North East Buses

This batch is limited to 50mph, yet the batch on the Southern Counties 700 do 65mph?

Hell, even 7522-8 do 62.

(25 Jul 2017, 5:30 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]This batch is limited to 50mph, yet the batch on the Southern Counties 700 do 65mph?

Hell, even 7522-8 do 62.

They aren't limited to 50mph.

(25 Jul 2017, 5:32 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]They aren't limited to 50mph.

The one I had last night did 50 flat out on the X22. 7544 only does 50 too.

(25 Jul 2017, 5:33 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]The one I had last night did 50 flat out on the X22. 7544 only does 50 too.

I had 7541 tonight, checked my speedo app just after Seaton Burn, we got up to 58mph. Seemed like we got up to at least a similar speed on Fisher Lane.

(25 Jul 2017, 5:36 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]I had 7541 tonight, checked my speedo app just after Seaton Burn, we got up to 58mph. Seemed like we got up to at least a similar speed on Fisher Lane.

Speedo apps are regularly off, I recommend sitting at the front and spying on the cab speedo

(25 Jul 2017, 5:38 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Speedo apps are regularly off, I recommend sitting at the front and spying on the cab speedo

The one I use is usually within 1-2mph of what the speed is according to a speedometer. The fact we slowed down quite considerably for the 50mph section makes me think the app was correct. 

Must be said, however, I had 7524 out of Newcastle earlier, and it was quicker off the mark than any of the MMCs I've had.

How come the rear screens on the MMCs are off centre? They look very odd from behind.

Been informed that one of Stockton's Centros has now been refurbished to the current standard specification but has NOT been repainted.

(26 Jul 2017, 8:26 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]Been informed that one of Stockton's Centros has now been refurbished to the current standard specification but has NOT been repainted.

Wifi and USBs?

(26 Jul 2017, 9:09 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Wifi and USBs?

Nope, 1924 is the example done and 1923 is getting done tomorrow - in-house it appears. So just the e-leather retrim.

I don't think the 24 would miss an E400, tbh. Not so much for capacity - I'm sure there are particular journeys when it can easily fill one - but because those vehicles are huge and terrifyingly cumbersome on the narrow, windy roads through the villages on the route. With the lack of long, straight, roads, the 24 (and 22) between Durham and Peterlee aren't particularly double deck friendly for all but the sprightliest of passengers, either.

The 7 fills deckers easily (and without passengers risking breaking their necks before they can sit down) at just about any time of day and could probably stand the same 12 minute frequency as the 6, tbh.

7802 is now fully branded for the 308. The route details now feature Blyth - Whitley Bay - Coast Road - Newcastle. At least this has been corrected since 7806 was done as this originally had North Shields which had to be removed.

(26 Jul 2017, 10:15 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]I don't think the 24 would miss an E400, tbh. Not so much for capacity - I'm sure there are particular journeys when it can easily fill one - but because those vehicles are huge and terrifyingly cumbersome on the narrow, windy roads through the villages on the route. With the lack of long, straight, roads, the 24 (and 22) between Durham and Peterlee aren't particularly double deck friendly for all but the sprightliest of passengers, either.

The 7 fills deckers easily (and without passengers risking breaking their necks before they can sit down) at just about any time of day and could probably stand the same 12 minute frequency as the 6, tbh.

I live on the 24 route and I've seen the pulsars wedged at times with standees , there used to be double deckers and coaches used to be used on these routes in United days


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(27 Jul 2017, 7:49 am)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]I live on the 24 route and I've seen the pulsars wedged at times with standees , there used to be double deckers and coaches used to be used on these routes in United days


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In the last decade or so of Peterlee doing the the 230/242/22 the allocations seemed a bit random. Consecutive workings could be ran by an Olympian then a Metrorider.

(27 Jul 2017, 8:56 am)James101 wrote [ -> ]In the last decade or so of Peterlee doing the the 230/242/22 the allocations seemed a bit random. Consecutive workings could be ran by an Olympian then a Metrorider.

Must admit to seeing all sorts when I lived on the route. There never seemed any consistency.

(27 Jul 2017, 8:56 am)James101 wrote [ -> ]In the last decade or so of Peterlee doing the the 230/242/22 the allocations seemed a bit random. Consecutive workings could be ran by an Olympian then a Metrorider.

Peterlee depot had the rubbish which other depots didn't want, when the 215 ran with a PVR of 2, there was only a PVR 1 most days running every 2 hours and also missing out oakerside section, the 212 was PVR 2 which most days ran by a PVR of 1 which only ran hourly between trimdon and peterlee and not bother about peterlee to Sunderland section as passengers had to travel onto the 214 or 213 for onward travel to Sunderland.

Prefer the pulsars on the 24 than streetlites.


