North East Buses

(07 Aug 2014, 9:23 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Have all of Stocktons Streetlites been delivered?

Yes they're all stored at Jesmond/Thorntons I believe. 1550 was picked up this morning and arrived around 1055. Engineering have it at present then it will be used for driver familiarisation from next week.

(07 Aug 2014, 9:24 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Yes they're all stored at Jesmond/Thorntons I believe. 1550 was picked up this morning and arrived around 1055. Engineering have it at present then it will be used for driver familiarisation from next week.

When is the Sapphire launch due to be for Stockton, since they've all been delivered could it be moved forward?

(07 Aug 2014, 9:26 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]When is the Sapphire launch due to be for Stockton, since they've all been delivered could it be moved forward?

Mid September. They're all booked dates as the same launch team is going around doing them all. Derby are next up this weekend I think.

(07 Aug 2014, 9:59 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Mid September. They're all booked dates as the same launch team is going around doing them all. Derby are next up this weekend I think.

Will the Sapphire be launched on the X3/X3A/X4 at the same time as the 5/5A.

(07 Aug 2014, 10:05 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Will the Sapphire be launched on the X3/X3A/X4 at the same time as the 5/5A.

5/5A launch mid September, X3/X3A/X4/4 launch in October

Just a suggestion, as Ashington seem to be struggling with one Sapphire spare would it be possible for a Pulsar to be refurbished as it would be cheaper than another E400. Also, when not needed it could be used on either of the MAX services if one of those vehicles were off the road?

(07 Aug 2014, 10:05 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Will the Sapphire be launched on the X3/X3A/X4 at the same time as the 5/5A.

Should have been the same date for maximum impact, but when did Arriva ever take the sensible option?

(08 Aug 2014, 11:33 am)Roland Pratt wrote [ -> ]Should have been the same date for maximum impact, but when did Arriva ever take the sensible option?

I think it would have been a good idea to do both on the same day because they cross routes in places and in the month they'll be on the 5/5A in the places where they cross routes people will assume its the 5/5A

(08 Aug 2014, 11:33 am)Roland Pratt wrote [ -> ]Should have been the same date for maximum impact, but when did Arriva ever take the sensible option?

It also depends on how fast the vehicles can be delivered, plus the logistics behind the scenes I expect.

Why sit the buses until October when Stockton are ready to go?

Could Blyth loan Ashington a MAX Gemini until they get their E400's sorted out, just so that all buses had WiFi and leather seats as a minumum?

Why don't they refurb the b7 gemini or the low landers to sapphire as a spare then those low landers have something else to do as they are sitting in the depot gathering dust

(08 Aug 2014, 1:36 pm)Philly rf wrote [ -> ]Why don't they refurb the b7 gemini or the low landers to sapphire as a spare then those low landers have something else to do as they are sitting in the depot gathering dust

The Lowlanders are all going to Durham later this year.

(08 Aug 2014, 2:01 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]The Lowlanders are all going to Durham later this year.

And Ashington don't have any B7 Geminis at present...

(08 Aug 2014, 2:08 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]And Ashington don't have any B7 Geminis at present...

Have 7491/2 been transferred? I'm sure I saw 7492 on the 35 yesterday

(08 Aug 2014, 2:16 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Have 7491/2 been transferred? I'm sure I saw 7492 on the 35 yesterday

7491 has, forgot about 7492 lol! Redcars are undergoing modifications so that's why they have been given an additional two (7490/1)

(08 Aug 2014, 2:55 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]7491 has, forgot about 7492 lol! Redcars are undergoing modifications so that's why they have been given an additional two (7490/1)

Ah right ok, wish the B9's would hurry up and get delivered...

(08 Aug 2014, 12:36 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote [ -> ]It also depends on how fast the vehicles can be delivered, plus the logistics behind the scenes I expect.

Why sit the buses until October when Stockton are ready to go?

