Setting the 18A aside, the 18 tends to get used most through Roker, and Thorney/Grindon to/from Aldi at Pennywell. It's awkward to know what to do with it as it's not often you have absolutely no one on. It also gives many estates a direct bus to the hospital.

The reason I suggested it for Yutongs is because I've heard when GNE updated fleets on their routes, they saw an uptick in passengers. People would get on the 18 because it's an electric.