North East Buses

Arriva North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2015

I really appreciate the new layout, as being a lot easier to navigate.

Well done and keep up the good work,

How long have the older MPDs got at Blyth?

(01 Feb 2015, 11:50 am)Tom wrote [ -> ]How long have the older MPDs got at Blyth?

God knows.......

For 1733/42/50/95/96 (and 1758) to be removed from service, Darlington have to receive 2852-61, allowing 2803/4/5/7/8/26/9 to move to Stockton releasing 1769/71/2 to join Darlington's 1760/7/91 in moving to Blyth. As 2857/61 are still being used by Jesmond and the rest appear to be in storage there, it's a case of waiting for spare drivers to allow the moves to take place.

(01 Feb 2015, 11:55 am)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]God knows.......

For 1733/42/50/95/96 (and 1758) to be removed from service, Darlington have to receive 2852-61, allowing 2803/4/5/7/8/26/9 to move to Stockton releasing 1769/71/2 to join Darlington's 1760/7/91 in moving to Blyth. As 2857/61 are still being used by Jesmond and the rest appear to be in storage there, it's a case of waiting for spare drivers to allow the moves to take place.

Cheers.
So I'm gathering it will be a couple of weeks?

(01 Feb 2015, 12:00 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]Cheers.
So I'm gathering it will be a couple of weeks?

If spare drivers were available today, it could be done today. If there's no spare drivers for a couple of weeks, Blyth's MPDs have got another couple of weeks.

Arranging for drivers / engineers to move some buses around isn't too difficult a task - just needs communication between two different departments...

(01 Feb 2015, 12:02 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]If spare drivers were available today, it could be done today. If there's no spare drivers for a couple of weeks, Blyth's MPDs have got another couple of weeks.

Arranging for drivers / engineers to move some buses around isn't too difficult a task - just needs communication between two different departments...

And if they wanted to move them, arranging for drivers to come in on a Rest Day is not a major issue.

(01 Feb 2015, 12:02 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]If spare drivers were available today, it could be done today. If there's no spare drivers for a couple of weeks, Blyth's MPDs have got another couple of weeks.

Arranging for drivers / engineers to move some buses around isn't too difficult a task - just needs communication between two different departments...

Unfortunately, it goes further than that............

Of course, Darlington could go and get 2852-61 and move them allowing Blyth to go and collect 1760/7/91 and Stockton to collect their Solos...........

BUT Stockton and the Solos becomes the key issues - very few drivers at Stockton have ever driven Solos so before they can even enter service, the entire driving staff at Stockton will have to be type trained on the Solos. In fact, might end up with Stockton's Solos moving over in ones and twos to get the drivers trained prior to entering service (either than or borrowing 2827 or 2828 from Whitby to train the drivers would be the other option)

Darlington have recieved 2852 and 2860 from repaint, several others are parked up at Jesmond awaiting transfer. I know that Darlington have drivers on loan from other depots to help cover their requirements, as do we at Stockton.

(01 Feb 2015, 12:12 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Unfortunately, it goes further than that............

Of course, Darlington could go and get 2852-61 and move them allowing Blyth to go and collect 1760/7/91 and Stockton to collect their Solos...........

BUT Stockton and the Solos becomes the key issues - very few drivers at Stockton have ever driven Solos so before they can even enter service, the entire driving staff at Stockton will have to be type trained on the Solos. In fact, might end up with Stockton's Solos moving over in ones and twos to get the drivers trained prior to entering service (either than or borrowing 2827 or 2828 from Whitby to train the drivers would be the other option)

I'm afraid I still don't see the issue?

We have established that arranging for drivers to come in on a Rest Day to transfer vehicles should not be an issue - after all, it's easy work, and as such, easy money! This begs the question why only two Solos have transferred to Darlington from Jesmond, and why these vehicles are yet to enter service?

In my eyes, there should be no issue in transferring all of the Solos from Jesmond to Darlington. In turn, there shouldn't be any issues in transferring Darlington's 1760/7/91 to Blyth or Darlington's 2803/4/5/7/8/26/9 to Stockton. For Stockton staff (both drivers and engineering) to receive familiarisation with the Optare Solo, they need to have some Solos at the depot. Stockton needn't withdraw or transfer any of their vehicles until all staff have been type-trained...

(01 Feb 2015, 12:33 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I'm afraid I still don't see the issue?

We have established that arranging for drivers to come in on a Rest Day to transfer vehicles should not be an issue - after all, it's easy work, and as such, easy money! This begs the question why only two Solos have transferred to Darlington from Jesmond, and why these vehicles are yet to enter service?