Well they're sitting on them now anyway. Could have given Redcar one of Stockton's for familiarisation for now.

More problems on Sapphire as 7521 (non branded) on the X22 appears to have broken down at Haymarket.

(08 Aug 2014, 1:00 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Could Blyth loan Ashington a MAX Gemini until they get their E400's sorted out, just so that all buses had WiFi and leather seats as a minumum?

I'm a bit behind after this week - what's the issue with the Sapphire E400s? How many vehicles affected? Is it a common problem across all?

(08 Aug 2014, 7:57 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]I'm a bit behind after this week - what's the issue with the Sapphire E400s? How many vehicles affected? Is it a common problem across all?

Sapphire hasn't worked particularly well at Ashington, with vehicles that aren't to Sapphire specification being allocated daily. This is, of course, in addition to the fact vehicles were launched without branding, and some with issues too.

I don't know if the issues where Wi-Fi and power sockets weren't working have been fixed or not, but I'd definitely hope so, given that normal corporate liveried vehicles are appearing so frequently. I'm doubtful that the vehicle with destination display issues has been fixed either, which is also quite irritating, as this should have been fixed before it entered service.

We established that Ashington only has one spare vehicle to cover for a PVR of 15 - something which should realistically be covered by two vehicles, otherwise they're always going to encounter problems. I can't help but feel that this is somewhat short-sighted move by Arriva. Sapphire is allegedly an up-market premium bus service, yet Ashington has been left short of spares really...

ADL Enviro400 7504 is yet to enter service as far as I know, so that's Ashington's spare bus VOR...

Does anyone know when 7511'7512 and 7513 are due for refurbisments

(08 Aug 2014, 8:02 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Sapphire hasn't worked particularly well at Ashington, with vehicles that aren't to Sapphire specification being allocated daily. This is, of course, in addition to the fact vehicles were launched without branding, and some with issues too.

I don't know if the issues where Wi-Fi and power sockets weren't working have been fixed or not, but I'd definitely hope so, given that normal corporate liveried vehicles are appearing so frequently.

We established that Ashington only has one spare vehicle to cover for a PVR of 15 - something which should realistically be covered by two vehicles, otherwise they're always going to encounter problems. I can't help but feel that this is somewhat short-sighted move by Arriva. Sapphire is allegedly an up-market premium bus service, yet Ashington has been left short of spares really...

ADL Enviro400 7504 is yet to enter service as far as I know, so that's Ashington's spare bus VOR...

Are Sapphire branded E400s being allocated elsewhere?

You know my feelings on WiFi not working, but I'd be concerned if they were pulling a significant amount of vehicles off road to resolve the issues. If it was down to me, I'd rather fork out for it to be done outside of normal operating hours, or at least on a Sunday.

I agree that one spare isn't enough for that PVR, but I think having the Sapphire spec interior is always going to present a problem. You've either got to have non-route branded Sapphire spares running round on non-Sapphire services if required, or route branded Sapphire spares running round on non-Sapphire services if required. Both arguably cause confusion to the customer, and is far from ideal. I guess the ideal solution would have been to take a page out of GNE's book, and have the spares in fleet livery. Interior would still be 'Sapphire spec', but the customers are on the bus to their destination before the confusion can kick in!

(08 Aug 2014, 8:12 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Are Sapphire branded E400s being allocated elsewhere?

You know my feelings on WiFi not working, but I'd be concerned if they were pulling a significant amount of vehicles off road to resolve the issues. If it was down to me, I'd rather fork out for it to be done outside of normal operating hours, or at least on a Sunday.

I agree that one spare isn't enough for that PVR, but I think having the Sapphire spec interior is always going to present a problem. You've either got to have non-route branded Sapphire spares running round on non-Sapphire services if required, or route branded Sapphire spares running round on non-Sapphire services if required. Both arguably cause confusion to the customer, and is far from ideal. I guess the ideal solution would have been to take a page out of GNE's book, and have the spares in fleet livery. Interior would still be 'Sapphire spec', but the customers are on the bus to their destination before the confusion can kick in!

