(21 Nov 2025, 7:04 pm)PH - BQA wrote

You appear to have posted a pic of Superhans

Passed the old City Transport Tri Axle coach on the M1 at around Junction 10.

Had to take a second look

City Transport have Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 - GX09ZZW on loan from Transpora for at least a week. It is seen approaching the bus link to the Tyne Tunnel Southbound whilst on Ferry Replacement duties. https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...5087592713

(09 Feb 2026, 10:18 pm)Rapidsnap wrote City Transport have Volvo B9TL / Wright Eclipse Gemini 2 - GX09ZZW on loan from Transpora for at least a week. It is seen approaching the bus link to the Tyne Tunnel Southbound whilst on Ferry Replacement duties. https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...5087592713

How do you get photos of the City Transport buses on Ferry Replacements when they don't track on Bustimes?

Thanks.

(09 Feb 2026, 10:28 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote How do you get photos of the City Transport buses on Ferry Replacements when they don't track on Bustimes?

Thanks.

Suppose using your brain is dangerous? 

ferry off so cant use water 

Bus replacement between North and South Shields... 

How else would you make the journey?

(09 Feb 2026, 10:37 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Suppose using your brain is dangerous? 

ferry off so cant use water 

Bus replacement between North and South Shields... 

How else would you make the journey?

Well your insulting comment and patronising tone is unnecessary.

I'm well aware the ferry is off, and replacement buses are being ran by City Transport and Northstar.

My question was from an enthusiast rather than passenger view point, in how to know when a particular City Transport bus is on Ferry Replacement duties, when they are not tracking on Bustimes. Just if there is another way to know is all.

(09 Feb 2026, 11:47 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Well your insulting comment and patronising tone is unnecessary.

I'm well aware the ferry is off, and replacement buses are being ran by City Transport and Northstar.

My question was from an enthusiast rather than passenger view point, in how to know when a particular City Transport bus is on Ferry Replacement duties, when they are not tracking on Bustimes. Just if there is another way to know is all.

How did people cope before Bustimes?!
You know the timetable so it’s a case of going out and seeing what turns up on each working.

(09 Feb 2026, 11:53 pm)tyresmoke wrote How did people cope before Bustimes?!
You know the timetable so it’s a case of going out and seeing what turns up on each working.

True. Fair point. I suppose just odd and unhelpful that City Transport's workings are not tracking whereas Northstar's are. But sometimes good old fashioned bus spotting without Bustimes is the answer, with false trackings and such making Bustimes not 100% reliable anyway!

(10 Feb 2026, 12:02 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote True. Fair point. I suppose just odd and unhelpful that City Transport's workings are not tracking whereas Northstar's are. But sometimes good old fashioned bus spotting without Bustimes is the answer, with false trackings and such making Bustimes not 100% reliable anyway!

Nothing to do with the fact some instances City Transport have been using Buses that are supposed to be in Preservation, not sure how they are getting around this mind you.

To be honest, it was just speculation to what was running on it. The previous 2 occasions I photoed City Transport workings, it was the Tri-Axle EvoSeti. However on Monday I had noted on bus time that the EvoSeti, plus the other Gemini 2 and one of the Bendies were in use on Sunderland Connect service, so I thought I take a punt and see what was out, and lo and behold this Transpora Gemini appeared.

(11 Feb 2026, 2:01 am)Rapidsnap wrote To be honest, it was just speculation to what was running on it. The previous 2 occasions I photoed City Transport workings, it was the Tri-Axle EvoSeti. However on Monday I had noted on bus time that the EvoSeti, plus the other Gemini 2 and one of the Bendies were in use on Sunderland Connect service, so I thought I take a punt and see what was out, and lo and behold this Transpora Gemini appeared.

Photos have shown the Preserved Aberdeen Bendy Bus and the ex Stagecoach ALX300 22341

(11 Feb 2026, 7:20 am)Nerd4321 wrote Photos have shown the Preserved Aberdeen Bendy Bus and the ex Stagecoach ALX300 22341

Both still wearing the livery of their previous operator - which is against the terms of sale for both.

DW218b LJ09 STZ was on the 701 today:

https://bustimes.org/vehicles/yctg-lj09-stz

(Yesterday, 7:56 pm)Michael wrote DW218b LJ09 STZ was on the 701 today:

https://bustimes.org/vehicles/yctg-lj09-stz

It's on loan to them, unsure where from however - the Transpora B9TL has been returned.

