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Electric Buses/new orders

RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(26 Dec 2025, 9:15 am)Kuyoyo wrote Been stated the 56 is getting the former X1 Streetdecks - there's mentions on Facebook from Consett staff that 8 of the new ones are heading there.

8 to Consett is intriguing!

My theory is that these will end up on the X70 group displacing 8 MMC's to Riverside for the X21, while also providing a greater pool of vehicles for the X10. Remaining E400MMC's at Consett stay on the X30 group, and light green Streetdecks are split between those needed for the X1 and the remaining 5 back to Consett for the X45. 

If 8 new buses go to Consett and a full 14 went to Washington to give 2 spares for the X1, then the three left at Riverside might be retained as spares needed for 21/X21 rather than 4 going on the X10.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(26 Dec 2025, 11:32 am)peter wrote 8 to Consett is intriguing!

My theory is that these will end up on the X70 group displacing 8 MMC's to Riverside for the X21, while also providing a greater pool of vehicles for the X10. Remaining E400MMC's at Consett stay on the X30 group, and light green Streetdecks are split between those needed for the X1 and the remaining 5 back to Consett for the X45. 

If 8 new buses go to Consett and a full 14 went to Washington to give 2 spares for the X1, then the three left at Riverside might be retained as spares needed for 21/X21 rather than 4 going on the X10.
Unless they're low height for the X71 or GNE are planning interworking / route changes, there's absolutely no way Consett are getting any unless it was for the 47 or X45.

Besides, 4x going on the X10 sounds way more plausible meaning that Consett would have all 20x E400MMC based there - which is enough for the X30s/X70s (PVR 12) and the X45 (PVR 5) as well as 3x spares.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
Having found said comments on Facebook, I'm incorrect - Consett are apparently due 6, 6378 to 6383. Just enough for the X45 I believe
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
Least Deptford are getting something... shame they aren't brand new.............



Can anyone share the full list of fleet movements once all the new buses enter service?
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(26 Dec 2025, 9:15 am)Kuyoyo wrote Been stated the 56 is getting the former X1 Streetdecks - there's mentions on Facebook from Consett staff that 8 of the new ones are heading there
Yes , Streetdecks are to be rebranded to City Riders for Sunderland Depot
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(26 Dec 2025, 12:04 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Having found said comments on Facebook, I'm incorrect - Consett are apparently due 6, 6378 to 6383. Just enough for the X45 I believe
As much as I'm not doubting this information, surely GNE won't want a new fleet type spread across three depots?

Also it wouldn't make much 'utilisation' sense either as unless they were used on the Sunday 47, 16/16A or X15 workings (due to the Sunday Consett interworking patterns) - they'd be parked up despite being the newest and most capable vehicles in the fleet.

Surely it would make sense to have all the E400MMC together at Consett in a similar way that Arriva had the DB300s and Cityzens based at one depot in Blyth for the most part.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(26 Dec 2025, 12:04 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Having found said comments on Facebook, I'm incorrect - Consett are apparently due 6, 6378 to 6383. Just enough for the X45 I believe

Must admit I was thinking that didn't seem right when you posted it as if there's 14 or whatever it is for the X1 then that's going to only leave 3 for Riverside. 

Btw is there enough Streetdecks at Washington for Sunderland without going into the X21 allocation? It's 14 the 56 isn't it and there's only 13 at Washington? 

Who knows tbh.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(26 Dec 2025, 1:31 pm)Storx wrote Must admit I was thinking that didn't seem right when you posted it as if there's 14 or whatever it is for the X1 then that's going to only leave 3 for Riverside. 

Btw is there enough Streetdecks at Washington for Sunderland without going into the X21 allocation? It's 14 the 56 isn't it and there's only 13 at Washington? 

Who knows tbh.

Yes it is 13 Streetdecks at Washington, if you added in 6363 then you'd have 14 making up the PVR of the 56.

Would be ideal to do a fleet swap of 6308-14 / 6336/7 going to Oxford Bus Company and in return we get the x9 NK20 Plate Streetdecks that were intended to come here in the first place, you've then got a pool of 16 NK20/70 Streetdeck that could be used to upgrade another service.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(26 Dec 2025, 5:59 pm)Malarkey wrote Yes it is 13 Streetdecks at Washington, if you added in 6363 then you'd have 14 making up the PVR of the 56.

Would be ideal to do a fleet swap of 6308-14 / 6336/7 going to Oxford Bus Company and in return we get the x9 NK20 Plate Streetdecks that were intended to come here in the first place, you've then got a pool of 16 NK20/70 Streetdeck that could be used to upgrade another service.

Aye can't disagree with the swap with Thames Travel but unsure they'd be too keen as they don't have a big fleet of B5's either. Personally I'd just withdraw them from the Streetlites displaced from Percy Main and send them to Hull. 

