North East Buses

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(21 Jul 2019, 9:29 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]I have to disagree with you there, especially with ENCTS and Network One pass holders, they typically use the service regularly, so I would imagine have experience with both operators. Once you've used both a couple times, you're going to get a preference for one over the other whether you're an enthusiast or not. Let's think of it another way, & I'm going to assume that you're not a supermarket enthusiast, and I'm going to guess that you have a supermarket that you prefer to go to. For example, I have a ALDI & just round the corner, but I'll travel further to go to Sainsbury's because I prefer their food, even if it costs a bit more. For some people it's not about convenience, it's about the quality.

It's a bit of both really I feel, some will have a certain preference to one service or another be it journey time, cost, comfort and whatever else but some will accept others at points, I often see concession pass holders in places simply jump on whichever bus turns up first, I use the 7 which stops in the same part of Durham Bus Station as the 6 & X21 and I regularly see some just get the first bus leaving towards Bishop Auckland, some but not all and same with the Network One passes in Tyne & Wear, I see some get on the X12 in Birtley towards Newcastle at times when it gets to the bus stop before the 21, everyone's way of doing things is different, for example your point in shopping if I just want something like a chocolate bar I will often go to wherever is the nearest to where I am although sometimes does come down to cost as well.

(21 Jul 2019, 9:24 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]Seen the x4 service today but on the screeñ it's destination was shown at redcar instead of Middlesbrough any particular reason

The X4 increases to half hourly operation on the section between Whitby and Redcar on Sundays during the summer months (between end of May and start of September, guessing dates as the timetable on Arriva's website is from 2017 [emoji57]), operates Whitby to Middlesbrough hourly on Sundays all year round.

(21 Jul 2019, 9:58 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]It's a bit of both really I feel, some will have a certain preference to one service or another be it journey time, cost, comfort and whatever else but some will accept others at points, I often see concession pass holders in places simply jump on whichever bus turns up first, I use the 7 which stops in the same part of Durham Bus Station as the 6 & X21 and I regularly see some just get the first bus leaving towards Bishop Auckland, some but not all and same with the Network One passes in Tyne & Wear, I see some get on the X12 in Birtley towards Newcastle at times when it gets to the bus stop before the 21, everyone's way of doing things is different, for example your point in shopping if I just want something like a chocolate bar I will often go to wherever is the nearest to where I am although sometimes does come down to cost as well.

One thing that I've noticed is that I see a lot more fare paying passengers get the X21 than the 6. Same with the X12, most of the passengers were ENCTS pass holders. I don't know if it means anything, but from the small amount of data (if I can even call it that), you could conclude that passengers who are using their own money are choosing to travel with GNE over Arriva for the same journey, with the price being equal (assuming they purchase the Sapphire 6 RouteSaver and the Auckland Castle Saver) With your analogy about the chocolate bar, I think that's a different situation. I'm thinking more along the lines of the supermarket preference for the weekly shop. If I run out of milk, I don't mind just popping down to Aldi. Same as if I miss the X21, and I'm in a rush, I'll just get the 6 and pay the £1.40

(20 Jul 2019, 10:04 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]
 Even if I didn't have my GNE pass, I would happily pay the extra to not travel Arriva! During CTBW I thought I'd pay the £1 and only use Arriva for the day. Fair to say, by the time the time I got to Spennymoor on the 6, I was regretting the decision as the X21 was directly in front, with it's leather seats, tables and sockets. Once I got to Newcastle (via the X12, which was also a mistake), I decided to try the 'new' e400s they have on the X21, and if I'm being honest, Arriva's 'high spec' Sapphire buses are just on par with GNE's standard spec, except with an order of magnitude more rattles!On the way back home, I didn't fancy subjecting myself to the X12 again, so took the X21 and relaxed in comfort. I don't have any statistics to back up, but I regularly see a lot more passengers get on the X21 over the 6 at Durham, so I think regular passengers do appreciate the nicer buses.In fact, my mother (who knows less than nothing about buses) got the GNE X46 to Crook over the Arriva X46 because it "looked nicer". She didn't even know they were ran by two different companies.  So basically what I'm saying is, in a situation where the average person wants to get the bus, and they're not tied to any particular operator (ENCTS, Network One, one off user etc.), and the buses go to the same place, I'd be willing to bet that the majority would pick a bus the nicer bus. Network One and ENCTS, in particular as they would be more likely to try both operators