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(27 Jul 2017, 7:28 am)Pulsar wrote [ -> ]7802 is now fully branded for the 308. The route details now feature Blyth - Whitley Bay - Coast Road - Newcastle. At least this has been corrected since 7806 was done as this originally had North Shields which had to be removed.

7803 is also branded and I think there is more.

(27 Jul 2017, 4:27 pm)Pulsar wrote [ -> ]7803 is also branded and I think there is more.

7801 isn't yet,

(27 Jul 2017, 7:49 am)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]I live on the 24 route and I've seen the pulsars wedged at times with standees , there used to be double deckers and coaches used to be used on these routes in United days


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Aye, the Shotton - Peterlee leg of the 22 and 24 get pretty busy, at times and the 22 fills with St Leonards students at a particular point in the afternoon. There's also long stretches of tumbleweed at points, too. I'm not sure the particular peaks and troughs warrant having a large double decker running the full length of the routes at all times of day.

Got on the 685 to go home and couldn’t scan my pass just had to show to driver as he said something about Arriva’s Systems being hacked last night and they are trying to sort it out


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(28 Jul 2017, 3:20 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]Aye, the Shotton - Peterlee leg of the 22 and 24 get pretty busy, at times and the 22 fills with St Leonards students at a particular point in the afternoon. There's also long stretches of tumbleweed at points, too. I'm not sure the particular peaks and troughs warrant having a large double decker running the full length of the routes at all times of day.

What would the alternative be though? Having a fleet of deckers sitting in the depot all day, only to come out for 3 hours during the morning/evening peaks?

(28 Jul 2017, 3:58 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]What would the alternative be though? Having a fleet of deckers sitting in the depot all day, only to come out for 3 hours during the morning/evening peaks?

Since the timetable change the extra timing through Low Fell and Birtley seems to be a little too much. The new 6.32 and the earlier 7.02 both wait at Low Fell Cannon for quite a while and then again at Gateshead.  Even during peak there's still too much time built in on that section.

(28 Jul 2017, 3:58 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]What would the alternative be though? Having a fleet of deckers sitting in the depot all day, only to come out for 3 hours during the morning/evening peaks?

GNE could probably clean up if they extended to 201 to shotton, tbh.

(28 Jul 2017, 7:19 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]GNE could probably clean up if they extended to 201 to shotton, tbh.

I'm struggling to understand the issue with double deckers on the route as it is? The route is clearly profitable enough with them operating it. 

The X18 runs with double deckers in Northumberland, on far more challenging roads, and gets by just fine for the vast majority of the time - and when there is an issue, it isn't something a single decker would be able to deal with any better.

(28 Jul 2017, 7:30 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]I'm struggling to understand the issue with double deckers on the route as it is? The route is clearly profitable enough with them operating it. 

The X18 runs with double deckers in Northumberland, on far more challenging roads, and gets by just fine for the vast majority of the time - and when there is an issue, it isn't something a single decker would be able to deal with any better.

I`m also a little confused at this as well

If the the roads are narrow,then surely a 10.8m (or around that) E400 would be an easier fit than a 12m Pulsar or Streetlite,as long as theres no trees to damage the top deck. Are E400s any wider than the Pulsars/Streetlites?

7810 has now been MAX branded. Interestingly, it is not branded for the 308 like the rest of the B5LH. Instead there is the tagline "Explore the North East with MAX" and there is an image showing a map with a number of places listed. Unfortunately I only saw it briefly as I was on another bus but from what I saw it looks good compared to the rest of them.

4723 (Golf Club) and 4725 (Guisborough) were operating the Park & Ride services for the Saltburn Food Festival today.

Apologies for the delay in the updated list of the new E400MMCs.

7541 - YX17 NNO - Sapphire X21|X22
7542 - YX17 NNT - Sapphire X21|X22
7543 - YX17 NNP - Sapphire X21|X22
7544 - YX17 NNR - Sapphire X21|X22
7545 - YX17 NNU - Sapphire X21|X22
7546 - YX17 NNV - Sapphire X21|X22
7547 - YX17 NNW - Sapphire X21|X22
7548 - YX17 NNY - Sapphire X21|X22
7549 - YX17 NNZ - Sapphire X21|X22
7550 - YX17 NOF - Sapphire X21|X22
7551 - YX17 NOH - Sapphire X21|X22
7552 - YX17 NOU - Sapphire/Arriva connecting Newcastle

(30 Jul 2017, 5:11 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]4723 (Golf Club) and 4725 (Guisborough) were operating the Park & Ride services for the Saltburn Food Festival today.

4724 was also there. The Golf Club shorts and Guisborough longs interworked.

(30 Jul 2017, 5:11 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]4723 (Golf Club) and 4725 (Guisborough) were operating the Park & Ride services for the Saltburn Food Festival today.

And 4724 according to Wayne.