(12 Oct 2025, 6:31 pm)Liam Hall wrote https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/go-north-e...tric-buses


"The funding will add 11 more battery-electric vehicles by 2026, bringing the total number to 47. These additional buses will cover services 58 and X66, operating from its Gateshead Riverside depot alongside 18 electric vehicles already being used on Voltra services 53, 54, and the Q3."

I wonder how long the current E12s will last on the Q3, or at least the full batch of them. While waiting at Regent Centre yesterday afternoon for a service into town, a Q3 went past in each direction - the combined load was 1 person. 

Equally, most mornings while waiting for my bus to work I see a southbound Q3X and northbound Q3 - I've never seen more than 5 people on either. For comparison the Arriva 43/44/45 going through towards town at the same time carry at least 30, and the northbound services carry double digits. 

No idea how GNE can be making any money on the northern end of the Q3 route if I'm honest - even the X46 carries more folk. Definitely not the sort of service which justifies 3 year old electric saloons on a 20 minute frequency.