At dbs, people with no fixed ticket tend to catch whatever turns up first, out of the 6 and X21. If I'm travelling from fram to spenny, I will catch the X21 there for convenience, unless I need to pay for tickets both ways in which case it'll be arriva because I'm buggered if I'm standing at 4 Lane ends for 28 minutes because the time my meeting ended meant that I just missed the X21. I've spent enough of my life standing at that bus stop without restricting myself to twice hourly buses.

(21 Jul 2019, 9:24 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]Seen the x4 service today but on the screeñ it's destination was shown at redcar instead of Middlesbrough any particular reason


 Probably not enough capacity Couldn't the solos transfer to redcar as extra then that can relief 1759 and 4316  to be withdrawn

Is it just me or has this just become an Arriva bashing? Anyone got anything good to say about Arriva for a change?

Also in answer the question. It's highly likely 1417 will be back in new livery. Estimated time for its return is very soon... Watch this space!

(25 Jul 2019, 10:53 pm)Multi21 wrote [ -> ]Is it just me or has this just become an Arriva bashing? Anyone got anything good to say about Arriva for a change?

Also in answer the question. It's highly likely 1417 will be back in new livery. Estimated time for its return is very soon... Watch this space!

Broken down Streetlite at Billy Mill this morning Wink

I don't think it's Arriva bashing in the slightest. There's as much (if not more) complaints in the other operators threads to be fair.

(25 Jul 2019, 10:53 pm)Multi21 wrote [ -> ]Is it just me or has this just become an Arriva bashing? Anyone got anything good to say about Arriva for a change?

Also in answer the question. It's highly likely 1417 will be back in new livery. Estimated time for its return is very soon... Watch this space!

Maybe if Arriva did something good we would say it! ? I've actually said a few good things about Arriva recently, like how their Streetlite emergency doors don't rattle as much as GNE's, and how their tickets are cheaper.

If Arriva invested more in areas that have a high proportion of bus user's, it would make their service more attractive, and more sustainable...

Blyth still operate MPDs which have never had a repaint, and still run around Northumberland in the outdated 1998 livery...

Ashington have Solos which are many years behind a repaint, yet Arriva only take 'certain' services into consideration of upgrades.

I hope when Arriva is sold, the new operators take all vehicles, and all services into consideration of a standard approach which ensures each service recives similar investment, although I would exclude this from their premium brands.

(26 Jul 2019, 5:06 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]If Arriva invested more in areas that have a high proportion of bus user's, it would make their service more attractive, and more sustainable...

Blyth still operate MPDs which have never had a repaint, and still run around Northumberland in the outdated 1998 livery...

Ashington have Solos which are many years behind a repaint, yet Arriva only take 'certain' services into consideration of upgrades.

I hope when Arriva is sold, the new operators take all vehicles, and all services into consideration of a standard approach which ensures each service recives similar investment, although I would exclude this from their premium brands.

I think you've explained it really there. Lack of investment isn't Arrivas fault, it's DB.Every since Brexit was a thing, the value of the pound against the Euro has fallen, so their expected profit margin has decreased organically. Hence the now lack of investment and sale. The sooner Arriva get DB off of their back, the better for everyone - Arriva employees included.

(26 Jul 2019, 5:06 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]If Arriva invested more in areas that have a high proportion of bus user's, it would make their service more attractive, and more sustainable...
 

But why would Arriva 'waste' money improving services in areas that already have a high proportion of bus users. The lack of competition means that Arriva can get away with not investing anything as passengers have no choice but to use their service

(26 Jul 2019, 5:53 pm)RobinHood wrote [ -> ]
 I think you've explained it really there. Lack of investment isn't Arrivas fault, it's DB.Every since Brexit was a thing, the value of the pound against the Euro has fallen, so their expected profit margin has decreased organically. Hence the now lack of investment and sale. The sooner Arriva get DB off of their back, the better for everyone - Arriva employees included.

