In spring 2003, a new depot was opened in Walkergate, at a cost of £6.5 million. It replaced the former depot of Newcastle Corporation Tramways in Byker – the site of which has subsequently been redeveloped.[2][3]
In July 2005, the company commenced operation of a five-year contract for the QuayLink network of services in Gateshead and Newcastle upon Tyne. Award of the contract saw the introduction of a fleet of ten single-deck Designline Olymbus turbine-electric hybrid buses – a project costing £7.7 million.[4]
In October 2011, a total of 26 double-deck diesel-hybrid Alexander Dennis Enviro400H buses were introduced in Newcastle on high-frequency services 39 and 40. Investment totalled £7.2 million, with £2.2 million from the Government's Green Bus Fund.[5][6][7]
From February 2014, a fleet of 40 gas-powered Alexander Dennis Enviro300 were introduced on a series of routes in Sunderland – a project totalling £8 million.[8][9][10]
In September 2018, weekend night bus services were introduced on five routes (N1, N30, N39, N40 & N88) in Newcastle upon Tyne.[11] In July 2019, the services were withdrawn due to low usage.
In the same month, the company registered a small network in Darlington, with operations commencing in November 1994. The company became a key participant in the Darlington Bus War. The following month, Stagecoach Group acquired Hartlepool Transport.[12]
Darlington Transport Company refused to sell to Stagecoach Group, with a subsequent inquiry by the Monopolies and Mergers Commission concluding that the actions of Busways were a "contributing factor" in the company's collapse.[12]
In August 2007, the group's operations in Darlington were transferred to Arriva North East. Following the takeover, a total of 28 vehicles and 78 drivers were transferred.[15][16][17]
In January 2022, with subsidy from the Tees Valley Combined Authority, Stagecoach launched a service between Middlesbrough and Teesport, which aims to assist with employment opportunities in the area.[18][19]
In September 2023, Stagecoach returned to Darlington, following the award of the contract for services 6 & 6A, linking Hurworth-on-Tees, Yarm and Stockton-on-Tees with Darlington and Teesside International Airport. The services provide a replacement for Arriva North East's 12 service, which was withdrawn the month prior.[20][21]
Tees Flex
Since February 2020, the boroughs of Darlington, Hartlepool, Middlesbrough, Redcar and Cleveland and Stockton-on-Tees have been served by the Tees Flex demand-responsive network – a three-year project valued at £3 million. Passengers can pre-book a bus by app, website or telephone, requesting pick-up and drop-off points within the serviced area, as well as destinations such as hospitals and train stations outside of the area. The network is served by a dedicated fleet of nine 16-seater Mercedes-Benz Sprinter minibuses, branded in a blue livery.[22][23][24][25]
As of April 2019, the fleet consists of 437 buses. The fleet consists mainly of diesel-powered single and double-deck buses manufactured by Alexander Dennis.
Branding
Fleet livery: past and present
The current standard fleet livery was revealed in January 2020, and consists of vehicles branded in a white base with blue, green and orange swirls, featuring the company's updated logo.[26][27] The former standard fleet livery was introduced over twenty years prior, and consisted of vehicles painted in a white base, with a blue skirt, and red and orange swoops.[28]