North East Buses

(17 Apr 2015, 11:21 am)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]Arriva North East
1 hr ·
TITAN is on his way back to the North East - where will he be this time?.......

X12 heading to Durham next week I believe 

With there only being two Jesmond-based 85/685 Omnicities in service a couple of weeks ago, things looked a lot better today as I noticed & passed three Arriva services being Omnicity-operated; one of them would've been either local or at Jesmond though as I noticed 4663 working 1407 685 Carlisle to Newcastle.

For the mileage that is put on them, I think they're very respectable machines - even though I have a general hatred of them, especially of that God-awful seating (still!) - reminds me of my chair I use at my PC, it's all worn down and starts to make your backside numb after 30 mins or so!!

(17 Apr 2015, 10:19 pm)northern156 wrote [ -> ]With there only being two Jesmond-based 85/685 Omnicities in service a couple of weeks ago, things looked a lot better today as I noticed & passed three Arriva services being Omnicity-operated; one of them would've been either local or at Jesmond though as I noticed 4663 working 1407 685 Carlisle to Newcastle.

For the mileage that is put on them, I think they're very respectable machines - even though I have a general hatred of them, especially of that God-awful seating (still!) - reminds me of my chair I use at my PC, it's all worn down and starts to make your backside numb after 30 mins or so!!

One has been on the 43/44/45 services a lot so may have had a fault which has required it to be kept local.

Currently on-board Sapphire spec 1597 and I have noticed that the charging points are different to the ones on the Pulsars, Enviro 400's and other StreetLite's.

(18 Apr 2015, 4:39 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Currently on-board Sapphire spec 1597 and I have noticed that the charging points are different to the ones on the Pulsars, Enviro 400's and other StreetLite's.

I like the fact that they have a switch, should be safer for kids "sticking stuff in there"

(18 Apr 2015, 4:48 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]I like the fact that they have a switch, should be safer for kids "sticking stuff in there"

That's true, although they can still easily press the switch down.

I remember reading a comment on Arriva's Facebook when the Pulsars entered service on the 7 expressing fears about this.

(18 Apr 2015, 4:51 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]That's true, although they can still easily press the switch down.

I remember reading a comment on Arriva's Facebook when the Pulsars entered service on the 7 expressing fears about this.

This is the new standard power socket available on new builds.

Operators can choose to upgrade the power sockets to a chrome silver finish instead of having standard plastic, and also to have 2x USB with 1x Three-pin sockets opposed to one of each... Obviously this incurs a greater cost, but you'll find that some operators will opt to incur the additional cost as it improves the customer experience!

Do Arriva still operate the 508? (Gateshead - Rothbury)

(19 Apr 2015, 11:18 am)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]Do Arriva still operate the 508? (Gateshead - Rothbury)

No this and the 714 (Kielder) were withdrawn due to funding cuts by Northumberland CC

(19 Apr 2015, 11:29 am)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]No this and the 714 (Kielder) were withdrawn due to funding cuts by Northumberland CC

Thanks, I'll just have to go to Cragside with Spirit Buses then.

(19 Apr 2015, 11:31 am)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]Thanks, I'll just have to go to Cragside with Spirit Buses then.

The 14 goes to Cragside?

Just an observation:
Passed through Bedlington around 3.40, and saw what I think was 7524 (was a new one, and had a full rear destination) on the X22 to Newcastle, which was a couple of minutes early. Now the other X22 should pass in the other direction at the same time, it didn't. 

10 minutes later, I leave Morrisons, and see 7502 in the Red Lion bus stop, over 10 minutes late. Surely this 10 minutes can't all be match day traffic, especially as 7502 would have arrived in Newcastle at around 15.10, I would've thought that 7524 would have been equally as busy on it's arrival at 14.10. 

So, have I got my match day traffic estimation wrong, or is this down to driver/vehicle. If both were late, I would have been more understanding, it was just the difference in punctuality.

(19 Apr 2015, 3:06 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Just an observation:
Passed through Bedlington around 3.40, and saw what I think was 7524 (was a new one, and had a full rear destination) on the X22 to Newcastle, which was a couple of minutes early. Now the other X22 should pass in the other direction at the same time, it didn't. 

10 minutes later, I leave Morrisons, and see 7502 in the Red Lion bus stop, over 10 minutes late. Surely this 10 minutes can't all be match day traffic, especially as 7502 would have arrived in Newcastle at around 15.10, I would've thought that 7524 would have been equally as busy on it's arrival at 14.10. 

So, have I got my match day traffic estimation wrong, or is this down to driver/vehicle. If both were late, I would have been more understanding, it was just the difference in punctuality.

1600 kick off so I would suggest that 1410 is likely to be a fair bit quieter than 1510 in the city centre. The fact that it was 7502 could also have something to do with it. Would have thought they could have allocated all new ones on a Sunday though, barring any reason for keeping one or more off of course...

(19 Apr 2015, 2:46 pm)Tom wrote [ -> ]The 14 goes to Cragside?

Not into Cragside, although its risky trying to flag down a bus where it might just fly past.