Hasn't the investment model been the same prior to DB? United, Tees and Northumbria never really saw huge investment.  The Oly's in early 80's, Lynxes/Volvo Oly's etc in mid/late 90's and a boat load of cascades either side.

Does anyone know why 1801 is off as every 57/57A board that should be 1801 is a Solo. Haven't seen it for 2 weeks at least.

(26 Jul 2019, 6:04 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]
 But why would Arriva 'waste' money improving services in areas that already have a high proportion of bus users. The lack of competition means that Arriva can get away with not investing anything as passengers have no choice but to use their service

If that was the case, why did Arriva launch Brand New Buses onto the Sapphire X21/X22, when there is very little competition... The likes of the 22/23/24 services are similar to the 56/57/57A, although only the first set of services have been upgraded to a premium standard. Let's not forget that the 57A is the key direct service linking Hartlepool with Durham, yet has no features available compared to service 24, which takes longer to reach Durham. I think with service investment it is based on a pick & choose basis, as soms services that are in their 'premium brands' don't warrant them.

(26 Jul 2019, 8:16 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]
If that was the case, why did Arriva launch Brand New Buses onto the Sapphire X21/X22, when there is very little competition... The likes of the 22/23/24 services are similar to the 56/57/57A, although only the first set of services have been upgraded to a premium standard. Let's not forget that the 57A is the key direct service linking Hartlepool with Durham, yet has no features available compared to service 24, which takes longer to reach Durham. I think with service investment it is based on a pick & choose basis, as soms services that are in their 'premium brands' don't warrant them.

Competition. 22/23/24 all have stiff competition from gne on significant stretches of their routes. On short hops and, at least until recently, for season tickets, they compete in price hut they also need to compete in comfort and features. 56/57/57a don't really have any competition, save the SB 58, which is hardly a luxury service, and seem to carry a high proportion of bus pass users.

(26 Jul 2019, 6:53 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]
 Hasn't the investment model been the same prior to DB? United, Tees and Northumbria never really saw huge investment.  The Oly's in early 80's, Lynxes/Volvo Oly's etc in mid/late 90's and a boat load of cascades either side.

Trying to think of NMS' key orders:- 1986/87 Leyland Olympians- 1989 Optare Deltas- 1994 Volvo Olympian Palatine II (Cummins L10)- 1995/96 Scania N113 East Lancs Cityzens- 1995/96 Scania L113 East Lancs Europeans- 1996/97 Scania L113 East Lancs Europeans- 1996/97 Volvo Olympian Palatine II (Volvo D10)- 1997/98 DAF SB3000 Plaxton Prima

(26 Jul 2019, 8:16 pm)S830OFT wrote [ -> ]If that was the case, why did Arriva launch Brand New Buses onto the Sapphire X21/X22, when there is very little competition... The likes of the 22/23/24 services are similar to the 56/57/57A, although only the first set of services have been upgraded to a premium standard. Let's not forget that the 57A is the key direct service linking Hartlepool with Durham, yet has no features available compared to service 24, which takes longer to reach Durham. I think with service investment it is based on a pick & choose basis, as soms services that are in their 'premium brands' don't warrant them.

(26 Jul 2019, 8:26 pm)BusLoverMum wrote [ -> ]Competition. 22/23/24 all have stiff competition from gne on significant stretches of their routes. On short hops and, at least until recently, for season tickets, they compete in price hut they also need to compete in comfort and features. 56/57/57a don't really have any competition & save the SB 58, which is hardly a luxury service and seem to carry a high proportion of bus pass users.

BusLoverMum summed it up but I feel there is more to add...

Obviously the services chosen to be upgraded are done on a pick and choose basis, you would pick a service that has a potential to benefit from an upgrade, many of the services under Sapphire brand run in urban areas that has the likelihood of gaining passengers from and sure enough numbers shot right up on many of these services after being upgraded.

