancs and then the ex 602 Palatines featured quite heavily on the 308. Interestingly IIRC, 372 which carried the Pennine livery was the only one which had an Almex fitted  - whereas the rest came with Wayfarer 3's fitted after the 602 got the awful Tridents!

(25 Nov 2025, 4:35 pm)L469 YVK wrote Maybe and possibly Blyth at the time still had a fair few ECW & Alexander Leyland Olympians kicking around.

I do remember when the ex London & Country East Lancs and then the ex 602 Palatines featured quite heavily on the 308. Interestingly IIRC, 372 which carried the Pennine livery was the only one which had an Almex fitted  - whereas the rest came with Wayfarer 3's fitted after the 602 got the awful Tridents!

Aye remember those things as a kid as they used to be pretty grotty and seriously outdated compared to the L113's which the 363/364 had on most the time. Like two completely different era's even known they weren't that far apart.

We rarely, if ever got the Tridents or Palentines though - what makes me think they were for the 308 etc. 

Ignoring, the serious design flaws of the Cityzens to the stage they were falling apart, them and their single cousins were really modern at the time. Even compared to the likes of the Palantines and the ex London/Midland Fox lot, they were years apart really. Arguably, some of the first 'modern era' buses interior wise really.

(25 Nov 2025, 4:41 pm)Storx wrote We rarely, if ever got the Tridents or Palentines though - what makes me think they were for the 308 etc. 

Blyth definitely had some M*** FTY palatines around 2000/01 before they got shipped onto Ashington & Alnwick.

Blyth also had 7430-35 between 2003-05 for the 308 as the ex Scotland B10BLEs replaced them on the 602 - and the 308 needed these for 'Super route' alongside GNE's Lolynes.

Tridents did appear on the 363/364 circuits in the 00s on occasion. The Scania single and double deckers were probably the last hurrah of Northumbria/Proudmutural contrasted against British Bus/Cowie/Arriva cost cutting - a high spec inheritor ruined by poor quality bodywork and maintenance.

After 2007 though, the 308 had what?
2013 they got the hybrids and remained that way for several years, now its a case of whatever is spare gets chucked on it, which leads me onto my next point, if the 306/308 suffers from various issues, people will be forced to use the 307/309, and vice versa, which could end up turning things a bit sour between GNE and Arriva

(25 Nov 2025, 8:20 pm)V514DFT wrote After 2007 though, the 308 had what?
2013 they got the hybrids and remained that way for several years, now its a case of whatever is spare gets chucked on it, which leads me onto my next point, if the 306/308 suffers from various issues, people will be forced to use the 307/309, and vice versa, which could end up turning things a bit sour between GNE and Arriva

I would argue that the core 308/306/309 route would be best served by trams. But I digress.

(25 Nov 2025, 7:40 pm)solsburian wrote Tridents did appear on the 363/364 circuits in the 00s on occasion. The Scania single and double deckers were probably the last hurrah of Northumbria/Proudmutural contrasted against British Bus/Cowie/Arriva cost cutting - a high spec inheritor ruined by poor quality bodywork and maintenance.

The M*** FTY Palatines were ordered by Proudmutal and delivered not long after British Bus takeover.

The Scania L113 & N113s were both ordered under British Bus who also had interests in East Lancs.

The P*** CCU Palatines were ordered under Cowie.

(25 Nov 2025, 7:40 pm)solsburian wrote Tridents did appear on the 363/364 circuits in the 00s on occasion. The Scania single and double deckers were probably the last hurrah of Northumbria/Proudmutural contrasted against British Bus/Cowie/Arriva cost cutting - a high spec inheritor ruined by poor quality bodywork and maintenance.

Honestly, can't remember them being on - if I had to be honest. Always felt like I used to get stuck with the pretty grim ex London Olympians which if I remember right some had wooden floors still. 

(25 Nov 2025, 8:20 pm)V514DFT wrote After 2007 though, the 308 had what?
2013 they got the hybrids and remained that way for several years, now its a case of whatever is spare gets chucked on it, which leads me onto my next point, if the 306/308 suffers from various issues, people will be forced to use the 307/309, and vice versa, which could end up turning things a bit sour between GNE and Arriva

The problem is the 307/309 hasn't had investment either, there's not much between the vehicles - they're pretty near identical for a passenger really. 

