(03 Feb 2026, 10:40 am)ReDemPTiion wrote From what I’ve just read Stagecoach have lost the 18 to Northstar the 32/32A to Gateshead Central and the 737 to Go North East and got nothing in return. Not looking good.

I’m also not sure how accurate it is when there’s been talks of electric buses on the 32/32A

Wasn't the plan that the electric buses would owned by NECA then leased? So regardless of who has it, they'd operate the electrics.

A la bee network/TFL

(03 Feb 2026, 5:09 pm)Ambassador wrote Wasn't the plan that the electric buses would owned by NECA then leased? So regardless of who has it, they'd operate the electrics.

A la bee network/TFL

I don’t see how that would work if the contract kept switching companies. Especially with companies having their own branding if the buses went to stagecoach in a different colour people would just be confused. Take 26282 in Cleveland transit livery when it came to Newcastle people kept asking if it was a Stagecoach bus.

If Stagecoach felt that the 32/32A was worth investing in with brand new buses, then maybe they will take it on commercially.

I don't mind that they have lost the 18 though, as that service used all deckers, when many of their core services were being run by single decks.

Though knowing Stagecoach they will take the opportunity to withdraw 3 x 58 plate decker as they are older than the Enviro 300's 11 plate and so nothing will change.

Is 73103 on road yet have not seen it yet for some weeks now.

(Yesterday, 12:32 am)Arriva7446 wrote If Stagecoach felt that the 32/32A was worth investing in with brand new buses, then maybe they will take it on commercially.

I don't mind that they have lost the 18 though, as that service used all deckers, when many of their core services were being run by single decks.

Though knowing Stagecoach they will take the opportunity to withdraw 3 x 58 plate decker as they are older than the Enviro 300's 11 plate and so nothing will change.

That’s true, maybe stagecoach don’t want them commercially. Drivers don’t take much during the day so they probably think it’s not worth it. However if they did put EV’s on they’d save money in not having to waste fuel so it’s tough to say if they would be happy with that or not.

(Yesterday, 2:17 am)Glen1974 wrote Is 73103 on road yet have not seen it yet for some weeks now.

No

It’s away getting repaired

Ok mate

Well with it now pretty much confirmed that Stagecoach have lost the 32/32A to Gateshead Central I would fully expect Slatyford’s 36468-36477 to leave for another depot probably Hartlepool to withdraw their older 59 plate E200’s. Slatyford will probably keep the newer 65 plate E200’s 37312-37319 for the time being.

(Yesterday, 8:31 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote Well with it now pretty much confirmed that Stagecoach have lost the 32/32A to Gateshead Central I would fully expect Slatyford’s 36468-36477 to leave for another depot probably Hartlepool to withdraw their older 59 plate E200’s. Slatyford will probably keep the newer 65 plate E200’s 37312-37319 for the time being.

Means nothing, GCT won the 32/32A last year, but because of some issue, they ended up not being able to operate it

(11 hours ago)V514DFT wrote Means nothing, GCT won the 32/32A last year, but because of some issue, they ended up not being able to operate it

Lack of buses and drivers i believe was the reason

(10 hours ago)Nerd4321 wrote Lack of buses and drivers i believe was the reason

The obvious answer is not to bid for it if they know they can’t run it. But. A year later you’d hope they’d solved the problems allowing them to run it.

(6 hours ago)Coastliner700 wrote The obvious answer is not to bid for it if they know they can’t run it. But. A year later you’d hope they’d solved the problems allowing them to run it.

When they last won it they also won the 35 at the time so the decided on taking the 35 as they weren’t sure they’d have the staff to cover both. This time around if they’ve bid again and kept the 35, gained the 599 I’m guessing they have enough staff to do the service this time. I fully expect that contract to be signed on Friday 13th February.

(6 hours ago)Coastliner700 wrote The obvious answer is not to bid for it if they know they can’t run it. But. A year later you’d hope they’d solved the problems allowing them to run it.

Problem with that is if you have capacity to run 6 buses, only bid for 6 and only win 3. Better off bidding for 12 and if you win 9 you chuck 3 back…