The Durham to Hartlepool thing, the number seemingly making this full journey ain't a massive amount (really, I have to say this again! [emoji57]) and with the 22/23/24 & 56/57/57A it's a fair lot of passing from a village to a town/city centre or another village for shopping and whatever else like people in Wheatley Hill going to Durham, Peterlee or Sunderland.

The 22/23/24 run later in some form than the 56/57/57A do with the 57/57A winding down between 6 & 7pm wheras the 22 & 24 run later, granted the 56 runs into the night now (in place of X12) but it is allocated buses off other services due to interworking patterns so what would the point be in insisting in 'premium buses' on a service that only runs like 07:00 - 19:00 Monday to Saturday over a service that runs most of the day, would only make sense if these buses were allocated elsewhere in the evenings.

With all this in mind, I say all the services under the 'premium brands' are far more worthy of this treatment than the likes of the 57A which only really does anything between Durham and Bowburn, most times I see the 57A on the Trimdon Village to Hartlepool stretch the numbers are in single figures and doesn't operate in the evenings and Sundays. The only thing I can potentially see upgrading the stock on 56/57/57A is the fact GNE opted to pull out of Coundon which likely saw a slight rise in numbers from Coundon on the 56 but then again there's virtually no competition on the 56/57/57A routes now so that's less for Arriva to worry about.

(26 Jul 2019, 8:47 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]
 Trying to think of NMS' key orders:- 1986/87 Leyland Olympians- 1989 Optare Deltas- 1994 Volvo Olympian Palatine II (Cummins L10)- 1995/96 Scania N113 East Lancs Cityzens- 1995/96 Scania L113 East Lancs Europeans- 1996/97 Scania L113 East Lancs Europeans- 1996/97 Volvo Olympian Palatine II (Volvo D10)- 1997/98 DAF SB3000 Plaxton Prima

Metroriders aswell, not sure on the date on them. The pre DB Arriva wasn't particually the best neither but some people seem to forget the investment between 2001 and 2007 apart from Operation Overdrive was just as bad imo. In fact unless I missed some buses, Arriva Northumbria between 2001 and 2006 got the 3 commanders, and a few darts and that's the lot other than some rather questionable cascades such as the ex London Olympians on the 308, the Europeans branding for the Ashington Express buses when they were well past it, Metro Riders over 10 year old running flagship services often etc. I might be wrong here but if I'm right the first Arriva bus bought for their respective depot at Ashington would be the Centros in 2007 and Redcar the Temsa / Pulsars in 2009 not sure what they got first. It's no where near that bad currently and you have to give credit to DB for sorting out the complete mess they got when they inheritied it regardless to how little they're putting in now.

(26 Jul 2019, 9:14 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]BusLoverMum summed it up but I feel there is more to add...

Obviously the services chosen to be upgraded are done on a pick and choose basis, you would pick a service that has a potential to benefit from an upgrade, many of the services under Sapphire brand run in urban areas that has the likelihood of gaining passengers from and sure enough numbers shot right up on many of these services after being upgraded.

The Durham to Hartlepool thing, the number seemingly making this full journey ain't a massive amount (really, I have to say this again! [emoji57]) and with the 22/23/24 & 56/57/57A it's a fair lot of passing from a village to a town/city centre or another village for shopping and whatever else like people in Wheatley Hill going to Durham, Peterlee or Sunderland.

The 22/23/24 run later in some form than the 56/57/57A do with the 57/57A winding down between 6 & 7pm wheras the 22 & 24 run later, granted the 56 runs into the night now (in place of X12) but it is allocated buses off other services due to interworking patterns so what would the point be in insisting in 'premium buses' on a service that only runs like 07:00 - 19:00 Monday to Saturday over a service that runs most of the day, would only make sense if these buses were allocated elsewhere in the evenings.

