North East Buses

(04 Apr 2018, 9:41 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]What is different about MAX, Sapphire etc and when did Arriva introduce these separate identities?

MAX, for interurban express routes, buses new or refurbished with pleather seating, free WiFi. In 2016, USB chargers added to refurbished vehicles following national Arriva specification change. MAX vehicles have Arriva 2009 spec plastics and flooring. Summer 2014-January 2018. It is now a defunct brand.

Sapphire, for selected routes which have potential, buses new or refurbished with pleather seating, free WiFi, power sockets (3-pin/USB until 2016, USB 2016-present), next stop announcements, clockface timetables. Sapphire vehicles have bespoke plastics and flooring. End of 2013-present. "Sapphire" is now the local variation of "Arriva Premium"*.

Frequenta, for selected urban routes with a frequency of every 10 minutes or better. No set specification. 2015-2018. It is now a defunct brand.

Standard, all vehicles new or refurbished, free WiFi, USB charging, pleather seating. Arriva 2009 spec plastics and flooring. 2016-present.

*Arriva Premium is the Arriva Group product name for premium specification bus and coach services in the UK and Europe, divisions can rename the brand to suit local needs, hence Arriva Sapphire in the UK. Arriva Express and Arriva Frequent are the other products available.

As of now, no vehicles should be repainted in liveries other than Arriva Standard, Arriva Premium, Arriva Express, Arriva Frequent, Arriva Green or Arriva Driver Training. Special liveries, such as TfL Red or joint ventures such as Cross Pennine are exempt.

(05 Apr 2018, 8:00 am)Shrek wrote [ -> ]You see I'd normally agree with you, but having been on a 54 not so long ago where the driver was saying he didn't think the bus was fit for the road but he'd been told to ignore the warnings and "just give it a go" it got me wondering last night.

I agree with you. Certain Arriva employees have rose tinted spectacles! The original poster didn't say anything about it being in a dangerous state but anyone that thinks buses aren't sent out with defects needs to give their head a shake.

---

(04 Apr 2018, 10:52 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Arriva having a new livery is a good thing. I don't think I have seen the new blue livery in the flesh yet. I like the new logo. What even was the old logo meant to be? The lowercase 'arriva' looks more smart and friendly than 'ARRIVA'.

Hate the new logo. Why use a capital A symbol and then spell Arriva with a small a?! Looks Like 'Aarriva'! Not keen on the new livery either. Doesn't look too bad when pristine (although still looks cheap) but soon shows the dirt.

(05 Apr 2018, 4:24 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]I agree with you. Certain Arriva employees have rose tinted spectacles! The original poster didn't say anything about it being in a dangerous state but anyone that thinks buses aren't sent out with defects needs to give their head a shake.

I'm not an Arriva employee, and as such have no reason to be massively defensive. 

To say that fitters would give the all clear for a bus to be used in service, having just fixed it, without them actually believing so is ludicrous. Fully aware that buses go out with small defects, but this clearly wasn't a small issue, and they wouldn't have put it back out if they thought it would quickly break down again.

(05 Apr 2018, 4:24 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]Hate the new logo. Why use a capital A symbol and then spell Arriva with a small a?! Looks Like 'Aarriva'! Not keen on the new livery either. Doesn't look too bad when pristine (although still looks cheap) but soon shows the dirt.

Well, I agree the new logo having a capital A then spelling Arriva with a small a is rather odd! However, what is the old logo meant to be? I think it might be a small a symbol with ARRIVA in capitals, but I could be wrong as I really don't know what the symbol is.

Stagecoach has the beach ball and Go North East just uses the name as their logo, Arriva should have probably done the same, a symbol or just the name, but not a confusing muddled capital letter for a word not capitalized mix up! I like the new logo, but it definitely isn't the best they could've done.

Hopefully I will see the new livery soon.

