(26 May 2025, 8:09 am)Kuyoyo wrote Incorrect - another week until switch-on, as confirmed to many by the depot's Assistant Operations Manager during the Teesside Park launch on Saturday.

One of the drivers told me today they still not ready so the long enviros and man’s might be getting another month or 2 yet.  Apparently they are still getting the chargers sorted and even then you would think it will be common sense to keep some diesels in a reserve capacity.

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(30 May 2025, 6:40 pm)Youngymmv wrote Very optimistic given that franchising hasn’t even been confirmed & be at least 2027 if it is. At least 4 of the 64 plate e300’s are destined for South Shields to see off the pointer darts still in service. Hartlepool will likely receive displaced e200s from across the region when the electrics have seen off the e300s to there respective depots

yes as usual Hartlepool gets the knackered buses from elsewhere, instead of them actually investing in the depot.

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(26 May 2025, 8:09 am)Kuyoyo wrote Incorrect - another week until switch-on, as confirmed to many by the depot's Assistant Operations Manager during the Teesside Park launch on Saturday.

One of the drivers told me today they still not ready so the long enviros and man’s might be getting another month or 2 yet.  Apparently they are still getting the chargers sorted and even then you would think it will be common sense to keep some diesels in a reserve capacity.

Aren't Hartlepool (and South Shields) low cost depots because they simply don't make much money? Sure it was mentioned years ago hence the E1/E2/E6 being moved to Sunderland as they were 'too good' to be there.

Would explain the lack of investment, at both. The 23/24/36 are the money makers in Hartlepool imo and all 3 quite regularly get investment, admit the 22/23/24 have been awhile now but that's the same for all Arriva routes.

(29 May 2025, 10:24 pm)col87 wrote The plan was to send a majority of the fleet to Hartlepool to help with capacity and get rid of the less reliable and older buses in the fleet but from what a driver told they will be going to Slatyford with some of there buses going to Hartlepool which doesn’t really help much as your replacing knackered buses with more knackered buses. Saying that I don’t think the managers have much of a clue most of the time as things seem to constantly be getting changed.

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I would personally hold fire on all movements though and concentrate on Hartlepool since Stagecoach know for sure they will continue to have the depot and services there in the long term which can not be said with any certainty for South Shields or the Two Newcastle depots or Sunderland. Rebuild the pits and invest in Hartlepool with full size buses and invest in the network and you could make a nice profit especially as since Arriva don’t seem interested they are gaps in the market especially to areas like Dalton Park and likes of Easington Village and Hordon

Stagecoach is a business and will certainly have long term plans. Hartlepool doesn't need single deck buses, midi buses are just fine. They run local town routes, which are going to get busy at peak times but that's part of the course. Why rebuild a depot to replace 10-15 year old buses with slightly bigger (4 extra seats if that) 10-15 year old buses? 

Hartlepool won't get investment until it's needed, which will likely be electric vehicles when the 63/15 E200 darts need replacing. 

As mentioned, the 36 serves a fair bit of Hartlepool and will soon run brand new fully electric buses with air con and high back leather seating - it's not like the town is getting nothing.

(29 May 2025, 10:24 pm)col87 wrote The plan was to send a majority of the fleet to Hartlepool to help with capacity and get rid of the less reliable and older buses in the fleet but from what a driver told they will be going to Slatyford with some of there buses going to Hartlepool which doesn’t really help much as your replacing knackered buses with more knackered buses. Saying that I don’t think the managers have much of a clue most of the time as things seem to constantly be getting changed

Stocktons buses can’t go to Slatyford we literally had to give them back the 271**’s and 272**’s due to them being Euro 5 and swapped them with the 262**’s.

(31 May 2025, 5:03 pm)benji123 wrote Stagecoach is a business and will certainly have long term plans. Hartlepool doesn't need single deck buses, midi buses are just fine. They run local town routes, which are going to get busy at peak times but that's part of the course. Why rebuild a depot to replace 10-15 year old buses with slightly bigger (4 extra seats if that) 10-15 year old buses? 

Hartlepool won't get investment until it's needed, which will likely be electric vehicles when the 63/15 E200 darts need replacing. 

As mentioned, the 36 serves a fair bit of Hartlepool and will soon run brand new fully electric buses with air con and high back leather seating - it's not like the town is getting nothing.

