You can still buy the E400, you dont "have to" go for the MMC variation.

You cant, I believe the production line for original's has closed, There might still be some as Dealer Stock waiting for a buyer however.

MMC / MMCcity are now the only E400s available to order.

You cant, I believe the production line for original's has closed, There might still be some as Dealer Stock waiting for a buyer however.

MMC / MMCcity are now the only E400s available to order.

The E400H is still available according to the Alexander Dennis Website:
http://www.alexander-dennis.com/products/enviro400h/

Would be no good for the X21/X22 though.

I must say and I know it has no relevant to previous comments but I think arriva should repaint 2837 back into arriva livery as it is always on another service even at the times its supposed to be on its respected route,

I'd argue that there isn't a great deal of difference between the E400 and E400 MMC cosmetically, at least the average passenger will barely notice. Let's not forget that the batches currently on there are hardly identical either.

What would you propose as a suitable spare?

Yes I quite agree. So long as they're all Sapphires the passengers wouldn't give a toss.

I must say and I know it has no relevant to previous comments but I think arriva should repaint 2837 back into arriva livery as it is always on another service even at the times its supposed to be on its respected route,

Better than having a bus, blatantly surplus, in a depot all day. Just because it's painted pink. 

I could be wrong, but I think 2837 works off another service before and after working the 555. Of course, that service is prone to regulation, breakdowns etc. 

As for "its always on another service even at the times it's supposed to be on its respected route", I have been to the Benton area at least once a week in the past months and never seen anything other than 2837 on the 555... 

I see that Yorkshire are getting 37 new E400s over the next few months, replacing their 24 Spectra's and 13 Optare Tempos. The Tempo's were rumoured to be heading north last year, and the same seems to have surfaced this time. I'll leave you all to speculate on where they could go. There's 13 but could be getting split between NE & Tiger....

Didn't the Tempos get Maxed when they decided to hang on to them?

Didn't the Tempos get Maxed when they decided to hang on to them?

Tempos are still in Arriva Interurban livery.

Tempos are still in Arriva Interurban livery.

When they were speculated first time around they were rumoured to be for the 52/53 at Jesmond. 
Suggestion is that the 306 StreetLites are lined up to take that role this time around.

i didn't say both will happen. I meant to say if 7416 stays at ashington then 7472 with be withdrawn as one of the mechanics said it is almost unfit for service. but if 7416 goes then they may have to make an exception to stay in service as ashington depot will be a bus short

Further to this, 7472 is moving to Blyth depot as of Sunday. 7416 will therefore, presumably, be staying at Ashington for the foreseeable future.

Better than having a bus, blatantly surplus, in a depot all day. Just because it's painted pink. 

I could be wrong, but I think 2837 works off another service before and after working the 555. Of course, that service is prone to regulation, breakdowns etc. 

As for "its always on another service even at the times it's supposed to be on its respected route", I have been to the Benton area at least once a week in the past months and never seen anything other than 2837 on the 555... 

I work in Quorum and I'd say it's on 8 out of 10 times.

Funnily enough there was a 46 branded Solo and a plain white Solo on today and yesterday.

Driver is a lovely bloke. Loves his job, great with regulars and works Monday to Friday. Can't blame him.

I could be wrong, but I think 2837 works off another service before and after working the 555. Of course, that service is prone to regulation, breakdowns etc. 

Used to work the H1/H2 between 555s - until they were replaced by the 58.

So, in effect, 2837 is spare during the day

Interests from the latest Arriva movements show:
- 1581 Ashington to Jesmond for the start of service upgrades
- 2870/71 repaint at Thorntons
- 7425 Redcar to Blyth
- 7472 Ashington to Blyth
- 7484 Jesmond to Ashington
- 7801/2, 1419/81 at Thorntons for MAX refurb

Is this the 306 and 308 going MAX then? 306 with Pulsars and 308 with B5LH? If so then its another strange choice of route to upgrade. Not exactly express routes and in my opinion dilutes the MAX brand. Shame really as I like the eco green livery on 7801 -7810. I guess if the upgrade includes USB chargers then it is an improvement for passengers but otherwise I just think this is unnecessary as both routes have wifi anyway and the 306 Streetlites currently used allready have the leather seats.

Interests from the latest Arriva movements show:
- 1581 Ashington to Jesmond for the start of service upgrades
- 2870/71 repaint at Thorntons
- 7425 Redcar to Blyth
- 7472 Ashington to Blyth
- 7484 Jesmond to Ashington
- 7801/2, 1419/81 at Thorntons for MAX refurb

what is going to replace 1581 on the 35?

Is this the 306 and 308 going MAX then? 306 with Pulsars and 308 with B5LH? If so then its another strange choice of route to upgrade. Not exactly express routes and in my opinion dilutes the MAX brand. Shame really as I like the eco green livery on 7801 -7810. I guess if the upgrade includes USB chargers then it is an improvement for passengers but otherwise I just think this is unnecessary as both routes have wifi anyway and the 306 Streetlites currently used allready have the leather seats.

Yeah they're being MAX'd out. Agree with your MAX dilution comment though, it was original formed for the NE express routes, other division have taken it on without the 'MAX' in mind and now the NE are going against their own brand....  - but it has introduced passenger growth in the past on paper like Frequenta.

I'm unsure as to why we're seeing an Ashington Streetlite movement...

what is going to replace 1581 on the 35?

7484

---

I'm unsure as to why we're seeing an Ashington Streetlite movement...