Who knows though, I have a feeling a fair chunk of Ashington's E400MMC's might end up at Blyth. The fact there's 31 17/72 Plate E400MMC's and 31 New E400MMC's coming is either a complete fluke or it probably says something...

(26 Nov 2025, 3:52 pm)Storx wrote Honestly, can't remember them being on - if I had to be honest. Always felt like I used to get stuck with the pretty grim ex London Olympians which if I remember right some had wooden floors still. 
The problem is the 307/309 hasn't had investment either, there's not much between the vehicles - they're pretty near identical for a passenger really. 
Who knows though, I have a feeling a fair chunk of Ashington's E400MMC's might end up at Blyth. The fact there's 31 17/72 Plate E400MMC's and 31 New E400MMC's coming is either a complete fluke or it probably says something...

25 of the E400's will to go Ashington & Blyth, but I understand that the 17 plate E400s are going to Yorkshire.
The last 6 will go to Redcar, replacing the B9's.

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(25 Nov 2025, 8:20 pm)V514DFT wrote After 2007 though, the 308 had what?
2013 they got the hybrids and remained that way for several years, now its a case of whatever is spare gets chucked on it, which leads me onto my next point, if the 306/308 suffers from various issues, people will be forced to use the 307/309, and vice versa, which could end up turning things a bit sour between GNE and Arriva

Ive been told that GNE have served notice on the Qualifying Agreement and it will therefore cease from March next year.

(26 Nov 2025, 7:50 pm)Superman wrote

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Ive been told that GNE have served notice on the Qualifying Agreement and it will therefore cease from March next year.

Why would GNE do that!? Unless they're making enough money though High Farm (it's always quite popular) - that they can commercially afford to ditch the agreement.

Saying that - I hope Arriva heavily retaliate if GNE abandon, considering Arriva had the traditional stronghold on the Coast Road.

If GNE do pull out, something is telling me they might bring back the 311 and if Arriva can't react, will overpower Arriva with the 6-7 minute combined service vs 10 minute service!

(26 Nov 2025, 7:50 pm)Superman wrote 25 of the E400's will to go Ashington & Blyth, but I understand that the 17 plate E400s are going to Yorkshire.
The last 6 will go to Redcar, replacing the B9's.

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Ive been told that GNE have served notice on the Qualifying Agreement and it will therefore cease from March next year.

25 in doesn't seem enough if 12 of the newest ones are going to Yorkshire. That leaves the 14/64 plates which can't handle anything more than a 35, and the 72-plates which have constant electrical issues. Nothing to replace the crippled Pulsars either (1390-3, 1462, 1497, 1537-43) which are breaking on a daily basis. So that's a net negative overall.  

In terms of the Coast Road, you'd have to assume GNE have served notice because of how bad the Arriva operation is. Constantly dropping services, leaving hour gaps in 308s, using Pulsars on peak runs from town, and not regulating anything. 

Still yet to see any positivity from this new management that was meant to be fixing everything. 

I hear the councillor for Pegswood is finally meeting with Arriva (after being ignored for months) to discuss the state of the 35. That'll be a fun conversation. "We've massively increased how many services we're running, but have got no suitable buses to run them, so we drop about 6 X21/22 boards a day to allow us to run the X30 which carries fresh air".

(26 Nov 2025, 8:27 pm)PH - BQA wrote 25 in doesn't seem enough if 12 of the newest ones are going to Yorkshire. That leaves the 14/64 plates which can't handle anything more than a 35, and the 72-plates which have constant electrical issues. Nothing to replace the crippled Pulsars either (1390-3, 1462, 1497, 1537-43) which are breaking on a daily basis. So that's a net negative overall.  

In terms of the Coast Road, you'd have to assume GNE have served notice because of how bad the Arriva operation is. Constantly dropping services, leaving hour gaps in 308s, using Pulsars on peak runs from town, and not regulating anything. 

Still yet to see any positivity from this new management that was meant to be fixing everything. 

