(06 Jan 2026, 5:31 pm)Malarkey wrote The first Voltra Wright Electroliner (6821/MA75 CUJ) has been delivered to Riverside Depot - https://flickr.com/photos/c-newman-photo...1792356885

How long before its off route on the 21 or covering on the Q3

Really find it weird how they've kept Voltra but looks like they're going to drop X Lines. Say what you will about X Lines, that livery certainly looks better than Voltra.

(06 Jan 2026, 11:24 pm)Storx wrote I don't know why, but personally I'm not that confident that the E400MMC's will be leaving Riverside now.

Now that the new Ultraliners have been sent to Consett which comes across as a last ditch change, I have a feeling those 4 spare and the ones on the X5/X15 might be the X21 allocation instead as it needs something since there's not enough of the 70 Plates for the 56 from Washington alone. 

There's also the big question of the B5TL's at Deptford and E200MMC's at Consett/Riverside aswell which are both routeless pretty much atm.

The only thing to bear in mind is the low bridge issue with the X30s / X70s meaning that if Riverside got 8x E400MMC, Consett would be relying on single deckers as spares.

However......they 'could' make the X70/X73 standalone with a PVR of 5x and have the X71 as a 'there and back' standalone as a PVR of 3 which would reduce the number of low height deckers needed. Wouldn't be as efficient on the driving hours, but would mean most of the X70/X71/X73 boards get relieved in Consett as opposed to a some ending up in Stanley countering it out.

Unless......the other plan is to make some X30/X31/X32 and X70/X71/X73 boards single deck - with the busier boards using deckers and quieter ones using singles.

21st January at utilita arena 11.30am-1.30pm..Launch Day for the NEW ELECTRIC vehicles.

(07 Jan 2026, 1:43 pm)Retro Nero wrote 21st January at utilita arena 11.30am-1.30pm..Launch Day for the NEW ELECTRIC vehicles.

Depending on which way they decide to come from Riverside Depot it looks like they'll be entering Utilitia Arena via either Swing Bridge, Skinnerburn Road, Dunn Street, Red Rose Street or Redheugh Bridge, Scotswood Road, William Armstrong Drive, Monarch Road, Skinnerburn Road, Dunn Street and Red Rose Street onto the Car Park to avoid the Railway Bridges.

Went passed Riverside this afternoon and looks as though Driver Familiarisation Training has started with 6388 seen doing few laps around by Depot/Costco this afternoon, also seen an Angel Electroliner heading along by the Metro Retail Park also looked to be doing the same or potentially on delivery, not 100% sure as I was distance away as it flashed by.

(08 Jan 2026, 5:34 pm)Malarkey wrote Went passed Riverside this afternoon and looks as though Driver Familiarisation Training has started with 6388 seen doing few laps around by Depot/Costco this afternoon, also seen an Angel Electroliner heading along by the Metro Retail Park also looked to be doing the same or potentially on delivery, not 100% sure as I was distance away as it flashed by.

I know some have started being delivered to Washington too, assume for the same reason.

(08 Jan 2026, 6:55 pm)deanmachine wrote I know some have started being delivered to Washington too, assume for the same reason.

I noticed there was significantly less diesel ones parked up at Riverside this afternoon, I did see a photo of 6379 at Consett Bus Station on Facebook so rumour of some going there must be true.

(08 Jan 2026, 9:04 pm)Malarkey wrote I noticed there was significantly less diesel ones parked up at Riverside this afternoon, I did see a photo of 6379 at Consett Bus Station on Facebook so rumour of some going there must be true.

6388 on Driver Familiarisation Duties - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ateposted/

6804 on charge - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ateposted/

Anyone know the Reg Plate for 6804 as I couldn't make it out?

I know it's a bit nitpicking and not unique to GNE but I wish when people designed bus designs they actually respected the bus design.

The panel behind the driver window is blatently meant to be black with the rubber underneath and looks 10x better being black aswell.

ie:


It's such a simple change aswell.

(08 Jan 2026, 10:01 pm)Storx wrote I know it's a bit nitpicking and not unique to GNE but I wish when people designed bus designs they actually respected the bus design.

The panel behind the driver window is blatently meant to be black with the rubber underneath and looks 10x better being black aswell.

ie:


It's such a simple change aswell.

It's looks much better to be fair.

You know what is even more strange is seeing a Streetdeck without the glass staircase when your so used to seeing one.

