(04 Mar 2026, 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).

(04 Mar 2026, 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...

(04 Mar 2026, 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.

(04 Mar 2026, 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

(04 Mar 2026, 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.

(05 Mar 2026, 3:15 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Another 26 reg mmc has joined the fleet

There is 3 in total and they're 338 (YX26 KKC), 339 (YX26 KKD) and 340 (YX26 KGJ).

(05 Mar 2026, 6:04 pm)Malarkey wrote There is 3 in total and they're 338 (YX26 KKC), 339 (YX26 KKD) and 340 (YX26 KGJ).

Wonder how long these will be white for

Oh wait hang on. They get buses in white and just keep them like that. Like at least stick a company logo on so people know who's running the service

(05 Mar 2026, 11:15 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Wonder how long these will be white for

Oh wait hang on. They get buses in white and just keep them like that. Like at least stick a company logo on so people know who's running the service

I don’t think most passengers care as long as it turns up and gets them to their destination. I’m more likely to be asked if the Brasside bus has been than the GCT bus. It would help if they displayed the correct destination, mind.

(06 Mar 2026, 11:26 am)BusLoverMum wrote I don’t think most passengers care as long as it turns up and gets them to their destination. I’m more likely to be asked if the Brasside bus has been than the GCT bus. It would help if they displayed the correct destination, mind.

It doesn't help when GCT dont put a logo on the front of the bus to help identify who's running the service

(06 Mar 2026, 12:23 pm)Nerd4321 wrote It doesn't help when GCT dont put a logo on the front of the bus to help identify who's running the service

Who cares who is running the service? As long as it's running and on time, nothing else matters to ordinary customers. 

Pretty obvious anyway, if the bus isn't Arriva, GNE or Stagecoach, it's probably GCT. Sometimes a red/grey bus will be on, not always white, and passengers are just looking for the route number/destination, colour of the bus or who operates it doesn't matter.

I took a ride on-board one of the new 26 Plate ADLs, not any major differences to the 2024 examples, although did note the wood flooring & NSA Visual Screens, although they were not programmed, and were simply displaying the date and time.

They seem to be allocated with two on the 82 & the third example being kept on the 558s. One would imagine two of these examples will be used for the 599, when that route starts with them.

Also had noticed that all Day & Week Tickets purchased on-board, now come with a QR Code, although will almost certainly scan on their services only, given most operators don't share codes with each other...

(11 Mar 2026, 1:17 pm)S830OFT wrote I took a ride on-board one of the new 26 Plate ADLs, not any major differences to the 2024 examples, although did note the wood flooring & NSA Visual Screens, although they were not programmed, and were simply displaying the date and time.

They seem to be allocated with two on the 82 & the third example being kept on the 558s. One would imagine two of these examples will be used for the 599, when that route starts with them.

Also had noticed that all Day & Week Tickets purchased on-board, now come with a QR Code, although will almost certainly scan on their services only, given most operators don't share codes with each other...

Arrivas codes work in GNE and vice versa for the tne tickets

Noticed that GCT have had their destinations updated with new layout, and the via points are now flip change rather than scrolling.

(11 Mar 2026, 5:40 pm)Retro Nero wrote Noticed that GCT have had their destinations updated with new layout, and the via points are now flip change rather than scrolling.

I wonder if they've managed to spell 'Dene' correctly (As opposed to 'Dean' Estate!)...

Regarding the 'No Company Names', most if not all of their vehicles have a sign on the rear stating 'Operated by Gateshead Central' in addition to the legal lettering on the nearside of the vehicle. However, I do agree it would be helpful to have the sign on the front & both sides of the vehicles aswell.

It is a real shame it's more basic white buses, there's so much potential to be had. Although it would probably be more sensible, given how frequently their Nexus branded fleet are used on DCC work.

The GCT culture is certainly a very rare breed in itself. It's almost like it's opposite day, everyday...

Anyone know what will be allocated to the 599 from Monday?

(18 Mar 2026, 10:59 am)Michael wrote Anyone know what will be allocated to the 599 from Monday?

Probs the 26 reg MMC. Wonder if the 599 will track since they got the 82. It hasn't tracked at all

(18 Mar 2026, 11:05 am)Nerd4321 wrote Probs the 26 reg MMC. Wonder if the 599 will track since they got the 82. It hasn't tracked at all

I hope it does, I use the service on the Thursday and Friday so use Bustimes to check see if I can catch the Stagecoach 16 at the hospital, saves me going via the town to catch another bus.