I hear the councillor for Pegswood is finally meeting with Arriva (after being ignored for months) to discuss the state of the 35. That'll be a fun conversation. "We've massively increased how many services we're running, but have got no suitable buses to run them, so we drop about 6 X21/22 boards a day to allow us to run the X30 which carries fresh air".

Somewhere in the plan I think doubles go in and singles come out, which probably means the Geminis are being kept over Pulsars. Im not 100% on that though. I will try and find out. The Yorkshire fleet is absolutely shocking, so its not really a surprise that they are looking at cascading within the region.

On the Coast Road, GNE are blaming NECA for not progressing bus priority and the desire to make savings on peak time resources.

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(26 Nov 2025, 8:06 pm)L469 YVK wrote Why would GNE do that!? Unless they're making enough money though High Farm (it's always quite popular) - that they can commercially afford to ditch the agreement.

Saying that - I hope Arriva heavily retaliate if GNE abandon, considering Arriva had the traditional stronghold on the Coast Road.

If GNE do pull out, something is telling me they might bring back the 311 and if Arriva can't react, will overpower Arriva with the 6-7 minute combined service vs 10 minute service!

Unlikely. I suspect GNE actually want to make savings.

(26 Nov 2025, 8:40 pm)Superman wrote Somewhere in the plan I think doubles go in and singles come out, which probably means the Geminis are being kept over Pulsars. Im not 100% on that though. I will try and find out. The Yorkshire fleet is absolutely shocking, so its not really a surprise that they are looking at cascading within the region.

On the Coast Road, GNE are blaming NECA for not progressing bus priority and the desire to make savings on peak time resources.

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Unlikely. I suspect GNE actually want to make savings.

Good to see they're keeping the Gemini's if they decide to. I know they're older, but it's not like they're miles apart and I'd assume both will be gone before long anyway. The Pulsar's at Blyth bar the few on the X9, are a nuisance, as an understatement and I'd think anyone would prefer a Gemini which have aged well really. 

I assume the E400MMC's currently Whitby will be heading North as part of it, so suppose that's another 4 if that's the case? 

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Assume the GNE changes, will be the scrapping of services heading from/to Newcastle at peak times, and them forming the X39's instead to save a few buses and drivers. Had a feeling it wouldn't be anything positive. GNE and positive don't go together.

(26 Nov 2025, 8:40 pm)Superman wrote Somewhere in the plan I think doubles go in and singles come out, which probably means the Geminis are being kept over Pulsars. Im not 100% on that though. I will try and find out.

On the Coast Road, GNE are blaming NECA for not progressing bus priority and the desire to make savings on peak time resources.

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Unlikely. I suspect GNE actually want to make savings.

But if the 17-plate MMCs (all of which are better than any classic E400) are leaving, then they're not much further forward realistically. They (7541-52) would be best staying for the X21/22, which they're well suited to and gives suitable backups for the X18 and X20 boards. If they kept the 12 17-plates, 15 72-plates, and gained 15 of the 25 new E400s that would give 42 deckers to cover the X14/5/6/8 (16 buses), X20/30 (6 buses), and X21/22/35 (20 buses). Given there are a couple of each booked for saloons that's them fully sorted with a decent spare percentage, and would allow 7526-33 and 7553/4 to move to Blyth for the (slightly) less demanding work there.

Interesting regarding the Coast Road in that case, I wonder if Arriva have any plans in place to get vehicles together to run all 4 routes should they need to...

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(26 Nov 2025, 8:52 pm)Storx wrote I assume the E400MMC's currently Whitby will be heading North as part of it, so suppose that's another 4 if that's the case? 

If Whitby are expecting 6, and they need them to run the X94 too, then I'd expect 7578-81 to be staying down there for the 'summer' at least?

(26 Nov 2025, 8:54 pm)PH - BQA wrote If Whitby are expecting 6, and they need them to run the X94 too, then I'd expect 7578-81 to be staying down there for the 'summer' at least?

Guess it depends what happens with the B9's. There's arguably not going to be many takers for them, so maybe they might go into the Summer role instead, similar the B7TL's used to do? Could maybe take over the P&R and release the 2 16 Plate E400MMC's, when they come, to somewhere more useful aswell?