Other than the plentiful scheduled allocations whereby the "Sapphire" branded vehicles are used on other services besides the X21/X22 - no, from what I've seen in Newcastle and on Flickr.

(08 Aug 2014, 8:12 pm)aureolin wrote [ -> ]Are Sapphire branded E400s being allocated elsewhere?

You know my feelings on WiFi not working, but I'd be concerned if they were pulling a significant amount of vehicles off road to resolve the issues. If it was down to me, I'd rather fork out for it to be done outside of normal operating hours, or at least on a Sunday.

I agree that one spare isn't enough for that PVR, but I think having the Sapphire spec interior is always going to present a problem. You've either got to have non-route branded Sapphire spares running round on non-Sapphire services if required, or route branded Sapphire spares running round on non-Sapphire services if required. Both arguably cause confusion to the customer, and is far from ideal. I guess the ideal solution would have been to take a page out of GNE's book, and have the spares in fleet livery. Interior would still be 'Sapphire spec', but the customers are on the bus to their destination before the confusion can kick in!

No. When 7491 appeared on the X22 on Tuesday, it replaced a late running 7501 (which came in about 20 minutes late, behind 7509 which was the 1130 from Ashington).

As for an extra spare, I think people need reminding that 'Sapphire' funding comes from Arriva UK's special funding pot, unlike 'MAX' which comes from ANE's own pot. So, the funding for either a brand new spare or to refurbish one of 7514-21 (whichever ones don't get done for the X14/14) would require the Sapphire team to release extra funding for it. And I think that will also count for one being done to Sapphire specification internally (much like 1512 for Stockton).

(08 Aug 2014, 8:24 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]No. When 7491 appeared on the X22 on Tuesday, it replaced a late running 7501 (which came in about 20 minutes late, behind 7509 which was the 1130 from Ashington).

As for an extra spare, I think people need reminding that 'Sapphire' funding comes from Arriva UK's special funding pot, unlike 'MAX' which comes from ANE's own pot. So, the funding for either a brand new spare or to refurbish one of 7514-21 (whichever ones don't get done for the X14/14) would require the Sapphire team to release extra funding for it. And I think that will also count for one being done to Sapphire specification internally (much like 1512 for Stockton).

I'm sure the new Sapphire route in Rhyl? had two spares?

(08 Aug 2014, 8:15 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Other than the plentiful scheduled allocations whereby the "Sapphire" branded vehicles are used on other services besides the X21/X22 - no, from what I've seen in Newcastle and on Flickr.

Is this one not on the 35!? During the day? Dont know if this was Sunday though?

(08 Aug 2014, 8:30 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote [ -> ]Is this one not on the 35!?

Is that one of the scheduled allocations or not..?

(08 Aug 2014, 8:30 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote [ -> ]Is this one not on the 35!? During the day? Dont know if this was Sunday though?

Could Ashington have been testing it after maybe doing work to it, that is if it isn't on a Sunday or evening

(08 Aug 2014, 8:29 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]I'm sure the new Sapphire route in Rhyl? had two spares?

Rhyl's 12 has a PVR of 18 and received 20 new E400s. Those 2 E400s carry a non-route specific 'Sapphire' branding and have appeared on 'Cymru Coastliner' service 11 between Rhyl and Chester as back-up to the Geminis used on that route.

(08 Aug 2014, 8:35 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Rhyl's 12 has a PVR of 18 and received 20 new E400s. Those 2 E400s carry a non-route specific 'Sapphire' branding and have appeared on 'Cymru Coastliner' service 11 between Rhyl and Chester as back-up to the Geminis used on that route.

Thank you so if Arriva have given two spares for a route with a PVR of 18 why not give a route with a PVR of 15 2 spares also? Especially when more than half the vehicles are nearly 7 years old...