(19 Apr 2015, 3:06 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Just an observation:
Passed through Bedlington around 3.40, and saw what I think was 7524 (was a new one, and had a full rear destination) on the X22 to Newcastle, which was a couple of minutes early. Now the other X22 should pass in the other direction at the same time, it didn't. 

It was 7524, I saw it when I was in Asda and also walked past it, timings are correct.

(19 Apr 2015, 3:23 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]1600 kick off so I would suggest that 1410 is likely to be a fair bit quieter than 1510 in the city centre. The fact that it was 7502 could also have something to do with it. Would have thought they could have allocated all new ones on a Sunday though, barring any reason for keeping one or more off of course...

Was my immediate thinking, however I know that when I go, I normally meet my friends around 2 hours before kick off, so maybe I was just using personal experience which is not universal.

Regarding 7502, I saw it pull away from a stop yesterday and I could've crawled quicker, engine didn't sound great either...

Hopefully they're finally painting 7525... 

(19 Apr 2015, 3:27 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Hopefully they're finally painting 7525... 

7518 was in the bus station, so it's possible.

Has anyone seen 7525 recently?

(19 Apr 2015, 3:34 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Has anyone seen 7525 recently?

I saw it the other day (Friday I think), still with the dodgy coloured panel.

(19 Apr 2015, 3:34 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Has anyone seen 7525 recently?

Haven't seen it today.

EDIT: I was waiting for around 25 minutes at Ashington bus station and never saw it on either 35/X21/X22.

(19 Apr 2015, 4:07 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]Haven't seen it today.

There's something wrong if it's still not fixed and it has indeed been out of service today. It's been at least a month now since it appeared like that, and I've frequently seen 7518 in service on the X14 while that's been on the X21/22, if it's down to the depot management, it needs to sort itself out. Below are several things I've noticed since the Sapphire launch:

No Ashington Sapphire (or MAX) vehicles have cab door stickers, unlike every other depot.

7522-8 (excluding 7524) have had only route numbers displaying on the rear display since about October?

Drivers frequently not wearing the "Sapphire" uniform, blue shirts/polo shirts are common sights in my experience. 

Vehicles going for weeks without working NSA's, 7501 must have had the "Sapphire" screen for at least a month. 

It's very rare to find a 57-reg one with working plugs, although it's rare to see one in service  

There are others, but I think most have been dealt with 

7525 has been in "repaired" state for at least 2 months now

(19 Apr 2015, 4:27 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]7525 has been in "repaired" state for at least 2 months now

Don't think any other depot would allow that to be the case

(19 Apr 2015, 4:28 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Don't think any other depot would allow that to be the case

No its not acceptable. 1557 was repaired after a bump with new panels on the side, and new fleetnames were applied within a few days of its return to service.

(19 Apr 2015, 4:28 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Don't think any other depot would allow that to be the case

Belmont's standard specification Pulsars have had mix and match panels between the old and new corporate livery since last year - it's not just Ashington that have issues, although you could argue that it should be their utmost priority given that it's meant to be a premium brand.

(19 Apr 2015, 4:29 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]No its not acceptable. 1557 was repaired after a bump with new panels on the side, and new fleetnames were applied within a few days of its return to service.

I could understand if it was Monday- Saturday service all day every day, and Sundays didn't exist, meanwhile 2 of the others were off the road for that entire duration. But this is not the case, it's a 7 day week, and I know for a fact that there have been days when all of the Enviro's have been available (or at least none in the depot). 

Unless Ashington mechanics are staying true to "Sunday is the day of rest"??  

(19 Apr 2015, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Belmont's standard specification Pulsars have had mix and match panels between the old and new corporate livery since last year - it's not just Ashington that have issues, although you could argue that it should be their utmost priority given that it's meant to be a premium brand.

The difference between the colours is very small though, is it not? Either way, I'm sure they won't have missing vinyls on said panel.  

It ruins the image of the premium brand, it looks scruffy, and as a potential passenger would you want to be getting on a bus that has clearly been in an accident? 

(19 Apr 2015, 4:30 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Belmont's standard specification Pulsars have had mix and match panels between the old and new corporate livery since last year - it's not just Ashington that have issues, although you could argue that it should be their utmost priority given that it's meant to be a premium brand.

Was on the 6 yesterday and kept seeing 1423 I think it was and the panels below the indicator lights on both sides were the dark blue on the new corporate livery.

Also at one point 7441 had an original liveried panel at the back and 7444 had a new style liveried panel in the same place.

(19 Apr 2015, 4:37 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Was on the 6 yesterday and kept seeing 1423 I think it was and the panels below the indicator lights on both sides were the dark blue on the new corporate livery.

Also at one point 7441 had an original liveried panel at the back and 7444 had a new style liveried panel in the same place.

There's a few like that at Belmont.

1467 rings a bell as being another, though I haven't gone through my photos to double check this. I think it's that one with an offside panel which has been replaced with an original livery panel - sticks out like a sore thumb.

1460 at Stockton has about 4 different shades of turquoise along the offside, we call it "patchwork Pulsar"