I’m lead to believe that 19387 and 19437 are to transfer from Sunderland to South Sheilds in a few weeks for Scholars in replacement a few 27xxx are to go to Sunderland but would need to be Euro 6 so they could be used on the x24 from September when the 19xxx go back onto scholars and the 28xxx now on borrowed time.

(03 Aug 2025, 3:58 pm)Theboyle92 wrote I’m lead to believe that 19387 and 19437 are to transfer from Sunderland to South Sheilds in a few weeks for Scholars in replacement a few 27xxx are to go to Sunderland but would need to be Euro 6 so they could be used on the x24 from September when the 19xxx go back onto scholars and the 28xxx now on borrowed time.

The X24 is desperate for some decent buses. Can’t tell you how many times in the past few months been stood in Newcastle after finishing work for it to be either cancelled or break down in Newcastle.

(03 Aug 2025, 6:00 pm)Ian1254 wrote The X24 is desperate for some decent buses. Can’t tell you how many times in the past few months been stood in Newcastle after finishing work for it to be either cancelled or break down in Newcastle.

As a driver on the x24 i can only apologise, but completely agree with you i had the pleasure of having 11607 the other month one of the 73 plate 400MMCs to cover a few runs on the x24 and from a driver’s perspective was brilliant, never struggled on hills nice and smooth very little rattles, even the passengers i picked up were impressed, hopefully new buses are inbound rather than old hand-me-downs.

(03 Aug 2025, 6:06 pm)Theboyle92 wrote As a driver on the x24 i can only apologise, but completely agree with you i had the pleasure of having 11607 the other month one of the 73 plate 400MMCs to cover a few runs on the x24 and from a driver’s perspective was brilliant, never struggled on hills nice and smooth very little rattles, even the passengers i picked up were impressed, hopefully new buses are inbound rather than old hand-me-downs.

I do feel bad for the drivers sometimes especially when metro and a19 go down. Few weeks ago we broke down in Newcastle on 19444 with water/coolant pouring out the back. It took at least an hour for engineers from walkergate to come out with another bus. 95% of the passengers had enough and went for the metro and the rest were Hastings Hill/Grindon passengers. It was amusing seeing the driver spend at least 10 minutes trying to figure how to start and move the bus but I’m guessing he wasn’t used to the stop start.

Why did the EV’s get taken off? They were certainly better and more reliable than the gas buses and deckers?

(03 Aug 2025, 7:34 pm)Ian1254 wrote I do feel bad for the drivers sometimes especially when metro and a19 go down. Few weeks ago we broke down in Newcastle on 19444 with water/coolant pouring out the back. It took at least an hour for engineers from walkergate to come out with another bus. 95% of the passengers had enough and went for the metro and the rest were Hastings Hill/Grindon passengers. It was amusing seeing the driver spend at least 10 minutes trying to figure how to start and move the bus but I’m guessing he wasn’t used to the stop start.

Why did the EV’s get taken off? They were certainly better and more reliable than the gas buses and deckers?

The EVs were taken off as they were having issues the following day with the batteries being abused up and down the A19, dont know the full ins and outs but thats what we have been told, the drivers dont mind having deckers on if they are the ones that can do 56mph which are 19437 and 19387 (typical the ones being transferred) the other deckers , 440/444/641 and 642 are all limited to 50mph ish, be surprised how much a difference 6mph can make when you’re running late. As for the gas buses theres one or two that are brilliant for the X24s and run perfectly without issues , but with the 6 weeks and metros famous reliability issues the powers that be have decided to stick deckers on to cope with demand incase ticket acceptance is required.

(03 Aug 2025, 3:13 pm)F114TML wrote You're thinking of the 62 and 63. Walker only do a handful of boards.

What im suggesting is swap a route with equivalent PVR to Slatyford and allow the 30/31/36 from Walkergate with the electrics. Routes have been exchanged before so can’t see why this needs not to be a consideration. 37/38 has simlilar PvR swap that to Slatyford and 30/31/36 to Walkergate !

(03 Aug 2025, 8:30 pm)Coastliner700 wrote What im suggesting is swap a route with equivalent PVR to Slatyford and allow the 30/31/36 from Walkergate with the electrics. Routes have been exchanged before so can’t see why this needs not to be a consideration. 37/38 has simlilar PvR swap that to Slatyford and 30/31/36 to Walkergate !

imo you'd be better doing what happened in Teesside and just send them to Sunderland instead with some route in the Newcastle area upgraded with some Diesels. The 62/63 being the obvious choice, with most those deckers going to other depots to replace other buses. Walkergate being an obvious choice in return for some singles to see off the MAN's or the X24 at Sunderland either if you fancied upgrading that to double decker permanently which would see off a few gas buses instead.

(03 Aug 2025, 6:00 pm)Ian1254 wrote Isn’t the x24 regularly allocated a brand new Yutong? 

I travel quite regularly on the x24 and very rarely are the electric vehicles on it.  It's either gas buses or double deckers at weekends and during school holidays.

(03 Aug 2025, 3:58 pm)Theboyle92 wrote I’m lead to believe that 19387 and 19437 are to transfer from Sunderland to South Sheilds in a few weeks for Scholars in replacement a few 27xxx are to go to Sunderland but would need to be Euro 6 so they could be used on the x24 from September when the 19xxx go back onto scholars and the 28xxx now on borrowed time.

19437 and 19438 both at Shields on X34 today

(04 Aug 2025, 2:57 pm)LVK 404L wrote 19437 and 19438 both at Shields on X34 today

With 36962/4 tracking at Sunderland today

73176 at Stockton awaiting entry into service

Saw Stockton's 22341 in Norton around 11am.  Hazard lights on NIS outside the Highland Laddie. Two lads who were with the bus trying to open engine cover.