(05 Apr 2018, 6:49 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Well, I agree the new logo having a capital A then spelling Arriva with a small a is rather odd! However, what is the old logo meant to be? I think it might be a small a symbol with ARRIVA in capitals, but I could be wrong as I really don't know what the symbol is.

(05 Apr 2018, 6:49 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Hopefully I will see the new livery soon.

Arriva North East: 4712 / YJ10DHF by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

(05 Apr 2018, 6:49 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]Hopefully I will see the new livery soon.

*cough* 500 Group Running Day *Cough*

It's not a case of Arriva employees having rose tinted spectacles. It's common sense. I wouldn't expect any company from independents Scarlet Band, Stagecarriage or one of the  Proctors group all the way through to the national ones to willingly send out a vehicle Van,  Minibus, coach, Double decker, hell even a pushbike if it was leaking any type of fluid onto the road. Why...? What happens to the tyres of the vehicle following the bus that "got sent out because the fitters thought it would be okay",  Weeeeee BANG! To put It into family friendly terms.

I said it last time and I'll say it again. Arriva a multinational company will not risk its O License by sending out a defective bus. No bus is perfect however there is a line as to what is considered roadworthy and its something called a PG9. Google it you will get a document from Gov.Uk over 100 pages on defects that would deem a bus unroadworthy (Oil Leak is page 88 if you want to argue) It's an immediate prohibition which means if VOSA/DVSA see it on the road with it Knowingly, The bus gets impounded, The driver will be fined anywhere up to £5000 and risks penalty points on his LICENCE, Arriva will be up in front of the Traffic Commissioners in Leeds and they risk losing thier operators licence.

Next time think before you type needless slander ?

(06 Apr 2018, 12:57 am)Multi21 wrote [ -> ]*cough* 500 Group Running Day *Cough*

It's not a case of Arriva employees having rose tinted spectacles. It's common sense. I wouldn't expect any company from independents Scarlet Band, Stagecarriage or one of the  Proctors group all the way through to the national ones to willingly send out a vehicle Van,  Minibus, coach, Double decker, hell even a pushbike if it was leaking any type of fluid onto the road. Why...? What happens to the tyres of the vehicle following the bus that "got sent out because the fitters thought it would be okay",  Weeeeee BANG! To put It into family friendly terms.

I said it last time and I'll say it again. Arriva a multinational company will not risk its O License by sending out a defective bus. No bus is perfect however there is a line as to what is considered roadworthy and its something called a PG9. Google it you will get a document from Gov.Uk over 100 pages on defects that would deem a bus unroadworthy (Oil Leak is page 88 if you want to argue) It's an immediate prohibition which means if VOSA/DVSA see it on the road with it Knowingly, The bus gets impounded, The driver will be fined anywhere up to £5000 and risks penalty points on his LICENCE, Arriva will be up in front of the Traffic Commissioners in Leeds and they risk losing thier operators licence.

Next time think before you type needless slander ?

You appear to have replied to the wrong person.

Can we keep this to friendly debate? It gets somewhat ridiculous. The bus expired twice in a day, therefore Arriva failed. Whatever the circumstances, it broke twice, same reason or different reason. They have to keep buses moving to make profit as they are a business. A vehicle that stops working correctly twice in the same day is not a roadworthy bus at all. They won't send it out intentionally in a dangerous condition, but will push the limits of acceptability to keep it moving and making them money. 

Thank you.

(06 Apr 2018, 12:57 am)Multi21 wrote [ -> ]*cough* 500 Group Running Day *Cough*

It's not a case of Arriva employees having rose tinted spectacles. It's common sense. I wouldn't expect any company from independents Scarlet Band, Stagecarriage or one of the  Proctors group all the way through to the national ones to willingly send out a vehicle Van,  Minibus, coach, Double decker, hell even a pushbike if it was leaking any type of fluid onto the road. Why...? What happens to the tyres of the vehicle following the bus that "got sent out because the fitters thought it would be okay",  Weeeeee BANG! To put It into family friendly terms.

