RE: Stagecoach North East: Latest News & Discussion - April 2015
Newcastle depots make far the biggest profits of the North East division. One of those depots hasn't had a single new bus since early 2009 with many of it's core routes suffering from regular overcrowding with buses that were purchased 12 years ago at a time when the North East refused to even contemplate procuring double deck vehicles (an outlook all three main operators had with all three changing their minds a few years later). Kuyoyo, if you are referring to QCS proposals then sorry, they can't be blamed. Sunderland has had it's fleet invested in very heavily in the last couple of years. South Shields is about to have 19 new buses bequeathed. All are subject to the same proposals. And a significant upgrade in the Newcastle depots would allow midlife E400s to upgrade routes elsewhere that wouldn't necessarily justify new double decks but would nevetheless provide significant capacity upgrades (I'm thinking of the E services and those Teesside routes that a few forum members periodically suggest absolutely need deckers). As it is, I know the city council are very seriously considering imposing air quality minimum standards in the City centre. Aging Euro 3 and even Euro 4 buses wouldn't pass.