(08 Mar 2026, 12:30 pm)Storx wrote Not sure I agree with that you'd just create an ultra long bus route with no benefits for anyone. 

The 355 needs to exist as it's the only bus between along Matthew Bank, and it's well used tbh and the 353 just wouldn't work at all, without literally doubling back on itself.

Matthew Bank is served by the X7 and X8 as well so the 355 doesn’t need to exist and I’ll be rather amazed if it survives beyond the next major North Tyneside service changes

(08 Mar 2026, 9:58 pm)220631612 wrote Matthew Bank is served by the X7 and X8 as well so the 355 doesn’t need to exist and I’ll be rather amazed if it survives beyond the next major North Tyneside service changes

The X7/X8 run non-stop from South Gosforth to Newcastle bar an evening bizarrely. Can't see that changing now as they would've done it when they cut the 55 in the first place.

The 355, is always quite well loaded, can't see it going anywhere personally, plenty services (ie 57) you could tag it on if you wanted to move it from Percy Main.

6801 has been delivered, thats them all here.

Seems the Crusader 27 will now be referred as the 27 from some point onwards from these changes.
It is not marked as "Crusader 27" on the PDF Timetable that is on Go North East's website.
Cobalt & Coast looks to be keeping the name as the name is on the new PDF timetable for these changes

Be surprised to see crusader dropped as a brand… I don’t understand the point of dropping brands that were relatively strong. Crusader and Drifter I thought were brands that had existed for years and I think at least had a bit of recognition with passengers. Don’t get me wrong there’s many examples of poor brands and that Berries, Cherries and Blondies a few years back in Sunderland springs to mind… but I’m now at that point where am not sure what the policy is with branding?

There’s also the mess of two branded routes interworking, such as X20 Xlines and 65 Prince Bishops: so you get a sprinkling of both sets of vehicles/brands/colours across both routes…

(10 Mar 2026, 9:40 pm)X919 WGR wrote Seems the Crusader 27 will now be referred as the 27 from some point onwards from these changes.
It is not marked as "Crusader 27" on the PDF Timetable that is on Go North East's website.
Cobalt & Coast looks to be keeping the name as the name is on the new PDF timetable for these changes

I would guess the Cobalt&Coast brand will go when the 307/309 get EVs? Can't see new buses getting painted into Cobalt&Coast, most likely Voltra, potentially with sub-branding, but we haven't seen that so far with the 53/54, 58 or Q3, and I'm not sure if the X66 is getting any sort of sub-branding or not?

Does the Q3 need to be the Q3? Surely it should be the 303? Q1/Q2 became 51/52 and the 53/54 don't have any reference to serving the quayside so why does the Q3?  Either 3 or 303 would make sense.

(12 Mar 2026, 12:13 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I would guess the Cobalt&Coast brand will go when the 307/309 get EVs? Can't see new buses getting painted into Cobalt&Coast, most likely Voltra, potentially with sub-branding, but we haven't seen that so far with the 53/54, 58 or Q3, and I'm not sure if the X66 is getting any sort of sub-branding or not?

Does the Q3 need to be the Q3? Surely it should be the 303? Q1/Q2 became 51/52 and the 53/54 don't have any reference to serving the quayside so why does the Q3?  Either 3 or 303 would make sense.

I hope it doesn't fall under Voltra. The Electrics need something new or they really need to start trying applying the fleet livery on the electrics because whilst Voltra worked for the 53/54. The new look makes Voltra look like a whole other company especially with the place names and route numbers taken off and also with the brand branching into the 58/X66 & sometimes the 49 & 57. 

I'd rather them just put the electrics into the Fleet Livery with electric tagline sub-branding.

(12 Mar 2026, 1:22 pm)X919 WGR wrote I hope it doesn't fall under Voltra. The Electrics need something new or they really need to start trying applying the fleet livery on the electrics because whilst Voltra worked for the 53/54. The new look makes Voltra look like a whole other company especially with the place names and route numbers taken off and also with the brand branching into the 58/X66 & sometimes the 49 & 57. 

I'd rather them just put the electrics into the Fleet Livery with electric tagline sub-branding.

I could be wrong, but I thought all electrics were going into Voltra except flagship routes like the Angel (cityrider?). Maybe Cobalt&Coast will be retained, but if anything I would have thought Coaster for the 301 and 307/309 would make the most sense, with Cobalt less of a destination since the pandemic. But even the Coaster 301 is going into fleet livery I believe, whenever it gets deckers.

With so many EVs coming into service, I don't see why they need a different identity. Arriva's new buses are just in Arriva livery, not Arriva Electric.

