(20 Feb 2026, 12:14 am)Rapidsnap wrote There is still the secret Tesco Bus that still service Kingston Park Tesco car park. Just no normal bus service will go in there now.

Yes, there is. It's a decent little service actually. Just limited operating hours. Apparently it doesn't run on Wednesdays or Saturdays, and it finishes at 2pm in Kingston Park Tesco car park, terminating in from the Dinnington route, with the last 2 loops around Kenton and Fawdon not running.

Not sure why it's a secret. The M71 seems to have been around forever. Disappointing they couldn't slightly improve the Tesco free bus to compensate for the loss of the M71. Stagecoach 6 only runs hourly, and doesn't serve the car park.

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Variation CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD 351 Haymarket Bus Station Whitley Bay, Park View

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Variation CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD 350 Haymarket Bus Station Whitley Bay, Park View

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Variation CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD 335 Killingworth Bus Station Hadrian Park, The Bush

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Variation CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD 19 Cramlington, Manor Walks North Shields Ferry

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Variation CENTRAL TAXIS GATESHEAD LTD 653 Battle Hill Drive Freeman Hospital

Some rather quirky allocations today. I'm sure there would have been logic and purpose behind these allocations...

Including:
SJ18USE - 71
SG19HOA - 42
LN20OPO/OPK - 35 (at various points of the day)

(03 Mar 2026, 7:09 pm)S830OFT wrote Some rather quirky allocations today. I'm sure there would have been logic and purpose behind these allocations...

Including:
SJ18USE - 71
SG19HOA - 42
LN20OPO/OPK - 35 (at various points of the day)

Struggling with vehicles availability or drivers again? No bus on the W2 for most of the day.

(Yesterday, 9:07 am)NEtransport wrote Struggling with vehicles availability or drivers again? No bus on the W2 for most of the day.

Has it been reported to Nexus? Or was the tracking data not available?

Two new buses arrived today. Both white 26 reg 200MMC. Amazing with Next Stop fitted. Must be wanting to show an impression on the 599. Though I do want to question on why every bus they seem to get is delivered white and they do nothing with them. Im amazed the 24 reg arrived Grey and done full livery but this is getting kinda annoying seeing GCT fleet be white now

It makes you think a passenger wondering which bus company is running the service since the bus is just plain white with no indication of a company name

(Yesterday, 7:05 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Has it been reported to Nexus? Or was the tracking data not available?

Dont know if there is any point in reporting it to Nexus as do they really care?

But they took the bus off the W2 to run the 35 for a bit, and then returned to the W2. Really bad service.

(Yesterday, 10:02 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Two new buses arrived today. Both white 26 reg 200MMC. Amazing with Next Stop fitted. Must be wanting to show an impression on the 599. Though I do want to question on why every bus they seem to get is delivered white and they do nothing with them. I'm amazed the 24 reg arrived Grey and done full livery but this is getting kinda annoying seeing GCT fleet be white now

It makes you think a passenger wondering which bus company is running the service since the bus is just plain white with no indication of a company name

It was meant to be white for Durham contracts and grey/red for Nexus contracts. But they are just all mixed in. They should definitely put their logo on the white buses. Hopefully they make a good job of running the 599.

Disappointing they were unable to source additional buses for the 32/32A contract, whether bought or leased or whatever. A PVR of 6 is quite a commitment though sadly. Nexus fares are cheaper than Stagecoach (£4 instead of £6, and I believe the Nexus Day Ticket covers a larger area. Potentially the £4 ticket will go up this month, but then Stagecoach will likely increase their fares next month).

(Yesterday, 10:02 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Two new buses arrived today. Both white 26 reg 200MMC. Amazing with Next Stop fitted. Must be wanting to show an impression on the 599. Though I do want to question on why every bus they seem to get is delivered white and they do nothing with them. Im amazed the 24 reg arrived Grey and done full livery but this is getting kinda annoying seeing GCT fleet be white now

It makes you think a passenger wondering which bus company is running the service since the bus is just plain white with no indication of a company name

Hopefully they do go on the 599, what was the contract terms for the buses allocated?


Just Euro 6 and a certain capacity?

Would be nice to see the two new buses for the 599, although with the loss of the X46/M71, that displaces the two Optare Solo SRs currently used on those two routes.

However, allocation wise those new buses could be allocated anywhere...

(Yesterday, 10:43 pm)S830OFT wrote Would be nice to see the two new buses for the 599, although with the loss of the X46/M71, that displaces the two Optare Solo SRs currently used on those two routes.

However, allocation wise those new buses could be allocated anywhere...

M71 and X46 are retained for another year.

(Yesterday, 10:43 pm)S830OFT wrote Would be nice to see the two new buses for the 599, although with the loss of the X46/M71, that displaces the two Optare Solo SRs currently used on those two routes.

However, allocation wise those new buses could be allocated anywhere...

M71 got saved and Stanley Travel dropped the X46 so both are under GCT for another year. I did wonder what they would need to get for the 599 as they did not have the availability of buses

New 26 plate ADL on service 82 today, didn't get a photo, sorry

Another 26 reg mmc has joined the fleet

(Yesterday, 10:22 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote It was meant to be white for Durham contracts and grey/red for Nexus contracts. But they are just all mixed in. They should definitely put their logo on the white buses. Hopefully they make a good job of running the 599.

Disappointing they were unable to source additional buses for the 32/32A contract, whether bought or leased or whatever. A PVR of 6 is quite a commitment though sadly. Nexus fares are cheaper than Stagecoach (£4 instead of £6, and I believe the Nexus Day Ticket covers a larger area. Potentially the £4 ticket will go up this month, but then Stagecoach will likely increase their fares next month).

You do know you can buy the £4 Nexus day ticket on any Nexus contracted service? It’s only available on Nexus contracted services but you can buy it on Stagecoach routes 18 and 32/32A and it will still be available on the 32/32A all year.