GMCA are currently consulting on a proposed franchising scheme for Greater Manchester. I believe it'd be the first of its kind under the legislation brought in by the Buses Act, and I'd imagine other PTE/PTAs are keeping a close eye on this one: https://www.gmconsult.org/strategy-team/...sultation/

There are five days left in the consultation.

Stagecoach North East: Rare & Odd Workings - January 2020

Arriva North East: Rare & Odd Workings - January 2020

(23 Dec 2019, 10:06 pm)Youngymmv wrote Forgive my ignorance but do all services from slatyford and walkergate actually go into Newcastle city centre where the LEZ is. Can’t see them making sure every bus in depots meet the criteria if they don’t need to be. like South Shields only using certain buses on 10/11 as contract specific engine requirements.

Kind regards

Chris

According to the below article the LEZ may cover parts of Newcastle, Gateshead and North Tyneside and states that buses will all need to be Euro 6 to avoid the £50 charge. Only Newcastle City Council have revealed where their Clean Air Zone will be.

At the moment only ADL E400 10000, ADL E400 MMCs 10631-54 & 11281-99/501-3, ADL E200 MMCs 26063-80 and MAN E300s 24101-15 will avoid the charge. I assume the following Euro 5 vehicles will be upgraded - ADL E400Hs 12061-86, ADL E400s 19641-47 & 19670-83, ADL E300s 27724 & 25 and ADL E200s 36468-77. But I cannot see the point in upgrading the remaining older Euro 3 & Euro 4 vehicles as these will be nearing the end of their lives on mainstream services anyway. I assume these - all remaining MAN ALX300s; ex-Scotland Scania OmniLinks 24001-3, MAN E300s & Kinetics; MAN E200s 39723-32; and the 193** & 194** ADL E400s could be withdrawn, replaced or swapped by the end of the year.

https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/nor...gD0WRfqrJA

(31 Dec 2019, 5:15 pm)Stanleyone wrote I think if it’s a success, which I think it will, then it probably will get extended. Time will tell.

If the 24 hour ticket is a success, I wonder if they'll roll it out for all GoZone tickets.
Most people probably don't need an All Zone ticket, and although it's still cheaper than buying 2 single zone day tickets, I think £8.50 is probably going to put a lot of people off from using it, especially if they aren't using the bus already to travel to work

(31 Dec 2019, 9:42 pm)tyresmoke wrote 1759 has transferred permanently to Darlington in place of 2863 which is now a Redcar (for Whitby) vehicle

Think 2850 & 2851 are transferring to Belmont for the increased PVR on the 57/57A as a result of Scarlet Band giving up the 58/58A

PB0003954/1100 Cancelled
GO NORTH EAST LIMITED
Route: Metrocentre to Lanchester
Service number: M6 (M8, 836)
Service type: Hail & Ride, Normal Stopping
Effective date: 26 Jan 2020

PB0003954/1096 Cancelled
GO NORTH EAST LIMITED
Route: Whickham Front Street to Whickham Front Street
Service number: 197 ()
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 26 Jan 2020

PB0003954/1075 Cancelled
GO NORTH EAST LIMITED
Route: Newcastle, Eldon Square to Tinddale Crescent
Service number: X21 ()
Service type: Limited Stop, Normal Stopping
Effective date: 26 Jan 2020

PB0003954/685 Cancelled
GO NORTH EAST LIMITED
Route: Hadrian Park, The Bush to Wardley, Sunderland Road
Service number: 57 (57)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 26 Jan 2020

(27 Nov 2019, 1:58 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Steven Knight Media reporting that WN69FYO (and presumably the other new examples reportedly due for Tees Valley DRT) is a Sprinter 516 CDi, rather than the Sprinter City 45 model Stagecoach currently own as 44001-30. He also reports the start date for the DRT as January (rather than the originally expected December).

Further examples so far include WN69FYP and WR69ORS. FYO/P were used for a photoshoot as part of their delivery - https://cbwmagazine.com/stagecoach-north...eHSN_gSAp0
As in the photo, the new examples are EVM Cityline examples as per the Go North East examples.

Having used this numerous times I can't help but think it's time for new buses for it. Uncomfortable bendy buses on route 2 is the norm and an occasional l94.

Does the council purchase the buses or does First?

The E1/E2/E6 is being ran by Gas Buses today.

Fleet Numbers 28007/13/14/24/27/33/38/39/40 according to Bus Times.