Actually Hartlepool does need better full sizes along with some smaller buses.  The 1 6/7 can all get full at various times of the day, i know this because I regularly see it happening and use them services.  Some smaller could be handy for some but not all areas of the town.  You could actually use the same excuse to downgrade Stockton considering it’s mostly town services why do they need full size buses ?  
Why rebuild the depot you ask because if you did and made the pits your making it better for the future, full size buses could actually be used not just on town services but a few more out of town services as well.  The bus users in Hartlepool are sick of getting knackered midi buses and want to see better services.

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(31 May 2025, 5:03 pm)benji123 wrote Stagecoach is a business and will certainly have long term plans. Hartlepool doesn't need single deck buses, midi buses are just fine. They run local town routes, which are going to get busy at peak times but that's part of the course. Why rebuild a depot to replace 10-15 year old buses with slightly bigger (4 extra seats if that) 10-15 year old buses? 

Hartlepool won't get investment until it's needed, which will likely be electric vehicles when the 63/15 E200 darts need replacing. 

As mentioned, the 36 serves a fair bit of Hartlepool and will soon run brand new fully electric buses with air con and high back leather seating - it's not like the town is getting nothing.

Actually Hartlepool does need better full sizes along with some smaller buses.  The 1 6/7 can all get full at various times of the day, i know this because I regularly see it happening and use them services.  Some smaller could be handy for some but not all areas of the town.  You could actually use the same excuse to downgrade Stockton considering it’s mostly town services why do they need full size buses ?  
Why rebuild the depot you ask because if you did and made the pits your making it better for the future, full size buses could actually be used not just on town services but a few more out of town services as well.  The bus users in Hartlepool are sick of getting knackered midi buses and want to see better services.

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(31 May 2025, 7:53 pm)ReDemPTiion wrote Stocktons buses can’t go to Slatyford we literally had to give them back the 271**’s and 272**’s due to them being Euro 5 and swapped them with the 262**’s.

Was going by what a driver said I would actually prefer if they did come to Hartlepool myself.

(01 Jun 2025, 4:50 pm)col87 wrote Actually Hartlepool does need better full sizes along with some smaller buses.  The 1 6/7 can all get full at various times of the day, i know this because I regularly see it happening and use them services.  Some smaller could be handy for some but not all areas of the town.  You could actually use the same excuse to downgrade Stockton considering it’s mostly town services why do they need full size buses ?  
Why rebuild the depot you ask because if you did and made the pits your making it better for the future, full size buses could actually be used not just on town services but a few more out of town services as well.  The bus users in Hartlepool are sick of getting knackered midi buses and want to see better services.

Out of town services do not exist though, and they won't. 

The whole point of a bus is to get full at various points of the day, I bet the 1, 6 and 7 run empty at times too. And again, all this money for what buses that can carry a few extra people? You're missing the point, the investment will come in the years to come. For now, they decided to focus on Stockton and Sunderland and in the future Slatyford. A refit of the depot will come in the form of electric buses and the chargers. 

Stockton has midi buses, the new E12s have less seats than the E300s, but as long as the bus turns up it's already done its job. 

95% of passengers just want a bus that turns up, people are not having conversations on the bus because a 2009 E200 turned up rather than at 2015 E200...

I’d like to share some observations and suggestions regarding local and regional bus services in the Hartlepool area.
Hartlepool currently operates the 59 service to Durham, which functions as an out-of-town route. In contrast, the No. 1 service serves as a more direct intercity connection, particularly compared to the 36. The 36 passes through a number of areas including Teesside Park, Stockton, Norton, Billingham, and Greatham before reaching the upper parts of town such as Owton Manor Lane and Catcote Road. Due to its frequent stops, the 36 operates more as a regional, all-stops service, which often leads to overcrowding.
The No. 1 route experiences higher strain because passengers prefer a quicker, more direct service over one with numerous detours. To alleviate this, consideration could be given to increasing the frequency or vehicle size on this route, particularly during peak hours.
Similarly, the 59 to Durham shows strong potential and could benefit from larger buses and more regular service. This route is a revenue opportunity for the Hartlepool depot, especially when compared to Stockton's 6 to Darlington, which follows a more circuitous path and may be less efficient.
To manage congestion and improve passenger experience—especially during the summer months—it may be worth considering a small reserve fleet of double-decker buses (5–6 units) to be deployed on high-demand services. Overcrowding leads to discomfort and potential loss of ridership, so proactive planning is essential.
Additionally, Hartlepool could see financial and service-level benefits by exploring new or reinstated routes, such as:

• A modern replacement for the former GNE X6 service.
  