In my eyes, there should be no issue in transferring all of the Solos from Jesmond to Darlington. In turn, there shouldn't be any issues in transferring Darlington's 1760/7/91 to Blyth or Darlington's 2803/4/5/7/8/26/9 to Stockton. For Stockton staff (both drivers and engineering) to receive familiarisation with the Optare Solo, they need to have some Solos at the depot. Stockton needn't withdraw or transfer any of their vehicles until all staff have been type-trained...

Just a quick question, The legal lettering on the Darlington buses, what is meant to say?

(01 Feb 2015, 12:36 pm)gne_4993 wrote [ -> ]Just a quick question, The legal lettering on the Darlington buses, what is meant to say?

If this is a suggestion at 'Arriva Northumbria' being on the legal lettering opposed to 'Arriva Durham County', it comes as no surprise that it's been cocked up. Happened with the new Streetlites, and I'm sure it's happened with others too.

Solos 2852/60 have been at Darlington since January 8th though:
ANE 2860 and 2852 in Faverdale awaiting finishing touches by gpot1978, on Flickr

They've had three weeks to get the legal lettering updated, if that is the issue...

(01 Feb 2015, 12:40 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]If this is a suggestion at 'Arriva Northumbria' being on the legal lettering opposed to 'Arriva Durham County', it comes as no surprise that it's been cocked up. Happened with the new Streetlites, and I'm sure it's happened with others too.

Solos 2852/60 have been at Darlington since January 8th though:
ANE 2860 and 2852 in Faverdale awaiting finishing touches by gpot1978, on Flickr

They've had three weeks to get the legal lettering updated, if that is the issue...

I questioned the Union about legal lettering and apparently the only part which is a legal requirement now is the 'Doxford International address', the company isn't relevant apparently, although I'm still doubtful.

As for getting drivers to come in on their rest days, it can be a lot harder than you think.  There are quite a few drivers who refuse to work any overtime at all, which is why leading drivers or management usually do it.

(01 Feb 2015, 12:47 pm)palatine3833 wrote [ -> ]I questioned the Union about legal lettering and apparently the only part which is a legal requirement now is the 'Doxford International address', the company isn't relevant apparently, although I'm still doubtful.

As for getting drivers to come in on their rest days, it can be a lot harder than you think.  There are quite a few drivers who refuse to work any overtime at all, which is why leading drivers or management usually do it.

I thought the company would be as if you do a total count of buses with Arriva Northumbria on, would it exceed the number of vehicles on their licence?

Rest Day rates must be pretty poor if drivers are not working them.  GNE's low cost units do not have an enhanced rate for RD working, but all the main depots have.

(01 Feb 2015, 12:33 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]I'm afraid I still don't see the issue?

We have established that arranging for drivers to come in on a Rest Day to transfer vehicles should not be an issue - after all, it's easy work, and as such, easy money! This begs the question why only two Solos have transferred to Darlington from Jesmond, and why these vehicles are yet to enter service?

In my eyes, there should be no issue in transferring all of the Solos from Jesmond to Darlington. In turn, there shouldn't be any issues in transferring Darlington's 1760/7/91 to Blyth or Darlington's 2803/4/5/7/8/26/9 to Stockton. For Stockton staff (both drivers and engineering) to receive familiarisation with the Optare Solo, they need to have some Solos at the depot. Stockton needn't withdraw or transfer any of their vehicles until all staff have been type-trained...

If Darlington have to go to Jesmond to collect the Solos, surely it would make sense to drive their Darts to Blyth on the way?

(01 Feb 2015, 1:15 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]If Darlington have to go to Jesmond to collect the Solos, surely it would make sense to drive their Darts to Blyth on the

Very true but look how long the B9's were at jesmond before they went to Whitby/Redcar. I have a feeling there is change to the plan, but thts just my opinion.

(01 Feb 2015, 12:54 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]I thought the company would be as if you do a total count of buses with Arriva Northumbria on, would it exceed the number of vehicles on their licence?

Rest Day rates must be pretty poor if drivers are not working them.  GNE's low cost units do not have an enhanced rate for RD working, but all the main depots have.

No enhanced pay for working rest days for us... hence many will not bother.

As for the Solos, the plan has been changed twice already as Stockton were getting the 59 plates at one point, but is now back to Darlington... I'll try and find out what is going on though!

As for the legal lettering - I was always under the impression that the legal lettering had to match the name on the O-licence? Many don't, of course

(01 Feb 2015, 2:00 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]No enhanced pay for working rest days for us... hence many will not bother.

As for the Solos, the plan has been changed twice already as Stockton were getting the 59 plates at one point, but is now back to Darlington... I'll try and find out what is going on though!