I said it last time and I'll say it again. Arriva a multinational company will not risk its O License by sending out a defective bus. No bus is perfect however there is a line as to what is considered roadworthy and its something called a PG9. Google it you will get a document from Gov.Uk over 100 pages on defects that would deem a bus unroadworthy (Oil Leak is page 88 if you want to argue) It's an immediate prohibition which means if VOSA/DVSA see it on the road with it Knowingly, The bus gets impounded, The driver will be fined anywhere up to £5000 and risks penalty points on his LICENCE, Arriva will be up in front of the Traffic Commissioners in Leeds and they risk losing thier operators licence.

Next time think before you type needless slander ?

All hypothetical of course...


Would a quick fix sort out the issue temporarily until fitters a) have time to sort it properly. B) a non-essential part is sourced. C) pvr requirements and pressures from management to get the vehicle out on the road has decreased?

Could that temporary fix then fail?

(06 Apr 2018, 12:57 am)Multi21 wrote [ -> ]hell even a pushbike if it was leaking any type of fluid onto the road.

Wouldn't like to be behind that pushbike if it was leaking fluid from any part of it.

As for the bus breaking down twice in a day, it is possible that the original issue was sorted however caused a fault to appear elsewhere.

(06 Apr 2018, 9:16 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]You appear to have replied to the wrong person.

Can we keep this to friendly debate? It gets somewhat ridiculous. The bus expired twice in a day, therefore Arriva failed. Whatever the circumstances, it broke twice, same reason or different reason. They have to keep buses moving to make profit as they are a business. A vehicle that stops working correctly twice in the same day is not a roadworthy bus at all. They won't send it out intentionally in a dangerous condition, but will push the limits of acceptability to keep it moving and making them money. 

Thank you.

So is every break down now entirely the fault of the company that operates the vehicle? 

When it was allocated in the morning, it wouldn't have been done so with the knowledge it would break down. Preventative maintenance can only go so far. Equally, when it had been fixed, whatever that fix involved, it would not have been sent out if they thought it would fail again. 

(06 Apr 2018, 9:37 am)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]All hypothetical of course...


Would a quick fix sort out the issue temporarily until fitters a) have time to sort it properly. B) a non-essential part is sourced. C) pvr requirements and pressures from management to get the vehicle out on the road has decreased?

Could that temporary fix then fail?

Was thinking about this yesterday, it seems as though the bus didn't need towed into the depot, and some fix was evidently carried out otherwise buzzers etc would still have been going off on the drive to wherever it started it's next journey, and until it broke.

Could they have patched it where it broke down, got it to the depot for a look and further repair. Then, when it was sent out again, either a similar fault manifested itself, or there was a more underlying reason that was causing the part(s) to fail?

If there was an underlying reason, that could result in a problem that can be caused by 15 other things, which has similar symptoms to a more common cause, then the repair would never work.

Again, like your post, all hypothetical...

(05 Apr 2018, 1:14 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]MAX, for interurban express routes, buses new or refurbished with pleather seating, free WiFi. In 2016, USB chargers added to refurbished vehicles following national Arriva specification change. MAX vehicles have Arriva 2009 spec plastics and flooring. Summer 2014-January 2018. It is now a defunct brand.

Sapphire, for selected routes which have potential, buses new or refurbished with pleather seating, free WiFi, power sockets (3-pin/USB until 2016, USB 2016-present), next stop announcements, clockface timetables. Sapphire vehicles have bespoke plastics and flooring. End of 2013-present. "Sapphire" is now the local variation of "Arriva Premium"*.

Frequenta, for selected urban routes with a frequency of every 10 minutes or better. No set specification. 2015-2018. It is now a defunct brand.

Standard, all vehicles new or refurbished, free WiFi, USB charging, pleather seating. Arriva 2009 spec plastics and flooring. 2016-present.