• Revived services similar to the old X35/X55 routes, potentially serving Sunderland and Doxford Park.
  

When strategically planned, bus routes—like train services—can be financially sustainable and even profitable. Smart investment and planning can drive growth, meet passenger demand more effectively, and enhance regional connectivity.
Thank you for considering these points. I’d be happy to discuss these ideas further.

(01 Jun 2025, 5:10 pm)benji123 wrote Out of town services do not exist though, and they won't. 

The whole point of a bus is to get full at various points of the day, I bet the 1, 6 and 7 run empty at times too. And again, all this money for what buses that can carry a few extra people? You're missing the point, the investment will come in the years to come. For now, they decided to focus on Stockton and Sunderland and in the future Slatyford. A refit of the depot will come in the form of electric buses and the chargers. 

Stockton has midi buses, the new E12s have less seats than the E300s, but as long as the bus turns up it's already done its job. 

95% of passengers just want a bus that turns up, people are not having conversations on the bus because a 2009 E200 turned up rather than at 2015 E200...

Right well from your posts you certainly don’t live or use the services in Hartlepool where as I do and I am a member of a local transport forum I know that people are definitely not happy  about the age of the buses, about overcrowding, about areas without a service and about the bus network in general so please don’t pretend you know what passengers want.  It’s no good the bus turning up if it’s full and no one can get due to how busy it is, so yes buses with a few extra seats as you put would be very nice.  Hartlepool do actually have 3 out of town services in the 1, 59 and UCG all could probably do with bigger buses.  
Every service has a journey or 2 where it don’t carry many passengers, that includes Newcastle where they have Deckers on some routes going round empty.  
You’re right in that the Yutongs  have less seats and I have already posted about that as they are going to have capacity issues on busier services.  
All Stagecoach really have to do in Hartlepool is extend the pits, even being a small depot they is plenty of space to do that. Bigger buses means more passengers, more out of town services either commercial or contract means opening up places and getting more profit it’s not difficult to understand.

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(01 Jun 2025, 5:10 pm)benji123 wrote Out of town services do not exist though, and they won't. 

The whole point of a bus is to get full at various points of the day, I bet the 1, 6 and 7 run empty at times too. And again, all this money for what buses that can carry a few extra people? You're missing the point, the investment will come in the years to come. For now, they decided to focus on Stockton and Sunderland and in the future Slatyford. A refit of the depot will come in the form of electric buses and the chargers. 

Stockton has midi buses, the new E12s have less seats than the E300s, but as long as the bus turns up it's already done its job. 

95% of passengers just want a bus that turns up, people are not having conversations on the bus because a 2009 E200 turned up rather than at 2015 E200...

Right well from your posts you certainly don’t live or use the services in Hartlepool where as I do and I am a member of a local transport forum I know that people are definitely not happy  about the age of the buses, about overcrowding, about areas without a service and about the bus network in general so please don’t pretend you know what passengers want.  It’s no good the bus turning up if it’s full and no one can get due to how busy it is, so yes buses with a few extra seats as you put would be very nice.  Hartlepool do actually have 3 out of town services in the 1, 59 and UCG all could probably do with bigger buses.  
Every service has a journey or 2 where it don’t carry many passengers, that includes Newcastle where they have Deckers on some routes going round empty.  
You’re right in that the Yutongs  have less seats and I have already posted about that as they are going to have capacity issues on busier services.  
All Stagecoach really have to do in Hartlepool is extend the pits, even being a small depot they is plenty of space to do that. Bigger buses means more passengers, more out of town services either commercial or contract means opening up places and getting more profit it’s not difficult to understand.

(02 Jun 2025, 8:18 pm)I’m col87 wrote Right well from your posts you certainly don’t live or use the services in Hartlepool where as I do and I am a member of a local transport forum I know that people are definitely not happy  about the age of the buses, about overcrowding, about areas without a service and about the bus network in general so please don’t pretend you know what passengers want.  It’s no good the bus turning up if it’s full and no one can get due to how busy it is, so yes buses with a few extra seats as you put would be very nice.  Hartlepool do actually have 3 out of town services in the 1, 59 and UCG all could probably do with bigger buses.  
Every service has a journey or 2 where it don’t carry many passengers, that includes Newcastle where they have Deckers on some routes going round empty.  
You’re right in that the Yutongs  have less seats and I have already posted about that as they are going to have capacity issues on busier services.  
All Stagecoach really have to do in Hartlepool is extend the pits, even being a small depot they is plenty of space to do that. Bigger buses means more passengers, more out of town services either commercial or contract means opening up places and getting more profit it’s not difficult to understand.

