I've put together some average fleet ages for each depot in the North East (as attached). It isn't 100% accurate as it's based on year rather than month, and I've not included vehicles which are marked as forming part of the reserve fleet at that depot on our fleet lists.

I think this year's investment will take into consideration that Quality Contracts could come into fruition in Tyne & Wear, meaning that most (if not all?) of Stagecoach's routes will form part of the scheme. Whilst I would love to see more investment in the Busways division (namely Sunderland), I'm doubtful unfortunately.

As Stagecoach in Sunderland received investment two years in a row which drastically reduced the fleet age, I think Stockton will be this year's candidate again:

Stockton Depot

• Services 10/11: 5x ADL Enviro300 - PVR 5
  
• Service 13: 6x ADL Enviro300 - PVR 5
  
• Services 14/34: 7x ADL Enviro300 - PVR 6
  
• Services 35/58: 4x ADL Enviro300 - PVR 4
  
• Services 59/61: 6x ADL Enviro300 - PVR 6

This adds up to a total of 28 ADL Enviro300s, replacing all 28 MAN ALX300s at Stockton.  12x MAN ALX300 would be withdrawn directly (22196 - 22198, 22202/04/10/11, 22469/71/75 and 22671/74), while the remaining 16 would be spread across the fleet as follows:

• 22011/12 replace 22214/15 at Sunderland (Reserve).
  
• 22013/14 replace 22462 and 22735 at Walkergate (Reserve).
  
• 22015/16 replace 22480 and 22675 at Slatyford.
  
• 22017 replaces 22734 at South Shields (Reserve).
  
• 22018/19 replace 22455 and 22667 at Hartlepool (Reserve).
  
• 22020/61-66 replace 22206, 22451/52/54/56/66, 22668 and 22733

All non-DDA compliant MAN ALX300s would be withdrawn as a result.


I do also think that Stagecoach ought to dispose of the Olympians/Tridents at Stockton too, as well as the Open Top Olympians on CitySightseeing duties. Perhaps something like the following:

Slatyford Depot

• Services 62/63: 16x ADL Enviro400(Hybrid?) - PVR 14

This would allow 16 ADL Enviro400s to be replaced: 8x ADL Enviro400s (19141-48) would replace all Olympians/Tridents, 1x ADL Enviro400 (19149) would act as an additional spare vehicle at South Shields for the X34, and 5x ADL Enviro400s (19150-54) would replace the Open Tops. Still two spare - but perhaps services 10/11 and X87/X88 could benefit from two extra spares, and this would allow two DDA-compliant MAN ALX300s to move around to replace something else in the fleet.