Just out of interest, is the X84/X85 a commercial venture? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand the 684 was operated on a NCC tender (as with all Tynedale Links routes)?
(10 Oct 2013, 9:51 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Passengers hanging back from a tynedale express at Eldon Square just earlier in favour of the 685.
Not many seats (majority 2x2) on the 685 as it pulled away
The 685 is more heavily used than the X84/X85. The 685 and X85 have both had reliability issues, but the 685 is defiantly worse.
(10 Oct 2013, 12:28 pm)Chris wrote [ -> ]Just out of interest, is the X84/X85 a commercial venture? Correct me if I'm wrong, but I understand the 684 was operated on a NCC tender (as with all Tynedale Links routes)?
I believe it is just the Sunday journeys on the X84 that are secured?
Likewise, the 0635 and 0720 Mon-Fri on the X85 from Hexham Dickson Drive to Hexham Bus Station? 1715 and 1815 journeys too, but only from Hexham to Hexham Dickson Drive (1808 and 1908 arrivals respectively)
(10 Oct 2013, 3:25 pm)W179SCU wrote [ -> ]The 685 is more heavily used than the X84/X85. The 685 and X85 have both had reliability issues, but the 685 is defiantly worse.
How has the X84/X85 been unreliable? I've not really seen any problems with it. The odd MPD has shown up, but Liam told us all what the trouble was with 5230 (?) when it first happened.
(10 Oct 2013, 4:10 pm)Daniel wrote [ -> ]I believe it is just the Sunday journeys on the X84 that are secured?
Likewise, the 0635 and 0720 Mon-Fri on the X85 from Hexham Dickson Drive to Hexham Bus Station? 1715 and 1815 journeys too, but only from Hexham to Hexham Dickson Drive (1808 and 1908 arrivals respectively)
How has the X84/X85 been unreliable? I've not really seen any problems with it. The odd MPD has shown up, but Liam told us all what the trouble was with 5230 (?) when it first happened.
They've been late a few times when I've saw them, but only 5-10 minutes.
(10 Oct 2013, 9:51 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Passengers hanging back from a tynedale express at Eldon Square just earlier in favour of the 685.
Not many seats (majority 2x2) on the 685 as it pulled away
Ironically, when I caught the X84 the other day, quite a number of people gave it a go and travelled all the way to Hexham. It was unusual to see the 10.45 westbound bus as lightly loaded on the 685.
(10 Oct 2013, 9:58 am)VolvoMarkII wrote [ -> ]Amen.
The 43 has had reliability issues for a few years.
Previous holders of commercial positions at Arriva never managed to sort it out either.
Couldn't agree more, but I do recall a spell after the Morpeth roadworks finished when the reliability did improve - did you use the route on a regular basis Volvo Mark II ?
I was speaking to one of the Arriva drivers who has said he's noticed a lot less people from Hexham to/from Newcastle after the X84/5 has been introduced.
On a similar note, Pulsar 1481 was seen working the 1045 Newcastle to Carlisle and then the 1407 back.
Sean
(10 Oct 2013, 9:39 pm)northern156 wrote [ -> ]I was speaking to one of the Arriva drivers who has said he's noticed a lot less people from Hexham to/from Newcastle after the X84/5 has been introduced.
On a similar note, Pulsar 1481 was seen working the 1045 Newcastle to Carlisle and then the 1407 back.
Sean
I'm guessing there'll be a growth in weeklies sold in Hexham now they have an express option to Newcastle other than having to use the 10
haha posted at the same time
(11 Oct 2013, 3:20 pm)W179SCU wrote [ -> ]Yeah 
- The more the merrier!
=D, least Arriva have started to ask, i don't live in the area's but I've taking a look.
its more about frequency etc than full changes.
PB0002032/466 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: REGENT CENTRE
Finish Point: NEWCASTLE AIRPORT
Via: FAWDEN, KINGSTON PARK, CALLERTON PARKWAY
Service Number: 900
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 13-OCT-2013
Other Details: To operate up to every 15 minuites on Sunday 13th October 2013 only Metro replacement
(11 Oct 2013, 3:22 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]=D, least Arriva have started to ask, i don't live in the area's but I've taking a look.
its more about frequency etc than full changes.
