A post on Facebook has announced the meeting about the 307/309 electric buses is to happen this week

They say "18 new buses" which im sure the Cobalt doesn't require (shush for god sake and the coast road and 307 high farm sh!t)

Also they aint the smartest people as they say the 306/308 has new electric buses but there proof is due to the odd 1 or 2 BYD doing them

Screenshot linked below

Any updates on the new apparent new buses for the 56 and 60 in Sunderland?

Anyone got any ideas?

(30 Oct 2026, 12:43 pm)Unber43 wrote Anyone got any ideas?

Not yet, but now that ADLs pay talks were resolved, the orders might be processed now , E400s for the 56s and E200s ( Non electric ) for the 60s

I'm surprised GNE went with WrightBus for the X1 & X45 order then suddenly decided to revert back to ADL for this order.

Did WrightBus give GNE an incentive for their Daimler StreetDeck troubles?

Also, is the decker order firmly just enough for the 56 or do they have more in that we don't know about?

Will be interesting to see what happens to Deptford's B9TL too given they still have plenty of useful life in them. If they don't end up on the 20/20A, could see them the X5/X15 and 16/16A

You'd think with the agreements signed with both Wrightbus and Alexander Dennis over several years that more would be on order than what has been specified for the 56 and 60 at Deptford as let's be honest the large majority of the fleet is almost at an age of "Due For Withdrawal" given it's age and significant investment is required.

(Yesterday, 2:42 pm)L469 YVK wrote I'm surprised GNE went with WrightBus for the X1 & X45 order then suddenly decided to revert back to ADL for this order.

Did WrightBus give GNE an incentive for their Daimler StreetDeck troubles?

Also, is the decker order firmly just enough for the 56 or do they have more in that we don't know about?

Will be interesting to see what happens to Deptford's B9TL too given they still have plenty of useful life in them. If they don't end up on the 20/20A, could see them the X5/X15 and 16/16A

I could only see the Deptford B9s if they were to move to any other depot to replace the Durham Diamonds. X5/X15 are sorted with the recent additions of the former XLines X1 Streetdecks. Would of been a much different conversation months ago.

It is a shame that GNE have took so long to get back to Sunderland investments with the last being 2017 so 10 years ago for the Black Cats 2/2A with the Daimler Streetlites. They should get a good few extras for rthe 56/60 just so they can have some newer fresher vehicles around.

I wonder if Go North East will ever look into investing into any Evoras

I won't believe there's even an order until I see them on the road with 56/60 on the front. I don't see why GNE would even bother with Sunderland, they haven't done so for 10 years, why bother now?

(11 hours ago)d deanmachine wrote I won't believe there's even an order until I see them on the road with 56/60 on the front. I don't see why GNE would even bother with Sunderland, they haven't done so for 10 years, why bother now?

According to GNE, services 21 & 56 are the biggest revenue intakes, so this is one of the reasons of decent/new vehicles for these services.....and as for the current B9s they are upgrading the 20s to Deckers

(2 hours ago)Retro Nero wrote According to GNE, services 21 & 56 are the biggest revenue intakes, so this is one of the reasons of decent/new vehicles for these services.....and as for the current B9s they are upgrading the 20s to Deckers

Wonder where the Streetlites from the 20/20A will go?

(1 hour ago)Michael wrote Wonder where the Streetlites from the 20/20A will go?

They'll probably use those Streetlites to either replace the Citaros at Washington or to remove older Streetlites such as the Swindon ones. Don't know where else you could really throw them.

I suppose B9TLs on the 20/20A would make sense. All of GNE's 63 plate B9TL's (currently on the 56 & 307/309) will easily do 20 years frontline service and possibly more, given that chassis building is probably better these days compared to their elder Leyland & Volvo Olympian ancestors.

I could see the Cobalt ones (when EV's arrive) possibly even stepping in on the Tyne Valley Services given they're less leggy, and then those ones then going on something like the 51/52/93/94.