They might actually work if they're only used half the year. Might doing a lot of heavy lifting. 

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Btw if Blyth is getting some of the new buses, I'd assume they're getting either 18 or 14 of the things? It's the PVR of the X7/X8/X10/X11 and 306/308 respectively. Be a bit bizarre to order half a batch of buses then run around old stuff on the other boards. Doesn't help Ashington that though mind but I have a feeling the E400's might be coming your way for some reason, not the opposite way.

(26 Nov 2025, 8:52 pm)Storx wrote Assume the GNE changes, will be the scrapping of services heading from/to Newcastle at peak times, and them forming the X39's instead to save a few buses and drivers. Had a feeling it wouldn't be anything positive. GNE and positive don't go together.

IMO, I don't see how they can do that on a 20 minute frequency for both services - the 309 still needs to be every 20 minutes during peak times as that's the all stopping Cobalt service.

I hope Arriva do bite back in retaliation and go back to a full 7-8 (or 15 minute each service) and full service evenings & Sundays including a 30 minute service each on the 306 & 308.

In fact, they could probably win over quite a few punters in Battle Hill if the 306 went back to every 15 minutes and running a more direct route missing High Farm. Every 10 minutes but stopping at every stop in High Farm vs every 15 minutes breezing through Selby Gardens.....it's a no brainer.

(26 Nov 2025, 9:08 pm)Storx wrote Btw if Blyth is getting some of the new buses, I'd assume they're getting either 18 or 14 of the things? It's the PVR of the X7/X8/X10/X11 and 306/308 respectively. Be a bit bizarre to order half a batch of buses then run around old stuff on the other boards. Doesn't help Ashington that though mind but I have a feeling the E400's might be coming your way for some reason, not the opposite way.

Trying to do the maths on it, but I wonder if it is something like:

Ashington IN:
16x E400 MMC (new)
15x Pulsar (1500-1505, 1514-1522)

Ashington OUT:
12x E400 MMC (7541-52)
8x Streetlite (1574-78, 1581-3)
11x Pulsar (1404, 1419, 1462, 1497, 1537-43)

Blyth IN:
9x E400 MMC (new)
14x BYD Electric (new)

Blyth OUT:
12x E400 (7501-7/9, 7557/8/60/62)
11x Pulsar (1463, 1480, 1493, 1495, 1496, 1500-1505)

You've then got very similar amounts of new vehicles in at each depot, but crucially you've eliminated all Pulsars at Blyth bar 1499. Doesn't make any inroads on the 59-plates though, but I wonder if that is being allowed so that the 17-plates can move? The Streetlite/Pulsar swap at Ashington makes sense to me so that all Streetlites are concentrated in the southern part of the operation, and they're not really suited to express work in the same way Pulsars are. Extra deckers in at Darlington would release the additional one. Gets rid of all interurban and MAX Pulsars - does keep 1390-3 though. 

Realistically you need at least 12x of the new MMCs going to Ashington just to replace the 17-plates should they go, you can't send them any additional classic E400s as they cannot cope on the express work anymore. There's no chance they need to drop onto that at Blyth, whereas at Ashington there is.

(26 Nov 2025, 9:33 pm)PH - BQA wrote Trying to do the maths on it, but I wonder if it is something like:

Ashington IN:
16x E400 MMC (new)
15x Pulsar (1500-1505, 1514-1522)

Ashington OUT:
12x E400 MMC (7541-52)
8x Streetlite (1574-78, 1581-3)
11x Pulsar (1404, 1419, 1462, 1497, 1537-43)

Blyth IN:
9x E400 MMC (new)
14x BYD Electric (new)

Blyth OUT:
12x E400 (7501-7/9, 7557/8/60/62)
11x Pulsar (1463, 1480, 1493, 1495, 1496, 1500-1505)

You've then got very similar amounts of new vehicles in at each depot, but crucially you've eliminated all Pulsars at Blyth bar 1499. Doesn't make any inroads on the 59-plates though, but I wonder if that is being allowed so that the 17-plates can move? The Streetlite/Pulsar swap at Ashington makes sense to me so that all Streetlites are concentrated in the southern part of the operation, and they're not really suited to express work in the same way Pulsars are. Extra deckers in at Darlington would release the additional one. Gets rid of all interurban and MAX Pulsars - does keep 1390-3 though. 