PB0002032/466 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: REGENT CENTRE
Finish Point: NEWCASTLE AIRPORT
Via: FAWDEN, KINGSTON PARK, CALLERTON PARKWAY
Service Number: 900
Service Type: Limited Stop
Effective Date: 13-OCT-2013
Other Details: To operate up to every 15 minuites on Sunday 13th October 2013 only Metro replacement
Most of the Teesside & East Cleveland network will be changing in February 2014. The information they get from these surveys should be put into what is already planned to see if any changes need to be made.
(11 Oct 2013, 3:30 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Most of the Teesside & East Cleveland network will be changing in February 2014. The information they get from these surveys should be put into what is already planned to see if any changes need to be made.
Could you possibly give us any idea of what these changes could be?
(11 Oct 2013, 3:43 pm)W179SCU wrote [ -> ]Could you possibly give us any idea of what these changes could be?
Not at the moment.
The worst kept secret in the world is they want to extend service X4 down to Whitby every half hour from Easington to give a coastal Middlesbrough-Whitby service via Redcar, Saltburn and Loftus in place of service 5 which would be curtailed at Easington. Several surveys have been taking place on buses over the last few months with regards to this.
There are 6 consultations being distributed on bus as well as these online versions (I've collected 2 so far...) which should help shape service changes in February 2014.
(11 Oct 2013, 3:52 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Not at the moment.
The worst kept secret in the world is they want to extend service X4 down to Whitby every half hour from Easington to give a coastal Middlesbrough-Whitby service via Redcar, Saltburn and Loftus in place of service 5 which would be curtailed at Easington. Several surveys have been taking place on buses over the last few months with regards to this.
There are 6 consultations being distributed on bus as well as these online versions (I've collected 2 so far...) which should help shape service changes in February 2014.
That could work, but it would be a hell of a long journey!
(11 Oct 2013, 4:02 pm)W179SCU wrote [ -> ]That could work, but it would be a hell of a long journey!
It's not designed as a Middlesbrough-Whitby service though just as the 5 isn't, any Whitby passengers would use the X93 which has been "upgraded" (and I use that loosely) with double deckers...
(08 Oct 2013, 4:25 pm)Daniel wrote [ -> ]A complete list of the fleet number to registration allocation:
Stockton [Arriva]:
Darlington [Sapphire]:- 1513 (NL63 VRG)
- 1514 (NL63 VRJ)
- 1515 (NL63 VRK)
- 1516 (NL63 VRM)
- 1517 (NL63 VRN)
- 1518 (NL63 VRO)
- 1519 (NL63 VPT)
- 1520 (NL63 VPU)
- 1521 (NL63 VPV)
Belmont [Sapphire]:- 1522 (NL63 VPW)
- 1523 (NL63 VVO)
1512 is reported to have arrived.
Arriva North East - Rare and Odd Workings Summary, Week Commencing 7th October 2013
If you spot any errors, PM me and I will change this ASAP.
Monday, 7th October 2013- DAF SB3000/Plaxton Prima 1213 (V213DJR) on service 55. (reported by citaro5284)
- Scania CN230UB/Scania Omnicity 4654 (NK05GXO) on the 28/30. (reported by W179SCU)
Tuesday, 8th October 2013
Wednesday, 9th October 2013- No reports, but 1402 and 1403 have been repainted into ''Quorum Express'' livery. (reported by mdw921)
Thursday, 10th October 2013- Volvo SB200/Wright Pulsar 1481 (NK61CYU) on service 685. (reported by northern156)
Friday, 11th October 2013
Saturday, 12th October 2013- ''NexusBus'' Optare Solo 2816 (YK08ETO) on service 53. (reported by W179SCU)
Sunday, 13th October 2013- Scania CN230UB/Scania Omnicity 4658 (NK05GXN) on services 631 and 632. (reported by tyresmoke)
- ''Best One'' branded Volvo SB200/Wright Pulsar 1406 (NK09BPU) on service X66. (reported by tyresmoke)
Can I ask everyone to report anything unusual or rare on here, so I can include it on this weekly report. Even if you don't think it is very unusual, still post it! If there isn't enough reports, I will have to withdraw this. Cheers!
We have to complete on a 3 monthly basis what route GNE Hybrids operate on as the Dft wants to know what we bid for is what the buses are being used for.
