(15 Dec 2025, 7:49 pm)Michael wrote WE’RE STARSTRUCK ?

Our ever-expanding fleet continues to get a glow-up.

Here’s a look behind the scenes at one of our latest acquisitions being repainted…

? Euro VI - for greener, cleaner air.
? Fitted with seatbelts - for your comfort and ease on private hires
? Soon to be fully PSVAIR compliant with “next stop” audio-visual announcements



https://www.facebook.com/photo/?fbid=122264487668183040&set=a.122139636836183040


Anyone know what fleet number this has gained?

I'd presume 302 as it's another E300.

(15 Dec 2025, 8:07 pm)Malarkey wrote I'd presume 302 as it's another E300.

Not on Facebook, any other pics

(16 Dec 2025, 6:25 am)Retro Nero wrote Not on Facebook, any other pics

The E300 in question has been numbered 302 and is formerly Stagecoach East Scotland & Strathtay's 27606 (SP59 CTU).

Elsewhere Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 Olympus 438 (LX09 BXJ) is back from repaint into Northstar Livery.

SP59 CTU

Northstar 302 / SP59 CTU by kieron mathews, on Flickr


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Northstar 435 / LX09 AYE by kieron mathews, on Flickr

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(26 Dec 2025, 2:31 pm)TEN 6083 wrote Northstar 435 / LX09 AYE by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Have the Northstar services been busy today?

Some very strong loadings observed on the M43, primarily those heading to the Metrocentre and Newcastle but more than I had expected heading into Stanley throughout the day.

(26 Dec 2025, 3:44 pm)Michael wrote Have the Northstar services been busy today?

Think it's been a mixed bag if I am honest, I have seen a few M43/X21's quite busy then others have been pretty dead.

I went into Newcastle and then up Regent Centre and it was dead, not many people about at all today.

Interesting, good to see them busy on most of the runs, hopefully they'll launch a few services in 2026 to go against GNE and Arriva.

(26 Dec 2025, 5:06 pm)Michael wrote Interesting, good to see them busy on most of the runs, hopefully they'll launch a few services in 2026 to go against GNE and Arriva.

Probably a bit too far away from their operating base area, but would be good to see them running the 350/351.

Also, the evening & Sunday X15 could be a shout if that is still tendered by DCC?

Has 413 been sold? Just noticed it missing from fleet on Bus Times Fleet List.

(05 Jan 2026, 6:34 pm)Retro Nero wrote Has 413 been sold? Just noticed it missing from fleet on Bus Times Fleet List.

It was sold after the loss of the 643 back to GNE / The arrival of the first Enviro 400 Optare Olympus' from Go-Ahead London.

(05 Jan 2026, 7:44 pm)Malarkey wrote It was sold after the loss of the 643 back to GNE / The arrival of the first Enviro 400 Optare Olympus' from Go-Ahead London.

Thank you, appreciate it

GNE are getting rid of quite a few Deckers including some of the ex London ADLs , (with centre doors ) ,they are hanging on to the converted ones, wonder if Northstar will take any .

(09 Jan 2026, 3:14 pm)Retro Nero wrote GNE are getting rid of quite a few Deckers including some of the ex London ADLs , (with centre doors ) ,they are hanging on to the converted ones, wonder if Northstar will take any .

I'm sure they have some more of the DOE Class GAL E400 Olympus' in storage at Gem Travels depot pending they gain more contracts.

Dan seems to like his Ex Stagecoach Scotland Buses and obviously has a good relationship with whoever he purchases them from so would no surprise if we see more incoming from that direction.

I think there is more chance of GNE's Ex GAL vehicles going for scrap.

(09 Jan 2026, 3:14 pm)Retro Nero wrote GNE are getting rid of quite a few Deckers including some of the ex London ADLs , (with centre doors ) ,they are hanging on to the converted ones, wonder if Northstar will take any .

I doubt GNE would be willing to sell any of their buses to Northstar, but they wouldn’t be required anyway.

Northstar has a fleet of around 20 Euro VI double-deck buses (more modern than those GNE are likely to dispose of with the entry into service of their new buses) in storage, as well as a decent number of Euro VI single decks - intentionally kept in storage pending any contract gains, or losses which could lead to further commercial start-ups, as seen when the 643 contract was lost to GNE.

It’s more likely that GNE’s buses will be scrapped. They were fully depreciated assets on acquisition for the Metro Flow contract some years ago, and potentially aside from some hardware on the bus, will remain as such now. The quickest and easiest disposal (in the absence of a great deal of storage space) will be scrap.

(10 Jan 2026, 10:17 am)Dan wrote I doubt GNE would be willing to sell any of their buses to Northstar, but they wouldn’t be required anyway.

Northstar has a fleet of around 20 Euro VI double-deck buses (more modern than those GNE are likely to dispose of with the entry into service of their new buses) in storage, as well as a decent number of Euro VI single decks - intentionally kept in storage pending any contract gains, or losses which could lead to further commercial start-ups, as seen when the 643 contract was lost to GNE.

It’s more likely that GNE’s buses will be scrapped. They were fully depreciated assets on acquisition for the Metro Flow contract some years ago, and potentially aside from some hardware on the bus, will remain as such now. The quickest and easiest disposal (in the absence of a great deal of storage space) will be scrap.

Thanks Dan

(09 Jan 2026, 3:14 pm)Retro Nero wrote GNE are getting rid of quite a few Deckers including some of the ex London ADLs , (with centre doors ) ,they are hanging on to the converted ones, wonder if Northstar will take any .

Unsure GoNorthEast would want to work with Dan mind. I know he'll never say but they're relationship doesn't exactly seem exactly bright right now, especially since their commercial work is always against them. 