I believe the reasoning given behind the 35 reducing to every 20 minutes was due to most boards converting to DD operation.

Bit of a farce really. What's the point of renumbering the 75/6 to X75/6 etc in order to make it a Max route when they can then make the 306 and 308 Max?!

Has the grant ran out for (supposedly) using the hybrids on the 308?

Apparently the X20 service is no longer running through Broomhill as of next week

Apparently the X20 service is no longer running through Broomhill as of next week

That is correct. Details of service changes can be found in this thread: Arriva North East: Upcoming Service Changes
While details regarding the service changes involving the X20 can be found here.

Interests from the latest Arriva movements show:
- 1581 Ashington to Jesmond for the start of service upgrades
- 2870/71 repaint at Thorntons
- 7425 Redcar to Blyth
- 7472 Ashington to Blyth
- 7484 Jesmond to Ashington
- 7801/2, 1419/81 at Thorntons for MAX refurb

A slight delayed response but Why is 7425 moving to Blyth? why are 2870/1 being repainted?

A slight delayed response but Why is 7425 moving to Blyth? why are 2870/1 being repainted?

7425 is just an extra bus during the MAX refurbs, just temporary.
Suspect the Solos are getting painted out of Nexus colours into corporate livery.

Yeah they're being MAX'd out. Agree with your MAX dilution comment though, it was original formed for the NE express routes, other division have taken it on without the 'MAX' in mind and now the NE are going against their own brand....  - but it has introduced passenger growth in the past on paper like Frequenta.

I'm unsure as to why we're seeing an Ashington Streetlite movement...

Totally agree. I also don't see the point of MAX or Sapphire if both are going to offer similar features to each other.

However, could the 306 / 308 not just end up going a Cross Pennine and whilst using the base features of MAX (or Sapphire for that matter), actually just retain their identity of the 'Coastliner'?

Still don't see how they can attract further growth on the 308 and in terms of Battle Hill for the 306, whilst Arriva have the edge with a slightly later bus from Newcastle at 23:25 instead of 23:15, they don't offer 11 buses per hour (8 from Haymarket) during Monday to Saturday and 7 (4 from Haymarket) on Sundays and Bank Holidays.

Surprised that Arriva still haven't dipped their toe in for a 'Pronto' style express that runs akin to the 308 but only serving the major stops between Billy Mill and Newcastle running every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday. Although the 44 struggled in the end, the only problem with the 44 was Marden, New York and Norham Road. If the 44 had've ran via Lynn Road and Billy Mill instead, it would've justified the costs of running it. Although the 308 is OK, would a faster service particularly during the peak times not attract more passengers?

So the 306/308 are going MAX, I bet Arriva will renumbered them the X36/X38

7425 is just an extra bus during the MAX refurbs, just temporary.
Suspect the Solos are getting painted out of Nexus colours into corporate livery.

ah ok didn't realise there was any buses still in nexus livery

ah ok didn't realise there was any buses still in nexus livery

2601 is also still in Nexus colours. Trouble with getting that one painted is that there's nothing else in the fleet to work the 6 while it is at Thorntons.

So the 306/308 are going MAX, I bet Arriva will renumbered them the X36/X38

 

Haha, probably! Although, would Arriva actually miss any stops out?

P.s, Dan / Citaro, if you have any ex B&H deckers spare, here's a few taglines:

- I might have had better days down the seaside but I can get you into town in no time at 'MAX'imum speed (excuse the rattles / hard seats though).
- 'MIN'imum stops, 'MIN'inmal fuss, 'MAX'imum speed.
- No time for Insta, Snapchat, Facey on here due to our fast journeys! (but feel free at your own leisure)

 

Haha, probably! Although, would Arriva actually miss any stops out?

P.s, Dan / Citaro, if you have any ex B&H deckers spare, here's a few taglines:

- I might have had better days down the seaside but I can get you into town in no time at 'MAX'imum speed (excuse the rattles / hard seats though).
- 'MIN'imum stops, 'MIN'inmal fuss, 'MAX'imum speed.
- No time for Insta, Snapchat, Facey on here due to our fast journeys! (but feel free at your own leisure)

Dunno about anyone else, but I've missed those catchy taglines! I even gave out a little cheer when I read your post!

Dunno about anyone else, but I've missed those catchy taglines! I even gave out a little cheer when I read your post!

I always found "Extend Your Horizons" excellent on the X10......

MAX is more intended to upgrade interurban routes these days rather than express routes as such. The X46 isn't an express, stopping at all stops between Durham & Crook (/Stanhope). The growth figures being seen across the network on services already upgraded would lead me to think that this will become the minimum specification across most routes, barring those already branded in other brands such as Sapphire. There's limited scope to expand the Frequenta brand for example but there will be expansion of Sapphire this year I am sure.

MAX is more intended to upgrade interurban routes these days rather than express routes as such. The X46 isn't an express, stopping at all stops between Durham & Crook (/Stanhope). The growth figures being seen across the network on services already upgraded would lead me to think that this will become the minimum specification across most routes, barring those already branded in other brands such as Sapphire. There's limited scope to expand the Frequenta brand for example but there will be expansion of Sapphire this year I am sure.

Which begs the question about strategies that could be used to grow the business in the future.
I'm not against upgrades (they dont always excite me as they excite others), but if Max is going to essentially be a minimum spec - what other methods are there to excite and draw passengers in?
We already see the wifi, charging points, pleather seats and funky lighting, with tables and 2x 1 seating becoming a feature with some operators.