However, I see the Arriva 308 vehicles on loads of different services....X4, X5 and X10 mainly. How can this be allowed when they were given money from the Government to improve the 308 route?
(13 Oct 2013, 1:36 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]We have to complete on a 3 monthly basis what route GNE Hybrids operate on as the Dft wants to know what we bid for is what the buses are being used for.
However, I see the Arriva 308 vehicles on loads of different services....X4, X5 and X10 mainly. How can this be allowed when they were given money from the Government to improve the 308 route?
Yeah, totally agree! - I mean, it's not daily it happens, but quite a few times I've saw the Hybrids on the X10/X11.
It could simply be down to the fact that they're not suited for the 308 and therefore, they're putting the minimum amount they're getting away with on the 308 and using the rest for the Quorum Expresses, X10, X11 and X13 due to the fact that the timetables are less demanding than what the 308 timetable is. Also, the hybrids do tend to struggle on the slip roads on the Coast Road thus making it a struggle to keep to timetable plus the factor of constantly stopping and starting. The reason that they're suited for the Green Angel for though is because the 21 stops at nearly every single stop making them worthwhile for Go North East because the 21 doesn't require the power and speed as much as Arriva's 308 requires to keep to time.
(13 Oct 2013, 4:02 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote [ -> ]It could simply be down to the fact that they're not suited for the 308 and therefore, they're putting the minimum amount they're getting away with on the 308 and using the rest for the Quorum Expresses, X10, X11 and X13 due to the fact that the timetables are less demanding than what the 308 timetable is. Also, the hybrids do tend to struggle on the slip roads on the Coast Road thus making it a struggle to keep to timetable plus the factor of constantly stopping and starting. The reason that they're suited for the Green Angel for though is because the 21 stops at nearly every single stop making them worthwhile for Go North East because the 21 doesn't require the power and speed as much as Arriva's 308 requires to keep to time.
All of this is put into the bid, so if Hybrids were not suited for the 308, they should have received the money from the GBF
(13 Oct 2013, 1:07 pm)W179SCU wrote [ -> ]Arriva North East - Rare and Odd Workings Summary, Week Commencing 7th October 2013
If you spot any errors, PM me and I will change this ASAP.
Monday, 7th October 2013- DAF SB3000/Plaxton Prima 1213 (V213DJR) on service 55 (reported by citaro5284)
- Scania CN230UB/Scania Omnicity 4654 (NK05GXO) on the 28/30 (W179SCU)
Tuesday, 8th October 2013
Wednesday, 9th October 2013- No reports, but 1402 and 1403 have been repainted into ''Quorum Express'' livery (mdw921)
Thursday, 10th October 2013- Volvo SB200/Wright Pulsar 1481 (NK61CYU) on service 685 (northern156)
Friday, 11th October 2013
Saturday, 12th October 2013- ''NexusBus'' Optare Solo 2816 (YK08ETO) on service 53 (W179SCU)
Sunday, 13th October 2013
Can I ask everyone to report anything unusual or rare on here, so I can include it on this weekly report. Even if you don't think it is very unusual, still post it! If there isn't enough reports, I will have to withdraw this. Cheers!
4658 worked some 631/2s this afternoon - couldnt tell you who was responsible though
(13 Oct 2013, 4:40 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]4658 worked some 631/2s this afternoon - couldnt tell you who was responsible though
I'll add that to the list
(13 Oct 2013, 4:40 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]4658 worked some 631/2s this afternoon - couldnt tell you who was responsible though
Now now Scott, there was more than that from
Stockton today
(13 Oct 2013, 4:52 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Now now Scott, there was more than that from
Stockton today
To be fair Sunday is a day of anything goes at Stockton...
1406 on the X66 stood out though from Darlo
(13 Oct 2013, 4:59 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]To be fair Sunday is a day of anything goes at Stockton...
1406 on the X66 stood out though from Darlo
1406 on the X66 is odd for a Sunday, is it?
(13 Oct 2013, 5:00 pm)W179SCU wrote [ -> ]1406 on the X66 is odd for a Sunday, is it?
It's branded for X1 'The Best One' so is unusual any time
Should be based at Bishop Auckland...
Temsa 4702 on service 5 again today, its been at Whitby all week though.