I know they're not withdrawing anything of much use right now, but surely Arriva would be more likely, in the future, especially since Martijn Gilbert is the new boss now and he pretty much helped him set up Northstar, in the first place.

Obviously no-one is realistically taking on 19 year old battered E400's etc though.

(10 Jan 2026, 11:57 am)Storx wrote Unsure GoNorthEast would want to work with Dan mind. I know he'll never say but they're relationship doesn't exactly seem exactly bright right now, especially since their commercial work is always against them. 

I know they're not withdrawing anything of much use right now, but surely Arriva would be more likely, in the future, especially since Martijn Gilbert is the new boss now and he pretty much helped him set up Northstar, in the first place.

Obviously no-one is realistically taking on 19 year old battered E400's etc though.

I'd take an old Arriva Pulsar over any grotty Versa GNE has

(10 Jan 2026, 12:08 pm)Kimlfixit wrote I'd take an old Arriva Pulsar over any grotty Versa GNE has

Aye I'd back you there. They haven't withdrawn many of those anywhere yet though I don't believe. 

It's all just random stuff like Temsas which lets be honest no-one is touching, even known they're now in service in the Midlands with Arriva there.

(10 Jan 2026, 10:17 am)Dan wrote I doubt GNE would be willing to sell any of their buses to Northstar, but they wouldn’t be required anyway.

Northstar has a fleet of around 20 Euro VI double-deck buses (more modern than those GNE are likely to dispose of with the entry into service of their new buses) in storage, as well as a decent number of Euro VI single decks - intentionally kept in storage pending any contract gains, or losses which could lead to further commercial start-ups, as seen when the 643 contract was lost to GNE.

It’s more likely that GNE’s buses will be scrapped. They were fully depreciated assets on acquisition for the Metro Flow contract some years ago, and potentially aside from some hardware on the bus, will remain as such now. The quickest and easiest disposal (in the absence of a great deal of storage space) will be scrap.

Would be good to see more services launched.

What kind of buses do they have in storage?

(09 Jan 2026, 3:39 pm)Malarkey wrote I'm sure they have some more of the DOE Class GAL E400 Olympus' in storage at Gem Travels depot pending they gain more contracts.

Dan seems to like his Ex Stagecoach Scotland Buses and obviously has a good relationship with whoever he purchases them from so would no surprise if we see more incoming from that direction.

I think there is more chance of GNE's Ex GAL vehicles going for scrap.

I was on newest acquisition, 302 the other day from Pallion and people were very confused and thought they had got on the 11 by mistake due to it basically being exactly like every non electric stagecoach bus in the north east yet just painted 2 shades of blue. I have heard the same on the X22 from Chester-Le-St people were confused if Stagecoach had now got routes in their area...

Tbf a simple retrim of the seats would solve that instantly. Although good luck trying to get a decent moquette that matches red/orange is Stagecoach internal designs

(11 Jan 2026, 10:13 pm)logidoodah wrote I was on newest acquisition, 302 the other day from Pallion and people were very confused and thought they had got on the 11 by mistake due to it basically being exactly like every non electric stagecoach bus in the north east yet just painted 2 shades of blue. I have heard the same on the X22 from Chester-Le-St people were confused if Stagecoach had now got routes in their area...

Tbf a simple retrim of the seats would solve that instantly. Although good luck trying to get a decent moquette that matches red/orange is Stagecoach internal designs

The seats are in good condition on all the former Stagecoach South Scotland vehicles, so can't see them getting a retrim because people think they've teleported onto a different bus 

(12 Jan 2026, 6:23 am)cr51xln wrote The seats are in good condition on all the former Stagecoach South Scotland vehicles, so can't see them getting a retrim because people think they've teleported onto a different bus 

Yes I quite agree. Would be a waste of money and it isn't a hard concept of a company buying an old bus but someone people are proper bamboozled by it 

(11 Jan 2026, 10:13 pm)logidoodah wrote I was on newest acquisition, 302 the other day from Pallion and people were very confused and thought they had got on the 11 by mistake due to it basically being exactly like every non electric stagecoach bus in the north east yet just painted 2 shades of blue. I have heard the same on the X22 from Chester-Le-St people were confused if Stagecoach had now got routes in their area...

Tbf a simple retrim of the seats would solve that instantly. Although good luck trying to get a decent moquette that matches red/orange is Stagecoach internal designs

I'd argue that this didn't happen at all, I've never had any passengers mention anything of the like to me?

Normal passengers really don't notice this sort of thing.

(12 Jan 2026, 8:35 pm)LeeCalder wrote Normal passengers really don't notice this sort of thing.

I have to agree. Some of the Arriva buses that are due to be replaced have holes in panels and are tatty inside but my experience is 99% of passengers don't notice as all they want is for it to get them from a to b. 

The only thing most people care about is the number on the display on the front, then they sit down and scroll through their phone not noticing the surroundings.

(12 Jan 2026, 8:35 pm)LeeCalder wrote I'd argue that this didn't happen at all, I've never had any passengers mention anything of the like to me?

Normal passengers really don't notice this sort of thing.

i thought this too... but wasnt sure how to put it into a reply!

Have to agree, tbh aside us angry souls on here, I doubt anyone notice when an Angel turns up on a 58 or an X10 etc etc

I don't know you know, people definitely noticed around here when the Solo's returned for round 2 of being absolutely s**t on the 57/57A after they had the brand new E200MMC's for a few month and it actually had some reliability for a short while.

People definitely notice imo, don't see why they'd mention it to a driver though.

(13 Jan 2026, 8:20 pm)Storx wrote I don't know you know, people definitely noticed around here when the Solo's returned for round 2 of being absolutely s**t on the 57/57A after they had the brand new E200MMC's for a few month and it actually had some reliability for a short while.

People definitely notice imo.

Northstar Page !  Really !