*Arriva Premium is the Arriva Group product name for premium specification bus and coach services in the UK and Europe, divisions can rename the brand to suit local needs, hence Arriva Sapphire in the UK. Arriva Express and Arriva Frequent are the other products available.

As of now, no vehicles should be repainted in liveries other than Arriva Standard, Arriva Premium, Arriva Express, Arriva Frequent, Arriva Green or Arriva Driver Training. Special liveries, such as TfL Red or joint ventures such as Cross Pennine are exempt.

So as many different liveries as ever?!!

---

(05 Apr 2018, 8:03 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]



Arriva North East: 4712 / YJ10DHF by

A wheel within a wheel??

---

(06 Apr 2018, 12:57 am)Multi21 wrote [ -> ]*cough* 500 Group Running Day *Cough*

It's not a case of Arriva employees having rose tinted spectacles. It's common sense. I wouldn't expect any company from independents Scarlet Band, Stagecarriage or one of the  Proctors group all the way through to the national ones to willingly send out a vehicle Van,  Minibus, coach, Double decker, hell even a pushbike if it was leaking any type of fluid onto the road. Why...? What happens to the tyres of the vehicle following the bus that "got sent out because the fitters thought it would be okay",  Weeeeee BANG! To put It into family friendly terms.

I said it last time and I'll say it again. Arriva a multinational company will not risk its O License by sending out a defective bus. No bus is perfect however there is a line as to what is considered roadworthy and its something called a PG9. Google it you will get a document from Gov.Uk over 100 pages on defects that would deem a bus unroadworthy (Oil Leak is page 88 if you want to argue) It's an immediate prohibition which means if VOSA/DVSA see it on the road with it Knowingly, The bus gets impounded, The driver will be fined anywhere up to £5000 and risks penalty points on his LICENCE, Arriva will be up in front of the Traffic Commissioners in Leeds and they risk losing thier operators licence.

Next time think before you type needless slander ?

I refer you to what the driver said to 'Shrek'.

(05 Apr 2018, 4:24 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]I agree with you. Certain Arriva employees have rose tinted spectacles! The original poster didn't say anything about it being in a dangerous state but anyone that thinks buses aren't sent out with defects needs to give their head a shake.

---

Hate the new logo. Why use a capital A symbol and then spell Arriva with a small a?! Looks Like 'Aarriva'! Not keen on the new livery either. Doesn't look too bad when pristine (although still looks cheap) but soon shows the dirt.

I like both the new sapphire front colouring and the all over blue which is a good mid range blue  I just hope the repainting does not drag on for too long

(06 Apr 2018, 3:09 pm)Cock Robin wrote [ -> ]So as many different liveries as ever?!!

---

A wheel within a wheel??

---

I refer you to what the driver said to 'Shrek'.

Standardising the UK Bus' fleet liveries to just Green, Sapphire and Standard (excluding special liveries such as Cross Pennine and TfL) is a whole load less... 

(04 Apr 2018, 3:10 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote [ -> ]What is usually allocated to service 306 to Whitley Bay/Tynemouth? Does the 306 have Wi-Fi and next stop announcements? I'm hopefully getting the 306 to Silverlink on Monday having been advised it's better than Stagecoach's 22 and GNEs Cobalt Clipper services on here recently. At £2.50, it's cheaper one way than GNE. I'll be using a Day Rider other than a single on the 306, so it will be £6.50 rather than my usual £7.20 Day Rover.

The 306 does have wifi but not next stop announcements it also has usb sockets.

7469 unfortunately must be due for withdrawal as it has been the centre of jokes by drivers involving beamish sutch as one at the start of the year when a driver told me and other passengers on the X7 which was 7469 that the bus might take you to beamish. And another today on the 16:37 X8 when the driver said the bus should have a sign saying 'please send me back to beamish'.

