Stagecoach Busways is the main bus operator in South Shields. Formerly South Shields Corporation, it became part of Tyneside (later Tyne and Wear) PTE in the early 1970s, and it's blue liveried buses were gradually painted yellow and white with blue lining, a variation on the Newcastle Corporation colours.
Upon deregulation in 1986, the PTE's bus operations were named Busways, with the branding 'South Shields Busways' being adopted for the town's vehicles. A proportion of vehicles were painted in maroon and cream in a revival of the Economic branding for the re-numbered South Shields - Sunderland services E1 and E2. Soon after a management buy out seperated Busways from the PTE for good.
In 1994 Busways was taken over by the giant firm Stagecoach, and despite retaining the yellow livery for a time, the decision was taken to repaint the fleet in Stagecoach white with stripes. Stagecoach have begun a programme of fleet renewal, with new Volvo Olympians and Dennis Darts replacing the familiar Leyland Atlanteans, the last examples of which have served South Shields for twenty years.
The Stagecoach depot is still at the old tram-sheds at Chichester, along with the main offices and travel-centre.

Some current Stagecoach Busways vehicles
Long-serving Alexander-bodied Leyland Atlantean no. 287. This bus was bought new by Tyne and Wear PTE and has spent all its working life in South Shields.
Atlantean No. 283, from 1978, in the Market Place. Apart from some early examples, the PTE always specified long-wheelbase Atlanteans, like Newcastle Corporation before it. It would be a great shame if none of these superb vehicles were saved from the scrapyard.
A welcome visitor to South Shields has been this 1977 Daimler Fleetline, OCU 818R, transferred from Sunderland in February 1998.
An Alexander-bodied Dennis Dart ordered by Busways, from the first batch of Darts to arrive. The old Town Hall can be seen behind.
A later Dennis Dart 1743 (L743 VNL), seen in the Market Place. These buses were not new to South Shields, being transferred in from Newcastle and Sunderland.
One of the Plaxton-bodied Darts, no. 1759, delivered new to South Shields. A similar Dart and a Wear Buses ECW-bodied Olympian are also in view.
Another Plaxton Dart. Dennis Darts now provide the majority of services in South Shields. 1757 (L757 VNL) is laying over in the Market Place. Soon, all buses will observe new stops on Chapter Row and the Market Place will be bus-free.
126 (H126 ACU), one of two coach-seated Leyland Lynxes which arrived in 1990. These buses are weekend regulars on express service M42 to the MetroCentre.
One of the recent Alexander Dennis Darts delivered direct to South Shields. These vehicles are to Stagecoach specification and have electronic front, rear and side destination blinds. It is on route X34 to Newcastle, which was introduced in March 1998, when for the first time the three operating divisions of Busways had a connection between them. 1791 (P791 WVK) is seen in Harton Village.
A 1987 Leyland Lynx in the Market Place. These were the first new single deckers bought by Busways and its predecessors for South Shields since 1971.
The last bus still sporting Economic livery is Atlantean 270 (SCN 270S). The revival of this colour scheme lasted ten years, and even some of South Shields first batch of Dennis Darts were delivered in the livery. Atlanteans are seldom seen on Economic routes today, with Olympians and Darts holding sway.
A recent transfer in from Sunderland depot is 1101 (R101 KRG), a Dennis Dart SLF Alexander ALX200 bodywork. It is South Shields' first low floor bus, and has route branding for Services 18 amd 18A.
Leyland Lynx 115 (F115 HVK) is seen at the Market on service 18. Many Lynxes have recently been transferred to South Shields from Sunderland, and had external bodywork modifications. This one is still in original condition.
Mercedes-Benz minibuses provide service on routes 1, 2, 10&10A, 11&11A, 13A, 14A and 500. Many of these Reeve-Burgess bodied examples retain Busways livery. Busways and Stagecoach have tried many builders' minibuses but none have been as successful or long-lasting as these. Number 1454 is seen at the Nook.
A typical Stagecoach-ordered double-decker, these Volvo Olympians are usually seen on heavily-loaded Economic services E1 and E2 to Sunderland. 740 is seen in Keppel Street with a VFM Buses Roe-bodied Atlantean behind.
Fleetline 818 (see above) was later joined by 838 (RCU 838S) from Sunderland. It has never received the correct South Shields depot destination blinds. It is on en-route for Whiteleas on the 17. This view shows the rare near-side staircase specified by Tyne and Wear PTE (and Newcastle Corporation) for a time.
This Atlantean, 215 (EJR 115W), has recently joined the South Shields fleet from Newcastle. It was one of the last Atlanteans to be delivered to the PTE, and contained semi-coach seating on delivery. It is captured at the Market on route 18A to Brockley Whins, originally introduced as a Catch-a-Bus 'spoiler' service.
Fifteen Northern Counties bodied Olympians arrived in 1990. Most were allocated to Sunderland, but two are at South Shields mostly on Economic services E1 and E2. 675 (H675 BNL) is about to leave the Market for Sunderland on the E1.
Many Stagecoach and Go Coastline buses work Gypsies Green - Heworth/Newcastle shuttles to ferry Great North Run competitors back to Newcastle. 735 (N735 LTN) is on such a duty in this picture taken at the Coast, during 1998's Run.
The Stagecoach driver trainer can often be seen around South Shields. It is pictured at 1998's MetroCentre bus rally. If has any information about this vehicle I would be glad to add it to these pages.
Alexander-bodied Altantean 287 (UVK 287T) laying over at the Market Place
Another bus running in Newcastle Busways colours in South Shields is 248 (SCN 248S), albeit one which started its life in the town. It is picking up on Boldon Lane.
Ex-Sunderland Busways Daimler Fleetline 838 (RCU 838S) passes Northern Counties bodied Olympian 675 (H675 BNL) in the Market Place

Services operated by Stagecoach Busways in South Shields are:

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