Btw can't really take 6363 as that won't leave enough buses for the X21 and if 6 are going to Consett there's only 5 heading to Riverside now so would need something there.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
My predictions with the X45 taken into account. I can't work out the X20/65 or B5TLs so leaving them out of any working outs.

New vehicles (not including 58 or X66)
- 18x Electroliners - Riverside - 21

- 6x Cummins Ultroliners - Consett
* X45 - 5x
* Spare - 1x

- 6x Cummins Ultroliners - Riverside
* X10 - 4x
* Spare (or X10 increased half hourly to Peterlee with 6377 as spare) - 2x

- 13x Cummins Ultroliners - Washington
* X1 - 12x
* Spare - 1x

Cascades

E400MMC
- 6336-55 - Consett
* X30/X31/X32 - 5x
* X70/X71/X73 (X72) - 7x
* X5/X15 - 4x
* Spare - 4x

StreetDeck
- 6301-07, 6315-33, 6356-61 - Percy Main
* 307/309 - 14x
* 301 - 14x
* Spare - 4x

- 6362-76 - Deptford
* 56 - 14x
* Spare - 1x

B9TL
- 6086-99 - Consett
* 16/16A - 8x
* 47 - 6x

- 6100-09 - Washington
* 14/50 - 9x
* Spare - 1x

- 6110-17 - Riverside
* X21 - 8x

- 6043-48 - TBD?? - Various spare roles including maybe at Washington?
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
Wouldn't it be wise or strategically better in the financial long term to give Percy Main the new buses after all if they have maintained the Coast and cobalt buses and they are still decent buses at least 7 years later cascading them would be a better solution as oppose to the angel buses which are dire or the Tyne tees express?
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(27 Dec 2025, 3:31 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Wouldn't it  be wise or strategically better in the financial long term to give Percy Main the new buses after all if they have maintained the Coast and cobalt buses and they are still decent  buses at least 7 years later cascading them would be a better solution as oppose to the angel buses which are dire  or the Tyne tees express?

I would guess they’ll go where they’ll get the best commercial return.

The Angels were fine until they moved to Riverside and maybe now they’ve had time on this type, riverside might become more reliable and skilled
Wistfully stuck in the 90s
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(27 Dec 2025, 3:31 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Wouldn't it  be wise or strategically better in the financial long term to give Percy Main the new buses after all if they have maintained the Coast and cobalt buses and they are still decent  buses at least 7 years later cascading them would be a better solution as oppose to the angel buses which are dire  or the Tyne tees express?

EV would only happen as part of franchising (or the Coast Road agreement - which is unlikely now) and Cummins Ultroliners would be way overkill for the 307/309 and not be warranted for a route such as the 301 given it's largely a secondary service between Whitley Bay and Newcastle.

I can't see deckers lasting on the 307/309 long term or if so, the routes staying in their current format - especially if Arriva go back to full pre-covid service on the 306/308
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
Most of the photos I've saw of the new vehicles, the post's have the registrations starting MA75, I would have expected them to be registered in the north east and have N*75 registrations like usual new vehicle arrivals, wonder what the reason is for this
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(27 Dec 2025, 6:46 pm)Malarkey wrote A better look at the new Angel21 Electroliners.

6815 - MA75 CPX

Branding a bit meh, strange there’s no mention of actually serving the Angel, Low Fell or Birtley…its main source of income
Wistfully stuck in the 90s
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(27 Dec 2025, 5:44 pm)N1cholas wrote Most of the photos I've saw of the new vehicles, the post's have the registrations starting MA75, I would have expected them to be registered in the north east and have N*75 registrations like usual new vehicle arrivals, wonder what the reason is for this

Wrightbus have registered them before delivery.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(27 Dec 2025, 6:46 pm)Malarkey wrote A better look at the new Angel21 Electroliners.

6815 - MA75 CPX

Looks slightly better than the Aquafresh branded ones, but the Angel being at a different angle to all of the front diagonal lines makes everything look off. Just very drab - and increasingly raises the question of why they're bothering?
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(27 Dec 2025, 8:06 pm)alexanderdennis0312933 wrote Wrightbus have registered them before delivery.

And branded there too by the looks of it - probably in the contract they signed with Go Ahead - all branded up and registered before delivery
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(27 Dec 2025, 6:46 pm)Malarkey wrote A better look at the new Angel21 Electroliners.

6815 - MA75 CPX

Can see where the inspiration came from for this design. Do wonder what Transdev think
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(27 Dec 2025, 7:39 pm)Ambassador wrote Branding a bit meh, strange there’s no mention of actually serving the Angel, Low Fell or Birtley…its main source of income

The ironic part being, ignoring Brandon, anyone wanting to go between those destinations should be using the X21, unless they have way too much spare time.