(07 Apr 2018, 8:41 pm)GNE6312 wrote [ -> ]7469 unfortunately must be due for withdrawal as it has been the centre of jokes by drivers involving beamish sutch as one at the start of the year when a driver told me and other passengers on the X7 which was 7469 that the bus might take you to beamish. And another today on the 16:37 X8 when the driver said the bus should have a sign saying 'please send me back to beamish'.

7469 is younger than me. Off to Beamish I go. 

(07 Apr 2018, 8:41 pm)GNE6312 wrote [ -> ]7469 unfortunately must be due for withdrawal as it has been the centre of jokes by drivers involving beamish sutch as one at the start of the year when a driver told me and other passengers on the X7 which was 7469 that the bus might take you to beamish. And another today on the 16:37 X8 when the driver said the bus should have a sign saying 'please send me back to beamish'.

Was due to be withdrawn last year when the Ashington MMCs arrived and displaced 7501-9 to Jesmond.

Drivers will joke, but older vehicles in the fleet will always be subject to those. The fact it hasn't been withdrawn signals that its been providing dependable service without any major issues. 

They all had a refurbishment internally when they came up from London, are comfortable inside, and certainly don't give the impression that they're end of life (the same can be said of the B7TLs of a similar age), which is quite a way from what used to be the case. The ECW bodied Leylands being a prime example.

(08 Apr 2018, 4:06 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Was due to be withdrawn last year when the Ashington MMCs arrived and displaced 7501-9 to Jesmond.

Drivers will joke, but older vehicles in the fleet will always be subject to those. The fact it hasn't been withdrawn signals that its been providing dependable service without any major issues. 

They all had a refurbishment internally when they came up from London, are comfortable inside, and certainly don't give the impression that they're end of life (the same can be said of the B7TLs of a similar age), which is quite a way from what used to be the case. The ECW bodied Leylands being a prime example.

Hopefully it isn't the end of their life

(07 Apr 2018, 8:25 pm)GNE6312 wrote [ -> ]The 306 does have wifi but not next stop announcements it also has usb sockets.

Thanks. I will be getting the 306 tomorrow for the first time. I am not too confident as I have never used it before. I am going from Haymarket to Silverlink.

(07 Apr 2018, 4:02 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Standardising the UK Bus' fleet liveries to just Green, Sapphire and Standard (excluding special liveries such as Cross Pennine and TfL) is a whole load less... 

"Arriva Standard, Arriva Premium, Arriva Express, Arriva Frequent, Arriva Green or Arriva Driver Training"

Express and Frequent aren't being used by UK Bus anyway. They're just product brands available for any division of Arriva to use.

Has anymore Streetlites transferred to Jesmond seen another 23 branded Streetlite today?

(10 Apr 2018, 3:48 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]Has anymore Streetlites transferred to Jesmond seen another 23 branded Streetlite today?

1576 the latest to transfer, last week, I think.

1506 is the latest arrival at Durham, from Darlington.

1427 has transferred to Stockton, allowing 1510 to return to Darlington.

(11 Apr 2018, 2:05 pm)Smarty93 wrote [ -> ]1427 has transferred to Stockton, allowing 1510 to return to Darlington.

1510 was on the X66/7 today. Absolutely killed by econospeed mind.

(11 Apr 2018, 3:14 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]1510 was on the X66/7 today. Absolutely killed by econospeed mind.

That’s how they were exchanged - 1427 arrived into Middlesbrough at 1145 on the X67 and was swapped over for 1510.

(11 Apr 2018, 9:43 pm)Kuyoyo wrote [ -> ]That’s how they were exchanged - 1427 arrived into Middlesbrough at 1145 on the X67 and was swapped over for 1510.

That makes sense. I got it on the delayed X67 at 1235 (1245), couldn't really make up much time either.

2807,2808,2811,2814 Have all been transferred and repainted to Yorkshire Tiger.

What liery will the new X15 E400MMC come in?

(14 Apr 2018, 11:34 pm)JM03 wrote [ -> ]What liery will the new X15 E400MMC come in?

Either sapphire on new Livery as MAX has been discontinued o