With all this in mind, I say all the services under the 'premium brands' are far more worthy of this treatment than the likes of the 57A which only really does anything between Durham and Bowburn, most times I see the 57A on the Trimdon Village to Hartlepool stretch the numbers are in single figures and doesn't operate in the evenings and Sundays. The only thing I can potentially see upgrading the stock on 56/57/57A is the fact GNE opted to pull out of Coundon which likely saw a slight rise in numbers from Coundon on the 56 but then again there's virtually no competition on the 56/57/57A routes now so that's less for Arriva to worry about.

At risk of 'Arriva bashing' again, I feel like the Sapphire brand is a joke at this point. What is supposed to 'make my journey sparkle'? Because as far as I can tell, all they've done is stick a few stickers up that say 'Sapphire'. It's the same old buses that they run on any other routeAnd what is the difference between a MAX and Sapphire service other than the name?Not to be a GNE evangelist, but as I said previously, their 'standard' spec is equal to or higher than Arriva's Sapphire, even on the X21/X22. As much as I see people complain about them, I think the tables were a great idea, I'm always using them to work on the bus, plus it gives me a seat with legroom!  I'm not surprised GNE dropped Coundon, I only ever saw a couple people stay on the 18. And if I'm being totally honest, I'm very surprised they actually extended the X21 to Tindale, people I speak to at the stop let the X21 go by and get the 6 as they say the X21 takes too long because of the route it takes through Woodhouse

Has Arriva still got the Scholars 118 from September? I can't remember when they got it from JH Coaches.

Werent metroriders in production from 1993-1997

(26 Jul 2019, 10:18 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]At risk of 'Arriva bashing' again, I feel like the Sapphire brand is a joke at this point. What is supposed to 'make my journey sparkle'? Because as far as I can tell, all they've done is stick a few stickers up that say 'Sapphire'. It's the same old buses that they run on any other route. And what is the difference between a MAX and Sapphire service other than the name? Not to be a GNE evangelist, but as I said previously, their 'standard' spec is equal to or higher than Arriva's Sapphire, even on the X21/X22. As much as I see people complain about them, I think the tables were a great idea, I'm always using them to work on the bus, plus it gives me a seat with legroom! I'm not surprised GNE dropped Coundon, I only ever saw a couple people stay on the 18. And if I'm being totally honest, I'm very surprised they actually extended the X21 to Tindale, people I speak to at the stop let the X21 go by and get the 6 as they say the X21 takes too long because of the route it takes through Woodhouse

When Sapphire was launched it seemed to be more of a big deal as Arriva North East hadn't really had any buses with WiFi, e-leather seats or charging ports of any form prior to the introduction of Sapphire on service 7 back in late 2013 (only X66 coaches and Durham Park & Rides had WiFi pre Sapphire IIRC), over time more routes went Sapphire and then MAX came along with Sapphire still being the 'premium' offering for a while but later the MAX spec basically became the same minus the next stop announcements although Darlington MAX buses gained NSAs due to council requests or something. Now Sapphire and standard is more or less the same spec apart from being a different colour inside and out and no NSAs although Temsas haven't gained WiFi or USBs in their recent refurbs. I would say at this stage Sapphire, MAX & Frequenta is just a brand in the same sense as 'Angel' or 'Castles Express' is to GNE to some extents although personally I feel it is somewhat better to have a pretty standard spec for all routes and brands like GNE are doing.

(26 Jul 2019, 10:53 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]Werent metroriders in production from 1993-1997

According to Wikipedia, Metrorider's were in production from 1989 until 2000

(26 Jul 2019, 10:07 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ] I might be wrong here but if I'm right the first Arriva bus bought for their respective depot at Ashington would be the Centros in 2007 and Redcar the Temsa / Pulsars in 2009 not sure what they got first. It's no where near that bad currently and you have to give credit to DB for sorting out the complete mess they got when they inheritied it regardless to how little they're putting in now.