Realistically you need at least 12x of the new MMCs going to Ashington just to replace the 17-plates should they go, you can't send them any additional classic E400s as they cannot cope on the express work anymore. There's no chance they need to drop onto that at Blyth, whereas at Ashington there is.

Not going to lie, I kinda had a thought it might be very different in a way, which in reality probably is stupid, but we're talking about Arriva here so stupid can happen:

Blyth
In:
14x E400MMC - 306/308 (New)
14x BYD Electric - 43/44/45 (New)

Out:
10x Pulsar (1463,1480,1493,1495,1496,1501-5)
16x E400 (All Of Them)
2x DB300 (Pulsar's going instead of the rest of these)

Ashington
In:
10x E400MMC (New)
4x E400MMC (72 Plate)
4x E400 (Blyth's)
5x Pulsar (1501-5)

Out:
11x Pulsar (Take your pick of the worst)
12x E400MMC (17 Plate)

Whitby
In:
6x E400MMC (New)

Out:
4x E400MMC (72 Plate)

It's not much of an improvement for Ashington but it should get rid of the singles off the X21/X22/35 but now relying on the awful the E400 Classics which makes no sense in reality but would it really be a surprise? Pulsar's filling in as spares since there isn't any which again would it be a surprise? The 72 Plates from Whitby and 10 new being the replacements for the 17 Plates so it's pretty much just like for like replacements really.

Edited, allocations wise, on paper, it'd be quite tidy aswell ie:

Blyth:
X7/X8/X10/X11: 18x 61 Gemini's
306/308: 14x E400MMC's
43/44/45: 14x BYD Electrics
X9/Spares: 59 Plate DB300's (Would've been Pulsars which is idiotic)

Ashington:
1/2: 8x Streetlite's
57/57A: 5x Pulsar (1501-5)
Morpeth Express/X20/777: 22x E400MMC
X21/X22/35: 14x E400 Classic + 7x E400MMC
Spares: Pulsars

Whitby:
X93/X94 (Winter): 6x E400MMC's
X93/X94 (Summer + P&R): 6x B9TL's

Obviously there's some big flaws in reality, but no doubt the management in the HQ work on spreadsheets and they'll see a 50% renewal/newer than 5 year at each of the depots.

(26 Nov 2025, 9:27 pm)L469 YVK wrote IMO, I don't see how they can do that on a 20 minute frequency for both services - the 309 still needs to be every 20 minutes during peak times as that's the all stopping Cobalt service.

I hope Arriva do bite back in retaliation and go back to a full 7-8 (or 15 minute each service) and full service evenings & Sundays including a 30 minute service each on the 306 & 308.

In fact, they could probably win over quite a few punters in Battle Hill if the 306 went back to every 15 minutes and running a more direct route missing High Farm. Every 10 minutes but stopping at every stop in High Farm vs every 15 minutes breezing through Selby Gardens.....it's a no brainer.

Quite easy really, 

Just merge the X39 and 309 together. So the X39 runs from Blyth and drop a few 309 boards. For example in evening losing the 15:07, 15:49, 16:27 and 17:21 out of Blyth, it wouldn't be the end of the world. The 307 covers most the route very close by along the Coast Road for the few heading into Newcastle and there's still a few 309 albeit quite infrequent for the few wanting a bus from Cobalt.

Not saying they'll do this but it's easily doable.

(26 Nov 2025, 8:06 pm)L469 YVK wrote Why would GNE do that!? Unless they're making enough money though High Farm (it's always quite popular) - that they can commercially afford to ditch the agreement.

Saying that - I hope Arriva heavily retaliate if GNE abandon, considering Arriva had the traditional stronghold on the Coast Road.

If GNE do pull out, something is telling me they might bring back the 311 and if Arriva can't react, will overpower Arriva with the 6-7 minute combined service vs 10 minute service!

I can see this happening and the 307 going back to being the 310, who knows with GNE though, they're good at catching us off guard with something unexpected