(09 May 2026, 11:25 am)Busesinnewcastle wrote Along with 10635 at Slatyford

19682 is at sunderland

So 19646 and 10635 went to Slatyford to replace a couple of Yutong’s that went off to be charged for the LS1 service this evening. Anyone know why 10000 went to South Shields though?

So if Sunderland got 73120,1 there should gave 73175 back to stockton depot now? I say should have some extra buses at stockton depot why stockton had 73058 on loan if stockton had enough buses why bring buses from Sunderland on loan then? If enough buses.at stockton depot?

(10 May 2026, 2:27 am)Glen1974 wrote So if Sunderland got 73120,1 there should gave 73175 back to stockton depot now? I say should have some extra buses at stockton depot why stockton had 73058 on loan if stockton had enough buses why bring buses from Sunderland on loan then? If enough buses.at stockton depot?

Stockton don’t require any additional buses, 73058 came down to assist following a 3rd party incident over night - it was only needed in the end due to the bus due to go on that board having a AVL issue that was fixable on the day!

There are usually 2 buses VOR a day for inspection and that’s it!

Thank for that mate

There is a genuine concern growing that due to the franchising Stagecoach could pull out of Newcastle completely if they don’t like the way the franchising will go. They already lost 2 depots in Manchester, a load of buses they probably lost quite a bit of money when that happened and I doubt they want to go through that again.

If they do pull out of Newcastle all the routes would be up for grabs, less profitable ones will just die off and 400+ drivers will be out of work. I really hope it doesn’t go that way but with the lack of investment in the fleet with some buses nearing 20 years old it’s something to think about.

(11 May 2026, 7:24 pm)TransitObserver wrote There is a genuine concern growing that due to the franchising Stagecoach could pull out of Newcastle completely if they don’t like the way the franchising will go. They already lost 2 depots in Manchester, a load of buses they probably lost quite a bit of money when that happened and I doubt they want to go through that again.

If they do pull out of Newcastle all the routes would be up for grabs, less profitable ones will just die off and 400+ drivers will be out of work. I really hope it doesn’t go that way but with the lack of investment in the fleet with some buses nearing 20 years old it’s something to think about.

Although Stagecoach aren't exactly thrilled about the prospect of franchising and grumble about it every chance they get it hasn't stopped them bidding and being successful in both Manchester and Liverpool, albeit perhaps not the depots they necessarily wanted - the chances of Stagecoach pulling out of Newcastle is incredibly slim. Go Ahead similarly have done alright out of Manchester and Liverpool. 

If anything it's Arriva who would be most likely to pull out/lose out - they pulled out of Manchester rather than fight to stay in the market there and they've not had much success yet in Merseyside losing both Wirral and St Helens!

(11 May 2026, 7:24 pm)TransitObserver wrote There is a genuine concern growing that due to the franchising Stagecoach could pull out of Newcastle completely if they don’t like the way the franchising will go. They already lost 2 depots in Manchester, a load of buses they probably lost quite a bit of money when that happened and I doubt they want to go through that again.

If they do pull out of Newcastle all the routes would be up for grabs, less profitable ones will just die off and 400+ drivers will be out of work. I really hope it doesn’t go that way but with the lack of investment in the fleet with some buses nearing 20 years old it’s something to think about.

Surely Stagecoach would go bust if they done that though considering their other main areas such as South Yorkshire, Wales, Glasgow, West Midlands (Coventry) and Liverpool are doing the same.

They won't have much left and I'm not sure the likes of Stagecoach East are going to be carrying them.

(11 May 2026, 7:58 pm)Storx wrote Surely Stagecoach would go bust if they done that though considering their other main areas such as South Yorkshire, Wales, Glasgow, West Midlands (Coventry) and Liverpool are doing the same.

They won't have much left and I'm not sure the likes of Stagecoach East are going to be carrying them.

Just wish they would invest instead of having old buses driving the streets of Newcastle. GNE are investing, Arriva too albeit with funding from the Government and NECA but Stagecoach are very quiet. There’s definitely something going on because I emailed the Mayor Kim McGuinness and got a response that any investment should be made by Stagecoach it’s not the NECA that are investing fully in the buses.

(11 May 2026, 8:10 pm)TransitObserver wrote Just wish they would invest instead of having old buses driving the streets of Newcastle. GNE are investing, Arriva too albeit with funding from the Government and NECA but Stagecoach are very quiet. There’s definitely something going on because I emailed the Mayor Kim McGuinness and got a response that any investment should be made by Stagecoach it’s not the NECA that are investing fully in the buses.

Aye it's a strange one, ngl I have a feeling it might be down to Stockport in a way more than anything else.

I don't know but I have a feeling that some of 10423-30/43-51, 10587-99 should have been up here replacing the E400's.

Obviously their stuck down there now though due to the depot farce. They did try their best to get some of them up with the hybrid swap but obviously only so far you can go.

Fleet wouldn't have been too bad if they were really.

(11 May 2026, 7:24 pm)TransitObserver wrote There is a genuine concern growing that due to the franchising Stagecoach could pull out of Newcastle completely if they don’t like the way the franchising will go. They already lost 2 depots in Manchester, a load of buses they probably lost quite a bit of money when that happened and I doubt they want to go through that again.

If they do pull out of Newcastle all the routes would be up for grabs, less profitable ones will just die off and 400+ drivers will be out of work. I really hope it doesn’t go that way but with the lack of investment in the fleet with some buses nearing 20 years old it’s something to think about.

Yes they lost depots in Manchester, but they gained some too (Queen's Road for example, plus Oldham)

I know say before is 83000 getting more seats ? but in for college service is that right?

(14 May 2026, 1:37 am)IGlen1974 wrote I know say before is 83000 getting more seats ? but in for college service is that right?