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Right well from your posts you certainly don’t live or use the services in Hartlepool where as I do and I am a member of a local transport forum I know that people are definitely not happy  about the age of the buses, about overcrowding, about areas without a service and about the bus network in general so please don’t pretend you know what passengers want.  It’s no good the bus turning up if it’s full and no one can get due to how busy it is, so yes buses with a few extra seats as you put would be very nice.  Hartlepool do actually have 3 out of town services in the 1, 59 and UCG all could probably do with bigger buses.  
Every service has a journey or 2 where it don’t carry many passengers, that includes Newcastle where they have Deckers on some routes going round empty.  
You’re right in that the Yutongs  have less seats and I have already posted about that as they are going to have capacity issues on busier services.  
All Stagecoach really have to do in Hartlepool is extend the pits, even being a small depot they is plenty of space to do that. Bigger buses means more passengers, more out of town services either commercial or contract means opening up places and getting more profit it’s not difficult to understand.

And yet we have services in Newcastle that are single deckers that should be double deckers particularly 62/63 , 38 some journeys and you have 3 double deckers going around on the 18 carrying fresh air (yes it’s a contract ) but even so …

(02 Jun 2025, 10:44 pm)tCoastliner700 wrote And yet we have services in Newcastle that are single deckers that should be double deckers particularly 62/63 , 38 some journeys and you have 3 double deckers going around on the 18 carrying fresh air (yes it’s a contract ) but even so …

Simple solution really is get more double deckers, I think some might become surplus soon as I think Manchester could be losing services and order maybe 20 odd next year 10 for Newcastle and 10 for Stockton. That means some of the Enviro 300s could go to Hartlepool to replace the enviro 200s, most of which need scrapping as they are completely unreliable, Hartlepool could maybe even get some older enviro 400s ( double deckers will be needed for service 7 for at least two weeks over the summer holidays for the Carnival which does see nearly every service 7 completely full ) as well as service 1 which is often full from both Middlesbrough and Hartlepool as it is.

73096 enter service today replace E300 22574 want RTA yesterday.

(02 Jun 2025, 11:45 pm)col87 wrote Simple solution really is get more double deckers, I think some might become surplus soon as I think Manchester could be losing services and order maybe 20 odd next year 10 for Newcastle and 10 for Stockton. That means some of the Enviro 300s could go to Hartlepool to replace the enviro 200s, most of which need scrapping as they are completely unreliable, Hartlepool could maybe even get some older enviro 400s ( double deckers will be needed for service 7 for at least two weeks over the summer holidays for the Carnival which does see nearly every service 7 completely full ) as well as service 1 which is often full from both Middlesbrough and Hartlepool as it is.

There's no services being lost in Manchester. A lot of the problems are due to the problems with the Southport electrication being delayed for over 3 year, at least, and thus having to hold onto the Diesel Deckers there. 

They did get some out by swapping them with the hybrids but there's only so far you can go.

Do believe one depot is due some, but that's delayed indefinitily aswell (Middleton).

(03 Jun 2025, 2:21 pm)Storx wrote There's no services being lost in Manchester. A lot of the problems are due to the problems with the Southport electrication being delayed for over 3 year, at least, and thus having to hold onto the Diesel Deckers there. 

They did get some out by swapping them with the hybrids but there's only so far you can go.

Do believe one depot is due some, but that's delayed indefinitily aswell (Middleton).

my mistake then I thought they were doing some franchising.

73054
73053
73056
At Hartlepool depot

(03 Jun 2025, 3:33 pm)col87 wrote my mistake then I thought they were doing some franchising.

The franchising has been done.

(03 Jun 2025, 3:33 pm)col87 wrote my mistake then I thought they were doing some franchising.

Yeah as someone above has said it's all done now.

btw. there was an order of 150 electric deckers which were meant to convert Stockport into a full electric depot but because of delays it's been pushed back to 2028 and 100 of them were sent across to Metroline instead.

It's never been confirmed but I'd assume it was meant to displace some of their older Enviro's out and it's just not happened so they're down a lot of buses and putting one plus two together, it's no doubt the ones which aren't on schools and they're not rushing to repaint (ie. 65/16 Plate E400MMC's)

(03 Jun 2025, 4:03 pm)Scottish city buses wrote 73054
73053
73056
At Hartlepool depot

Are this buses on loan to stagecoach Stockton.