Will the new Consett allocated Ultroliners be allocated to the Sunday 47 boards, given that they won't be needed on the Sunday X45 due to the interworkings with the X30 & X72?

Just a heads up the Vehicle Launch at Utilitia Arena is for GNE/Go-Ahead Staff Only from an email I have just received back from Go North East as I enquired about attending the event as I am sure others on here were also looking to do so.

Are the new Streetdecks at Consett definitely for the X45, they could be for the 47 replacing 6043 - 48, Do people think 6043 - 48 will stay at COnsett, maybe they will go on the X15 and X5 instead of Voyager buses.

(09 Jan 2026, 3:54 pm)Malarkey wrote Just a heads up the Vehicle Launch at Utilitia Arena is for GNE/Go-Ahead Staff Only from an email I have just received back from Go North East as I enquired about attending the event as I am sure others on here were also looking to do so.

They cannot stop you from photoing the vehicles on the move to and from the event via the public highway or are they planning to airdrop the buses in.

Plus the car park at the arena is in public use also.

How many new buses are arrived so far?

Are we still looking towards end of January for them to enter service?

I’m not sure if this is true or not but I heard rumours going around that Go North East are getting new Volvo B8L MCV evoseti for the X10

(12 Jan 2026, 9:42 pm)busesofthenortheast wrote I’m not sure if this is true or not but I heard rumours going around that Go North East are getting new Volvo B8L MCV evoseti for the X10

I doubt it as there only available on tri-axle variants as likely would not fit into Eldon Square. 

I said a while back they should get Yutong GT12's and up the frequency to every 30 minutes.

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(12 Jan 2026, 9:49 pm)Malarkey wrote I doubt it as there only available on tri-axle variants and likely would not fit into Eldon Square. 

I said a while back they should get Yutong GT12's and up the frequency to every 30 minutes.

(12 Jan 2026, 9:49 pm)Malarkey wrote I doubt it as there only available on tri-axle variants as likely would not fit into Eldon Square. 

I said a while back they should get Yutong GT12's and up the frequency to every 30 minutes.

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12m would fit in Eldon Square given that GNE have operated full length OmniDekkas from both Eldon Square and Haymarket.

IMO - they wouldn't be a bad purchase. 7-8 years on the X10, then could still probably ha e decent lifespans in them for even the likes of the Derwentside services etc.

Only way I could see this happening would be Washington & Riverside having no Diesel Ultroliners as spares - which doesn't make sense

Would be:
- 6x Consett - X45 + 1x spare
- 12x Washington - X1
- 7x Riverside - X21 with 6377 as part of PVR or X21 scaled back to Bishop Auckland

(12 Jan 2026, 9:49 pm)Malarkey wrote I doubt it as there only available on tri-axle variants as likely would not fit into Eldon Square. 

I said a while back they should get Yutong GT12's and up the frequency to every 30 minutes.

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I think you would get a tri-axle into Eldon Square. 

Suppose then if they order enough for the frequency to go every 30 mins so (8), in a 7-8 years they could be put on X5/X15

6396 out on X1

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If it stays on 1419 from E Sq to Peterlee. 1554 back to Eldon Square and 1744 to Picktree

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(Yesterday, 12:54 pm)Swiny1 wrote 6396 out on X1

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If it stays on 1419 from E Sq to Peterlee. 1554 back to Eldon Square and 1744 to Picktree

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X1 Allocations for today: 5465, 6213, 6215, 6301, 6303, 6302, 6304, 6305, 6369, 6371, 6373

Daft question here, but given some of the complexities during covid, why didn't Go-Ahead order low height Wright deckers?

All of Arriva's & Stagecoach's orders outside of London (unless for any franchising areas) have been low height for the DB300/E400/E400MMC and StreetDeck.

6396 on John Dobson Street before doing an X1A to Picktree Village this evening - https://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalark...ateposted/

6808 making its debut on the 21

6.47 from CLS to town

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No NSA and it just blares welcome aboard

Green tape still covering the steps upstairs

Seems pretty pacy but by god the seats are lner levels of uncomfortable

(1 hour ago)Ambassador wrote 6808 making its debut on the 21

6.47 from CLS to town

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No NSA and it just blares welcome aboard

Green tape still covering the steps upstairs

Seems pretty pacy but by god the seats are lner levels of uncomfortable

6818 Also out and 6391 on the way to SS on the 50

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Think it will just be a case of keep checking today 6385 now on X1

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