For the 5173 or 5179 whichever the Wynyard-Sedgefield School is

(14 May 2026, 6:42 am)tyresmoke wrote For the 5173 or 5179 whichever the Wynyard-Sedgefield School is

5197

27823 back at Sunderland anyone know what’s came to Slatyford in return?

(15 May 2026, 2:26 pm)Busesinnewcastle wrote 27823 back at Sunderland anyone know what’s came to Slatyford in return?

Nothing I believe. 27823 was a good bus, but should never have gone to Slatyford wasn’t allowed in city centre so spent majority of its time on the 6/7. 19386 still at Sunderland as can’t go into city centre.

36470, 36476 and 27731 still being used on 6/7 for the same reason. 
27725 went back to Walkergate having had the CAZ issue resolved. 27726 also gone back but hasn’t been out in a while so not sure what’s up with that.

(15 May 2026, 3:16 pm)TransitObserver wrote Nothing I believe. 27823 was a good bus, but should never have gone to Slatyford wasn’t allowed in city centre so spent majority of its time on the 6/7. 19386 still at Sunderland as can’t go into city centre.

36470, 36476 and 27731 still being used on 6/7 for the same reason. 
27725 went back to Walkergate having had the CAZ issue resolved. 27726 also gone back but hasn’t been out in a while so not sure what’s up with that.

73121 is at Slatyford

A question why did say 80000 was going staying at stockton depot now had good 80295 has come i don't get i now there getting another U11dd double decker is it true?

(11 May 2026, 7:24 pm)TransitObserver wrote There is a genuine concern growing that due to the franchising Stagecoach could pull out of Newcastle completely if they don’t like the way the franchising will go. They already lost 2 depots in Manchester, a load of buses they probably lost quite a bit of money when that happened and I doubt they want to go through that again.

If they do pull out of Newcastle all the routes would be up for grabs, less profitable ones will just die off and 400+ drivers will be out of work. I really hope it doesn’t go that way but with the lack of investment in the fleet with some buses nearing 20 years old it’s something to think about.

im seeing daily failures in some of the MMCs and i think if they are waiting 2 years to await results that's just asking for a trouble, realistically another 15 single decks and maybe 25 double decks would be a significant upgrade on the busier routes, 

surely its not a case of if the franchise doesn't go there way they lose the buses? they could just swap them with older cumbria ones if they wanted to show a middle finger

So over the past couple of months pay negotiations have been ongoing at slatyford and Walkergate depots with the first deal 7% over 2 years being rejected.

Thursday 14th May there was another pay deal vote for 4.06% from 7th June 2026 meaning the hourly rate would go from £15.76 to £16.40 however no backdated pay (around £100) as the anniversary was April 2026 and the result of the vote was 51.4% reject 48.6% accept. The managing director has since said there is no further offer to be made by the company.

This now means on 4th June 2026 the drivers at both depots will be voting on industrial action up to and including strike action. It’s like we’re just going around in a circle. But that most recent deal in my opinion should have been accepted. There are way too many greedy people in the job now.

Is it greed, or is it wanting to be paid their worth? Are you a driver yourself? Perhaps it's concern about the fluctuating economy and wanting to cover all bases in case inflation skyrockets again.

(16 May 2026, 10:41 am)F114TML wrote Is it greed, or is it wanting to be paid their worth? Are you a driver yourself? Perhaps it's concern about the fluctuating economy and wanting to cover all bases in case inflation skyrockets again.

The deal itself is good £16.40 is a hell of a lot higher than the other companies up here. The greed is for chasing £100 if it was more I’d understand and yes I am a driver. This current one was a 1 year deal and we’d negotiate again in April 2027 so 4.06% was good it’s just people want that £100 which in my opinion is not worth chasing but others have their own opinion and ruin it for the 48.6% that voted to accept. See what happens with strike vote then.

I think for some it's a fear of if drivers start to accept offers without backpay, they'll stop offering it full stop.

(16 May 2026, 1:46 pm)F114TML wrote I think for some it's a fear of if drivers start to accept offers without backpay, they'll stop offering it full stop.

True but if they offer pay deals for the anniversary then there’d be no need for back pay. The only reason we (the ones that rejected) want back pay this time is because we’re now 2 months over. If they had offered the 4.06% in April my guess would be it would have been accepted instantly no issues. See if Stagecoach let us strike again. Hopefully they stop it from happening because I don’t want to strike, I stayed at home last time I wanted no part of it.

I dont think it is greed to chase £100, not in todays climate, if it is money someone feels like they're entitled to, especially for a service they provide, it's knowing your worth, £100 can be the difference in rent being paid, or rent not being paid, having a home and being homeless

(16 May 2026, 4:45 pm)V514DFT wrote I dont think it is greed to chase £100, not in todays climate, if it is money someone feels like they're entitled to, especially for a service they provide, it's knowing your worth, £100 can be the difference in rent being paid, or rent not being paid, having a home and being homeless

But it won’t be £100, it’ll have tax and NI on it. 

It’s lunacy to reject that sort of offer in the current climate.

Anyone know why 11774 is at Slatyford?

(16 May 2026, 9:10 pm)Busesinnewcastle wrote Anyone know why 11774 is at Slatyford?

Potentially a transfer from Stagecoach Bluebird.

(16 May 2026, 10:01 pm)Malarkey wrote Potentially a transfer from Stagecoach Bluebird.

What’s Stagecoach blue bird?

(16 May 2026, 10:03 pm)Busesinnewcastle wrote What’s Stagecoach blue bird?

Stagecoach Bluebird is a Scottish bus company which operates bus services in the areas of Aberdeen, Aberdeenshire and Moray. It is a subsidiary of the Stagecoach Group.

Also known as Stagecoach North Scotland in it's current guise as a subsidiary of Stagecoach.