(22 Jul 2013, 8:38 pm)Daniel wrote

(22 Jul 2013, 8:35 pm)aureolin wrote Maybe the allocation is from a maintenance perspective? I understand the other 4 Olympians in the North East are all at Slatyford? 14669, 14670, 14673, and 14674?

Possibly, but I can understand why they're all at Slaytford - they're for NewcastleGateshead CitySightseeing. You wouldn't have one of those based at Sunderland or Shields because its service is in Newcastle/Gateshead.
If not for maintenance purposes, why else would you have a vehicle that is used in service in South Shields based at Newcastle?

All of the City Sightseeing services have been operated out of Slatyford since Stagecoach took over the franchise in 2007 (not sure before that). I imagine more than a maintenance perspective, it needs to be based at Slatyford as it will use a Slatyford driver who is used to driving the type - must be years since any of the Shields drivers have had a Ley Oly to drive. South Tyneside Council are probably paying enough for the service that Stagecoach don't need to worry about the running costs.