(photo from my Flickr account)

The EvoSeti is away down in Manchester on the big Piccadilly Rail Replacement blockade that's in place until Sunday.

(Yesterday, 8:39 pm)Jimmi wrote It's on loan to them, unsure where from however - the Transpora B9TL has been returned.

(photo from my Flickr account)

The EvoSeti is (or at least it was at the weekend) away down in Manchester on the big Piccadilly Rail Replacement blockade that's in place until Sunday.

Thank you for the additional information Jimmi.

(11 Feb 2026, 7:20 am)Nerd4321 wrote Photos have shown the Preserved Aberdeen Bendy Bus and the ex Stagecoach ALX300 22341

(11 Feb 2026, 8:47 am)F114TML wrote Both still wearing the livery of their previous operator - which is against the terms of sale for both.

Oh wow there alx300 has made an appearance on the 700/701?! That’s crazy 

And what do you mean by against the terms of sale, as in they’re suppose to repaint it when they buy it? I don’t know much about the whole buying malarkey for buses. 


I’ve heard City’s suppose to eventually be painting their new tri-axle into city colours.

(Yesterday, 10:16 pm)MinorBusMan wrote Oh wow there alx300 has made an appearance on the 700/701?! That’s crazy 

And what do you mean by against the terms of sale, as in they’re suppose to repaint it when they buy it? I don’t know much about the whole buying malarkey for buses. 


I’ve heard City’s suppose to eventually be painting their new tri-axle into city colours.

I don't know if its been on the 700 service, but the ALX300 has been on the Shields Ferry replacement.

Against the terms of sale as it is still in Stagecoach livery and when you buy a bus from Stagecoach you are not supposed to operate it in their livery.

(Yesterday, 10:16 pm)MinorBusMan wrote Oh wow there alx300 has made an appearance on the 700/701?! That’s crazy 

And what do you mean by against the terms of sale, as in they’re suppose to repaint it when they buy it? I don’t know much about the whole buying malarkey for buses. 


I’ve heard City’s suppose to eventually be painting their new tri-axle into city colours.

No, it has not been used on the 700/701.

Yeah it ran on the ferry replacement - dumped a load of oil on the road at North Shields.

Wasn't it sold for preservation too?

I mean we call Gateshead Cowboys but....

Yeah so when you buy a bus off Stagecoach they explitly tell you it "must not be operated in Stagecoach livery", and that this condition is passed on to any future purchasors.

Must say I don't understand why they don't damage the paintwork with lines or whatever like they did in the past.

Even if it was as much as spray painting over the logos.

I know Arriva used to do it, unsure if they do now.

(Yesterday, 8:39 pm)Jimmi wrote It's on loan to them, unsure where from however - the Transpora B9TL has been returned.

(photo from my Flickr account)

The EvoSeti is away down in Manchester on the big Piccadilly Rail Replacement blockade that's in place until Sunday.

Looks like the destination problem is sorted, only for the branded B9 to have paper displays today.

Cool, a DB300, though looks like it has just come out of London, still with Tfl logo on. Why are they loaning buses, is it just because they are doing the Ferry work?

The DB300 is on loan from DM Motor Services, Tockwith.

(3 hours ago)F114TML wrote Looks like the destination problem is sorted, only for the branded B9 to have paper displays today.

Front display wasn't working yesterday afternoon, side and rear were however.

(3 hours ago)Arriva7446 wrote Cool, a DB300, though looks like it has just come out of London, still with Tfl logo on. Why are they loaning buses, is it just because they are doing the Ferry work?

Currently they're doing the Shields Ferry Replacement service 585 and the EvoSeti is away in Manchester all week to do Rail Replacements.

(1 hour ago)Jimmi wrote Front display wasn't working yesterday afternoon, side and rear were however.


Currently they're doing the Shields Ferry Replacement service 585 and the EvoSeti is away in Manchester all week to do Rail Replacements.

Go North East are operating the Shields Ferry Replacement service 585 today with 6303/6305 today, presuming with City away doing Rail Replacements in Manchester they couldn't work both due to lack of Drivers/Buses.

(1 hour ago)Jimmi wrote Front display wasn't working yesterday afternoon, side and rear were however.


Currently they're doing the Shields Ferry Replacement service 585 and the EvoSeti is away in Manchester all week to do Rail Replacements.

Go North East (Washington Depot) have been operating the Ferry Replacement 585 since 11th February.