(22 Feb 2026, 10:16 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote To be fair, perhaps they do! But it's disappointing expecting a GCT service just for it go back to Stagecoach. More importantly, it's not good value for taxpayers with the higher cost of paying Stagecoach to run it compared to GCT.To be honest, bus services are a good and valid use of tax payers money so I don't think anyone would be really bothered about it as long as the service is reliable, which the 32 usually is under Stagecoach. GCT have a habit of going the wrong way randomly at times and just improvising. A few year back when the 19 route changed quite significantly in the Shields area, we pulled up to the Ferry and the driver asked passengers if they knew the new route 'cause he hadn't been shown it despite asking the depot. They just give him spoken directions which is very easy to forget if you're a visual learner. And luck was on the drivers side that day too because I was the only person who knew the new route.
Especially ridiculous 2 years running.
Strange there was already rumour of Stagecoach getting EVs for the 32/32A, so it was predicted they would keep it and presumably expected it would be awarded to GCT and given back. At least positive to see GCT have retained the 35 which has largely been operated well this year by GCT.
RE: Stagecoach North East Latest News