Bearing in mind, the 599 was on time about 99% time I used it, it was ran that well.

(18 Mar 2026, 11:13 am)Michael wrote I hope it does, I use the service on the Thursday and Friday so use Bustimes to check see if I can catch the Stagecoach 16 at the hospital, saves me going via the town to catch another bus.


Bearing in mind, the 599 was on time about 99% time I used it, it was ran that well.

The 599 does worry me under GCT as they seem to keep taking a bus of the 35 recently. Seems to do 3/4 trips in the morning then its taken off and its down to 1 bus for about 2 maybe 4 hours before its replaced. And its not like the bus breaks down cause it goes to the depot then onto another service

I hope we dont see this happening with the 599 but if it doesn't track there is no way of knowing

(18 Mar 2026, 1:07 pm)Nerd4321 wrote The 599 does worry me under GCT as they seem to keep taking a bus of the 35 recently. Seems to do 3/4 trips in the morning then its taken off and its down to 1 bus for about 2 maybe 4 hours before its replaced. And its not like the bus breaks down cause it goes to the depot then onto another service

I hope we dont see this happening with the 599 but if it doesn't track there is no way of knowing

That's my worry too, bustimes, is the only way to track the 599.

I don't want to let the GNE 8 go for the 599 not to turn up.

Think the favourites to be left off are the 19, 35, 40, 42, 71, 168, 335 & 520 & 558.

You'll never see the PR1/PR2 missing unless the bus breaks down, then it's replaced within the next trip, whereas the 42 or 168 could be without a bus for the rest of the day.

Operationally, not a good way to do things, although because every route is a contract, something has to go if the resource just simply isn't there. Obviously the Live Tracking on bus times does help, although sometimes the bus has actually been running, it just hasn't tracked.

Regarding the 82 not tracking, I believe it's a mistake on their end, where the ability to track the bus wasn't selected when publishing the timetable, something very similar to when Borders Buses first took over the 418 & it took about a year for it to finally track as the '0418' for some reason.

Obviously the PVR will increase by 2 on Monday with the 599, so one would hope they have a contingency plan to ensure that they are not going to end up not running services for the full day or indeed taking a bus from the 520 to do a 71...

(18 Mar 2026, 1:07 pm)Nerd4321 wrote The 599 does worry me under GCT as they seem to keep taking a bus of the 35 recently. Seems to do 3/4 trips in the morning then its taken off and its down to 1 bus for about 2 maybe 4 hours before its replaced. And its not like the bus breaks down cause it goes to the depot then onto another service

I hope we dont see this happening with the 599 but if it doesn't track there is no way of knowing

Have you contacted Nexus about this and provided examples.  After all GCT will submit an invoice  and have to explain lost mileage  on why they shouldnt be paid for a service that they havent provided

As predicted. The 599 does not track

(23 Mar 2026, 6:19 am)Nerd4321 wrote As predicted. The 599 does not track

Hopefully its because its the first day, hopefully its tracking soon.

(23 Mar 2026, 12:44 pm)Michael wrote Hopefully its because its the first day, hopefully its tracking soon.

The 82 hasn’t tracked since they took over the contract in May last year so i don’t have high hopes for tracking but you never know.

First day of the 599 and only one bus operating this afternoon. Apparently they have had a "breakdown". Guess it sounds better than a "puncture" which is a bit old now.

They did get both of the new buses onto the route this morning it seems, so presume the 82 would have been allocated whatever was spare.

Also the 42 and 71 both seem to have gone missing at various parts of this morning. Wonder why?

Edit - No breakdown it seems as YX26KKD is now operating on the 82 having been on the 599 earlier, operating alongside SK19EYH, no doubt one of the early finishing runs on another route will have then went onto the 599...

(23 Mar 2026, 3:34 pm)S830OFT wrote First day of the 599 and only one bus operating this afternoon. Apparently they have had a "breakdown". Guess it sounds better than a "puncture" which is a bit old now.

They did get both of the new buses onto the route this morning it seems, so presume the 82 would have been allocated whatever was spare.

Also the 42 and 71 both seem to have gone missing at various parts of this morning. Wonder why?

First day... good start...........

Lets hope this isn't gonna be a regular thing.... makes it worse, there's no tracking