As for the legal lettering - I was always under the impression that the legal lettering had to match the name on the O-licence? Many don't, of course

7529-33 have Durham County legals. 1579-81 have the Doxford Park address only.

(01 Feb 2015, 2:00 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]No enhanced pay for working rest days for us... hence many will not bother.

As for the Solos, the plan has been changed twice already as Stockton were getting the 59 plates at one point, but is now back to Darlington... I'll try and find out what is going on though!

As for the legal lettering - I was always under the impression that the legal lettering had to match the name on the O-licence? Many don't, of course

The legals name on the side don't need to match the operating licence, just the address needs to be the same.

For example, Stagecoach on Teesside operating licence is still actually Cleveland Transit with a trading as name of Stagecoach. Stagecoach in Hull register their services on the same licence as Teesside, but I believe Stagecoach buses in Teesside area have Stagecoach North East legals on their lettering - which won't match of course.

The issue about so many buses per licence doesn't matter either, in terms of the legal lettering. VOSA issue only the amount of licence disks permitted, so it doesn't matter what the legal lettering says in that respect, the only issue is if the bus has a licence disk in the window screen or not.

(01 Feb 2015, 3:27 pm)RobinHood wrote [ -> ]The legals name on the side don't need to match the operating licence, just the address needs to be the same.

For example, Stagecoach on Teesside operating licence is still actually Cleveland Transit with a trading as name of Stagecoach. Stagecoach in Hull register their services on the same licence as Teesside, but I believe Stagecoach buses in Teesside area have Stagecoach North East legals on their lettering - which won't match of course.

The issue about so many buses per licence doesn't matter either, in terms of the legal lettering. VOSA issue only the amount of licence disks permitted, so it doesn't matter what the legal lettering says in that respect, the only issue is if the bus has a licence disk in the window screen or not.

BIB: Stagecoach in Hull haven't used the Cleveland Transit legal name since 2013, when they moved onto the Lincolnshire Roadcar licence along with Grimsby-Cleethorpes. North East is one of the few areas where Stagecoach retains more than one licence.

As for legal lettering, Stagecoach in Hartlepool and Stagecoach on Teesside both display 'Cleveland Transit' legal names not Stagecoach North East. Same as Newcastle, Sunderland and South Shields display 'Busways Travel Services'.

@bbctees have just tweeted this picture, accompanied by the line: "Problems in Middlesbrough Bus station this morning".
[attachment=6293]

Hope all involved, ok!

Another photo they have tweeted from the scene.

[attachment=6294]

(02 Feb 2015, 9:10 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]@bbctees have just tweeted this picture, accompanied by the line: "Problems in Middlesbrough Bus station this morning".


Hope all involved, ok!

Oh dear, that looks bad, is that the same place that had a fatality a few years ago because of the same reason?

Just posted another picture in Bus Incidents thread.
4501 involved, don't think anybody was hurt, amazingly.

(02 Feb 2015, 9:32 am)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Just posted another picture in Bus Incidents thread.
4501 involved, don't think anybody was hurt, amazingly.

The second photo and yours seems to back that up.

Very pleased to see/hear of no injuries.

(01 Feb 2015, 12:54 pm)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]I thought the company would be as if you do a total count of buses with Arriva Northumbria on, would it exceed the number of vehicles on their licence?

Rest Day rates must be pretty poor if drivers are not working them.  GNE's low cost units do not have an enhanced rate for RD working, but all the main depots have.

 A quote from a Darlington driver last week was that if you do not work your rest day it is one last chance to get sacked. This says a lot about morale

(02 Feb 2015, 9:19 am)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]Oh dear, that looks bad, is that the same place that had a fatality a few years ago because of the same reason?

Completely different.

7518 is UNBRANDED and is on the X21/X22 - should be on the X21 to Newbiggin now.

And also, to stop GNE from blocking the bus station in Ashington: Stand A will be for X22 services and Stand B will be for X21 services.

(That's probably why it said "To Amend Route" on the VOSA applications)

(01 Feb 2015, 12:12 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Unfortunately, it goes further than that............

Of course, Darlington could go and get 2852-61 and move them allowing Blyth to go and collect 1760/7/91 and Stockton to collect their Solos...........

BUT Stockton and the Solos becomes the key issues - very few drivers at Stockton have ever driven Solos so before they can even enter service, the entire driving staff at Stockton will have to be type trained on the Solos. In fact, might end up with Stockton's Solos moving over in ones and twos to get the drivers trained prior to entering service (either than or borrowing 2827 or 2828 from Whitby to train the drivers would be the other option)

So how do Redcar drivers drive 2827/8 then?