(03 Jun 2025, 4:03 pm)Scottish city buses wrote 73054
73053
73056
At Hartlepool depot

I went past the depot on the 1 earlier and never seen any Yutongs just the withdrawn Man’s

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They is one thing I am wondering about this charging points at Stockton are they just for the Yutongs or can they be used for any company. Am just thinking if in future Stagecoach decided to replace some of them with Mercedes or Volvo or ADL would the charges work for or would they have to replace the charges ?

Thank mate

73096 has replaced 22890 which has succumbed to its electrical gremlins.

The 73053/4/6 are expected to be joined by 73055 and are expected to operate out of Stockton long term before being replaced and displaced to their original home - this is to cover the 1/2, X40/41 and RP1 that weren’t originally planned on being operated beyond April 2025

(05 Jun 2025, 5:12 am)Teessider2014 wrote 73096 has replaced 22890 which has succumbed to its electrical gremlins.

The 73053/4/6 are expected to be joined by 73055 and are expected to operate out of Stockton long term before being replaced and displaced to their original home - this is to cover the 1/2, X40/41 and RP1 that weren’t originally planned on being operated beyond April 2025

73096 replaced 22574 not 22890

(06 Jun 2025, 1:28 am)busesofthenortheast wrote 73096 replaced 22574 not 22890

Maybe don't question someone who works for Stagecoach - 22890 has been off the road since it broke down on Marton Road on the 24th May, and is now off fleet. With 73096 entering service, this takes 22890's place in the fleet. 22574 was involved in said RTC on Monday but for now it remains 'on fleet'.

(06 Jun 2025, 9:12 am)Kuyoyo wrote Maybe don't question someone who works for Stagecoach - 22890 has been off the road since it broke down on Marton Road on the 24th May, and is now off fleet. With 73096 entering service, this takes 22890's place in the fleet. 22574 was involved in said RTC on Monday but for now it remains 'on fleet'.

I’m not questioning anyone, I thought 73096 entered service to replace 22574 when it had the RTC, I didn’t know 22890 broke down

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(05 Jun 2025, 5:12 am)Teessider2014 wrote 73096 has replaced 22890 which has succumbed to its electrical gremlins.

The 73053/4/6 are expected to be joined by 73055 and are expected to operate out of Stockton long term before being replaced and displaced to their original home - this is to cover the 1/2, X40/41 and RP1 that weren’t originally planned on being operated beyond April 2025

I honestly thought 73096 replaced 22574, I didn’t know that 22890 broke down on Marton Road now I see why you said 73096 replaced 22890 my apologies

(06 Jun 2025, 12:53 pm)busesofthenortheast wrote I’m not questioning anyone, I thought 73096 entered service to replace 22574 when it had the RTC, I didn’t know 22890 broke down

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I honestly thought 73096 replaced 22574, I didn’t know that 22890 broke down on Marton Road now I see why you said 73096 replaced 22890 my apologies

22574 wasn’t damaged in the RTA but is now having service work done and awaiting parts

(06 Jun 2025, 1:28 am)busesofthenortheast wrote 73096 replaced 22574 not 22890

(08 Jun 2025, 6:24 pm)Teessider2014 wrote 22574 wasn’t damaged in the RTA but is now having service work done and awaiting parts

Oh I didn’t know 22574 wasn’t damaged, tbf I wasn’t sure if was damaged or not when I saw the image of it

Has 80000 entered service yet at Stockton?

Was hoping it would come down to Sunderland too.

(09 Jun 2025, 5:21 am)Michael wrote Has 80000 entered service yet at Stockton?

Was hoping it would come down to Sunderland too.

Not yet

(09 Jun 2025, 5:21 am)Michael wrote Has 80000 entered service yet at Stockton?

Was hoping it would come down to Sunderland too.

Probably won’t go out until the rest of the electrics are out and 19678 19680 and 19681 are gone.

Speaking about the electric project, whats the set back? 2nd week of June and no formal date of the full introduction? Also what would be the removal process of all the buses at Stockton currently that are Diesel powered, so an overnight swap and drop or in the day, whats your thoughts?

22890 has been fixed by Hartlepool engineering - electrical gremlin apparently has been sorted - it has subsequently returned to service at Stockton today!