Also whoever is designing this stuff doesn't have a clue what they're doing imo. Contrast seems to be something which goes a miss. Like is it really complicated that this doesn't make sense... But the colours used are basically doing it. That electric bit, is unreadable, in a photo - never mind travelling by at speed. Same with the 21.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(26 Dec 2025, 12:04 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Having found said comments on Facebook, I'm incorrect - Consett are apparently due 6, 6378 to 6383. Just enough for the X45 I believe

Btw, this actually been confirmed?

The internal press release which got leaked (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...9084371025&set=p.10162519084371025&type=3) seems to suggest it's only Washington and Riverside which are getting the new buses.

Maybe some wires have been crossed somewhere and it's actually the 6 X21 Streetdeck's which are going instead? With the other 2 making up the 56 PVR at Deptford?
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(28 Dec 2025, 10:27 am)Storx wrote Btw, this actually been confirmed?

The internal press release which got leaked (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...9084371025&set=p.10162519084371025&type=3) seems to suggest it's only Washington and Riverside which are getting the new buses.

Maybe some wires have been crossed somewhere and it's actually the 6 X21 Streetdeck's which are going instead? With the other 2 making up the 56 PVR at Deptford?

That probably makes sense now! Probably not a bad move to be honest as they'll no doubt be parked up on Sundays which should conserve them.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(28 Dec 2025, 10:27 am)Storx wrote Btw, this actually been confirmed?

The internal press release which got leaked (https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=...9084371025&set=p.10162519084371025&type=3) seems to suggest it's only Washington and Riverside which are getting the new buses.

Maybe some wires have been crossed somewhere and it's actually the 6 X21 Streetdeck's which are going instead? With the other 2 making up the 56 PVR at Deptford?

A Consett-based driver has mentioned it in the comments on a Facebook Post of a photo of the new ones parked up in Riverside - stating that it's been confirmed on GNE's Blink, even mentioning the fleet numbers I've previously stated.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(28 Dec 2025, 12:48 pm)Kuyoyo wrote A Consett-based driver has mentioned it in the comments on a Facebook Post of a photo of the new ones parked up in Riverside - stating that it's been confirmed on GNE's Blink, even mentioning the fleet numbers I've previously stated.

I can't see them going to Consett personally. 

Riverside has some serious shortcomings which need addressed:

- 6352-55 nearing their spell on 'demanding' work with unsuitable vehicles standing in - they need put onto something less intense to conserve them.

- X21 been waiting nearly 10 year for a suitable vehicle allocation since the change from Pronto.

If GNE can suitably rotate these between the two routes, they'll get around 7 years of good service. Throw in some possible future investment for the 10/10A/10B/12, Riverside will have a pretty solid decker fleet covering their primary decker services.

Yes it would be nice to see 'some' new buses at Consett. But whatever ends up on the X45 (presumably 6356-61) will only see service 6 days per week due to the Sunday interworkings. The Enviros at Consett are generally ok and will be better with suitable spare cover. With 6352-55 thrown in, it will afford an upgrade to the X5/X15 and leave 4 spares in addition to the spare StreetDeck.

Presumably, the soon to be ex-CityRider B9TLs will be a welcome upgrade on the 16/16A and 47.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
Looking forward to these new vehicles entering service, and hopefully all cascades going into Corporate livery.

Can someone summarise in two lists please, the route brands being dropped as a result, definite, and then potential/uncomfirmed.

I take it the route brands definitely being dropped are:
- Xlines (X1 variation)
- SuperShuttle X66
- East Gateshead Rider 58
- and is CityRider 56 being dropped too or will the Streetdecks be painted orange? (Surely not?)
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(28 Dec 2025, 8:41 pm)ne14ne1 wrote Looking forward to these new vehicles entering service, and hopefully all cascades going into Corporate livery.

Can someone summarise in two lists please, the route brands being dropped as a result, definite, and then potential/uncomfirmed.

I take it the route brands definitely being dropped are:
- Xlines (X1 variation)
- SuperShuttle X66
- East Gateshead Rider 58
- and is CityRider 56 being dropped too or will the Streetdecks be painted orange? (Surely not?)

Think someone said the Streetdecks were getting the CityRider brand.
Ooo Friend, Bus Friend.
RE: Electric Buses/new orders
(23 Dec 2025, 3:04 pm)citaro5284 wrote Just thinking, do electric buses need to look different to other vehicles in the fleet nowadays - the ultimate goal is to be for 100% electric, and whilst I appreciate this might be a long way off for some folk, if you take First York, all of their vehicles are just in standard purple and grey, and I have seen pictures of Yutongs and ADL's from Stagecoach in their new dark blue colours - no difference to diesel vehicles in the fleet.

I think when they first started, it was a bit of a marketing gimmick, but I dont think it is needed now.

An interesting thought.  It reminds me of a piece I read a few years ago, commenting that the industry trumpeted things as innovative that were seen as expected in other sectors.  I can't remember the author now, but I think they used contactless payment as their argument.