Hi everyone, just wanted to share a recent experience from this afternoon to raise awareness and help keep people safe while out spotting.

While taking photos of buses, I was followed from Sunderland Road into Gateshead Town Centre by individuals from Shomrim. For clarity, Shomrim are a volunteer security / neighbourhood patrol group who support and look after the Jewish community.

There were four individuals, all communicating with each other (including via mobile phones), who followed me across multiple locations. I attempted on four separate occasions to disengage and asked to be left alone, after briefly explaining I was a transport enthusiast. Despite this, they continued to follow and confront me, eventually surrounding me, which caused alarm and made me feel unsafe.

Police (Northumbria Police) were contacted, attended, and confirmed I was acting within my rights and allowed me to continue my day. They also spoke to the individuals involved separately.

? Key reminders for all spotters:

✔️ Photography in public is legal
You are well within your rights to photograph buses in public spaces across the UK.

✔️ You do NOT have to show or delete your photos
Only police have limited powers in certain situations—not volunteer patrol groups or members of the public.

✔️ You are not required to stop or engage
You can politely refuse and walk away if approached.

✔️ Keep interactions brief and calm
A simple line like:
“I’m a transport enthusiast taking photos in public”
…is enough. Avoid arguments.

✔️ Do not be intimidated by numbers or persistence
Even if multiple people approach you, they have no additional powers.

✔️ Trust your instincts
If something feels off, remove yourself from the situation early.

✔️ Stay in safe, public areas
Use busy locations, shops, or transport hubs if you feel uncomfortable.

✔️ Contact police if needed
Call 101 for non-emergencies or 999 if you feel threatened, followed, or unsafe.

✔️ Log and report incidents
Make a note of times, locations, and descriptions—this helps build a picture if behaviour is repeated.

⚠️ Take seriously if:
You are being followed between locations
You are repeatedly approached after refusing
You are surrounded or feel intimidated

This is NOT normal and should be reported.

Sharing this so others are aware—not to cause concern. Bus spotting is a completely normal hobby, and everyone should feel safe doing it.

Stay safe ?

Has anyone been and attended this year?

 I was going to go today but weather has put a stop to that, I believe the A66 is closed at Scotch Corner. If it is, wondering how much of an effect it has had on attendees, both entrants and public?

10th May 2026:

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB10 East Stanley Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 62 (62A) Doxford International Pennywell

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB1 Blackhill Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB2 Bridgehill Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB4 Shotley Bridge Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB5 Consett Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB8 Stanley Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB9 Stanley Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X10 Newcastle Peterlee

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X10 Peterlee Middlesbrough

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 32 Low Moorsley Sunderland Docks

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 20 (20A) Durham Sunderland

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB3 Medomsley Edge Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 6 Lanchester Newcastle

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED 65 Seaham Durham

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB6 Rowlands Gill Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED SB7 Castleside Lanchester St Bede's Catholic School & Sixth Form College

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X20 Sunderland Durham

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X31 (X30, X32) Stanley Newcastle

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X71 (X71A) Newcastle Consett

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Variation GO NORTH EAST LIMITED X1 (X1A, X1B) Newcastle Peterlee

The £2.5M Revamp of Stanley Bus Station is set to begin from April 7th

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/c0e74gxyj3go

Stagecoach Newcastle (Slatyford and Walkergate) are in pay negotiations again as of 26th March 2026. The company have offered a deal of a total percentage increase of 7% by June 2027. 

The deal is a 2 year deal with the first increase being from April 2026 a 2.8% increase, a further 1.25% increase in November 2026 and then a final 2.95% increase from June 2027 putting the final hourly rate at £16.88. 

Voting on this deal is happening on 22nd April 2026. Let’s hope it doesn’t lead to strike action again.

I know about LinkUp and U Call, have there been any other examples of DRT or Rideshare schemes up here.

We’re planning timetable changes for a number of services across Sunderland, Washington, Hexham and Gateshead due to come into effect on Sunday 10th May 2026.

https://www.gonortheast.co.uk/share-your...r-services

Services up for tender in July are

9/25/25A/10/11/12/24/26/29/90/92/R3/R4/R6/50/51/52AM/51/52PM/96/99/319/515/558/568/643/939/R5/67/69

Some of the odd ones here as to the website the following are

51/52 seem to be two different tenders for an AM & PM

The 939 is mentioned twice

Im not entirely sure which 12 they are on about. I thought it was the 12 in South Shields but thats in may as its grouped with the 13

The 67/69 dont share a contract but im not sure its always been the case or not

No 644 so im assuming thats commercially ran by GNE

Also im not sure which part of the 9 is nexus as it interworks with the 8

Services up for tender in May are

8/12/13/32/35/36/79/82/82A/168/520/594/935

Information from the Radio 1 big weekend shuttles are available to read on the Sunderland City Council website 

Timetable will be available from 6th March

3 locations are available for the shuttles 

These being 

Durham (Belmont Park & Ride)
Sunderland (Park Lane Interchange)
Gateshead (Heworth Interchange)

Additional shuttles service will operate between Durhams other Park and ride sites Howlands & Sniperley

Regional Coaches will be available for return journeys from 23 location across the North East Combined Authority & Tees Valley Combined Authority