Just curious does anyone know where the government grants went in terms of upgrading buses to Euro 6 in the North East never seen it mentioned anyway but I believe the following have been confirmed:

• GNE 5/50/50A Omnicities
  
• GNE 56, 309/310/311, X1 B9TL's
  
• Arriva 306 Pulsars
  
• Arriva 308 Geminis
  
• Arriva 52/53/54 Streetlites
  

Does anyone know what else has been done as I believe there was funding for roughly 200 buses in Tyneside over 2 years, I'm guessing more at Arriva Jesmond and Blyth depots, GNE Riverside depot and Stagecoach's Walkergate and Slatyford depots

This just popped into my head. Would be surprised if anything was ordered for the NE anytime soon but if Arriva do order late this year / next year..........I could perhaps see the X93 getting new E400MMCs (ZF). 

Given the recent events affecting everywhere globally and other reasons why people perhaps might not go abroad and opt for a 'staycation', the X93 would be the perfect route in terms of growth and attracting tourists.

The B9TLs with 2x kept as 'NE floats' could then be sent to Ashington for the X14 or X20 allowing older E400s to be cascaded down and older double deck vehicles to be withdrawn.

Go North East has revealed a teaser of its latest campaign: Voltra.

https://twitter.com/gonortheast/status/1...6210831364

Is their any updates as to when the Red Arrows B9's will be going for refurb now that half of the Streetdecks have entered service on the X1?

Also is their any further plans to refurb more Versas in-house like they did with 8319?

I've heard a rumor (and just a rumor) that EE have leased / purchased a new building in Quorum Business Park.

If true, great news for the Quorum services but less so for the Cobalt routes if EE moves taking into account that even though Sage is due to move from Great Park soon, that's practically the shortfall made up from Utilitywise going.

Well, credit to the original uploader for this. A very rare photo of when some of ex Arriva 7370-7377 were based at Blyth depot. Still got childhood memories of these on the 308 in the exact same livery with parts of the '602' branding applied.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/tcd481j/48907664838/

Seen the Routemaster on its PM journey today heading past the Angel towards Gateshead. 

It had quite a busy load from what I could see. Interesting to know how many passengers were
A - service 21 usual passengers
B - Bus enthusiasts making a predetermined journey specifically for this bus
C - Day to Day passengers with usually no interest in buses but making a predetermined journey specifically for this bus.

I shall be in Middlesbrough and east Yorkshire next week. I am hoping to ride a MAX Volvo B9TL on route X93 or X94 from Middlesbrough through to Scarborough. I am willing to catch route X4 to Whitby and connect with a Volvo B9TL there if it makes all the difference. Mind you, it might not as route X4 takes so much longer to reach Whitby.

Looking on Flickr, I have seen occasional other buses from Redcar garage on route X93. My most likely buses are the 8.50 X94, 9.20 X93 or 9.50 X94 from Middlesbrough.

As far as any of you know, is one of the above journeys definitely operated by Whitby garage and therefore (barring anything unforeseen) a Volvo B9TL?

I thank any of you who can let me know!

Pictured yesterday leaving Haymarket (presumably on staff shuttles) is Dawson Rentals' ADL Enviro200MMC YX18 KNM.

On hire to Arriva North East shown in the side window.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/50330957433

? OPEN-TOP AD122 ?

From tomorrow, we'll be running an open-top bus on our AD122 route. Why not sit back, relax and explore the sights and delights of Hadrian's Wall with us?

Find out more about AD122: www.gonortheast.co.uk/ad122