(12 Mar 2026, 12:13 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I would guess the Cobalt&Coast brand will go when the 307/309 get EVs? 

I can't see either going EV as it would most likely involve a depot closure.

Would most likely be Arriva's 306 & 308 given that Blyth will be set up for EV's.

(12 Mar 2026, 2:22 pm)L469 YVK wrote I can't see either going EV as it would most likely involve a depot closure.

Would most likely be Arriva's 306 & 308 given that Blyth will be set up for EV's.

There’s a literal statement from go north east MD confirming they are going electric?!

(12 Mar 2026, 2:41 pm)Ambassador wrote There’s a literal statement from go north east MD confirming they are going electric?!

Yes they are putting chargers at Percy Main.

(12 Mar 2026, 3:07 pm)deanmachine wrote Yes they are putting chargers at Percy Main.

Is there confirmation that they’re actually putting chargers in at Percy Main? As unless they’re knocking down the depot and rebuilding it, which I find highly unlikely, there’s nowhere to put chargers.

(12 Mar 2026, 2:41 pm)Ambassador wrote There’s a literal statement from go north east MD confirming they are going electric?!

Sorry........just seen this!

Quite interesting it will be 18x vehicles. Take it GNE are going to milk the funding for a PVR / frequency increase?

(12 Mar 2026, 4:44 pm)220631612 wrote Is there confirmation that they’re actually putting chargers in at Percy Main? As unless they’re knocking down the depot and rebuilding it, which I find highly unlikely, there’s nowhere to put chargers.

Be interesting, if they do want to stay there, whether they decide to move instead.

As far as I'm aware, once all the old Metro trains are scrapped, the Howdon Metro Depot won't be needed anymore.

Maybe Nexus/Kim/GNE might come to some deal with changing that into a new modern bus depot on a very cheap lease. At the end of the day, the tax payer is going to be buying them all eventually anyway and no-one wants a random industrial shed there. Seems like a win for everyone to me, and since the Metro is there, there's got to be electric around.

From the briefing we got a few days ago.

Is it me or is the x10 the most unreble service  as  there seems to be constant brakes down on there  

What could be done  to help the x10

(15 Mar 2026, 5:43 pm)Dan manger wrote Is it me or is the x10 the most unreble service  as  there seems to be constant brakes down on there  

What could be done  to help the x10

12m Volvo B8L EvoSeti - which would fit in Eldon Square.

Apparently effective from today, the 307 is omitting Meadow Well after 6pm until further notice, due to vandalism

(Yesterday, 4:36 pm)V514DFT wrote Apparently effective from today, the 307 is omitting Meadow Well after 6pm until further notice, due to vandalism

The Q3 is also omitting the Fossway/Stotts road due to the same issues.

(Yesterday, 7:52 pm)WestDurhamSwift wrote The Q3 is also omitting the Fossway/Stotts road due to the same issues.

Its getting really bad for vandalism now

I can see the same happening at Houghton Church too.

Does anyone know what will be allocated to the 333/787?

(5 hours ago)Michael wrote Does anyone know what will be allocated to the 333/787?

Solo and if its Riverside run then probs the CB12 Yutongs

(5 hours ago)Nerd4321 wrote Solo and if its Riverside run then probs the CB12 Yutongs

Solo makes sense for the 333. I was expecting the 787 to be a double decker from Riverside?

(5 hours ago)Nerd4321 wrote Solo and if its Riverside run then probs the CB12 Yutongs

Decent buses tbh, I wonder if the Venture Solos will head to Percy Main for the 333?

(5 hours ago)Michael wrote Decent buses tbh, I wonder if the Venture Solos will head to Percy Main for the 333?

Percy Main have had an additional Solo 690 since beginning of week. Have to say their availability is shocking with at least one or more of them off road each day!

(4 hours ago)Coastliner700 wrote Percy Main have had an additional Solo 690 since beginning of week. Have to say their availability is shocking with at least one or more of them off road each day!

Its beyond a joke now. 

Seeing the fact that the 342 cant seem to be fully solo anymore and I do wonder who and what they were taking when they decided that the 356 should be solo allocated 

Seems its just now chucking buses round different depots to see if they fit well

(5 hours ago)Michael wrote Decent buses tbh, I wonder if the Venture Solos will head to Percy Main for the 333?

I doubt it tbh. It would be nice to give a little extra life within the fleet since it could work the 317/333.
But depending on how they will get the Solo's to Percy Main, Whether they Pay CAZ or go the much longer way round I don't think it will be really worth it

surely the 333 should be an open topper, especially in this weather!