Anyone else screaming 4646 - 4659 2005 stock? 4660 - 4664 07 Plates7501 - 7516? 57 platesLowlanders 57 plates.. Solos 08s..Darts 05s

<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">

<p style="font-weight: 400; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">

<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Here are the list of stuff purchased new by Northumbria / Hunters (Under NMS Ownership)<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Coaches<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="font-weight: 400; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">12x Bova Futuras 113/114/119-122/131-133/136-138<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="font-weight: 400; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">2x G Reg Volvo B10M / Plaxton Coaches - 151/152 - Delivered 1990 (Disposed to Wessex after a few years)  5x R Reg DAF SB3000 / Plaxton Prima - 291 - 295 <span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">- Delivered<span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> 1997/1998<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Minibuses<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">60x D Reg Freight Rover Sherpas - 901 - 960 - Delivered 1986/1987<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">45x E Reg MCW MetroRiders - 801 - 845 - Delivered 1987/1988 - Some Went on Loan to Kentish Bus where one was Written Off<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">4x K Reg Optare MetroRider Series 2 - 851 - 854 - Delivered 1992<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">4x L Reg Optare MetroRider Series 2 - 855 - 858 - Delivered 1993<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">18x M Reg Optare MetroRider Series 3 - 859 - 876 - Delivered 1995<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">15x N Reg Optare MetroRider Series 3 - 877 - 891 - Delivered Spring 1996<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">5x P Reg Optare MetroRider Series 4 - 892 - 896 - Delivered Winter 1996<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">5x P Reg Optare MetroRider Series 4 - 57 - 61 (For Hunters) - Delivered <br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">3x P Reg Optare MetroRider Series 4 - 902 - 904 - Delivered July 1997<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">19x R Reg Optare MetroRider Series 4 - 905 - 923 - Delivered August 1997  <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Double Deckers<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="font-weight: 400; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">10x F Reg Leyland Olympian / Alexander RH - 303 - 312 - Delivered 1988<br style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"><span style="font-weight: 400; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; float: none; display: inline !important;">8x M Reg Volvo Olympian / N-C Palatine 2 - 370 - 377 - Delivered 1994  13x N Reg Scania N113DRB / ELC Cityzen - 381 - 393 - Delivered 1996 11x P Reg Volvo Olympian / N-C Palatine 2 - 410 - 420 - Delivered 1997<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Single Deckers<p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">4x G Reg DAF SB220 / Optare Delta - 251 - 254 - Delivered 1989 

<span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">4x G Reg <span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">DAF SB220 / Optare Delta - 255 - 258 - Delivered Spring 1990 <span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">9x H Reg <span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">DAF SB220 / Optare Delta - 259 - 267 - Delivered Winter 1990 10x N Reg Scania L113CRL / ELC European - 281 - 290 - Delivered 1995 10x P Reg Scania L113CRL / ELC European - 271 - 280 <span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">- Delivered<span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> 1996 1x R Reg DAF SB220LF / N-C Paladin LF - 701 - Delivered 1997 <p style="margin: 0px; padding: 0px; font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;">Rebodied Vehicles<span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;">5x Leyland Leopard chassis Rebodied by Duple - 203<span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;"> - 207<span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; display: inline !important; float: none;"> <span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">- Delivered 1987 1x Leyland Olympian chassis Rebodied by Northern Counties - 353<span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;"> - Delivered 1992 1x Leyland National rebodied under the ELC National Greenway scheme - 702 <span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial; float: none; display: inline !important;">- Delivered<span style="color: rgb(17, 17, 17); font-family: Tahoma, Verdana, Arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; font-style: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-caps: normal; font-weight: 400; letter-spacing: normal; orphans: 2; text-align: start; text-indent: 0px; text-transform: none; white-space: normal; widows: 2; word-spacing: 0px; -webkit-text-stroke-width: 0px; text-decoration-style: initial; text-decoration-color: initial;"> 1992

 There's also a great deal of secondhand vehicles acquired from other operators or through takeovers of Rochester and Marshall, Hunter's and Moor Dale.

(26 Jul 2019, 11:22 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]When Sapphire was launched it seemed to be more of a big deal as Arriva North East hadn't really had any buses with WiFi, e-leather seats or charging ports of any form prior to the introduction of Sapphire on service 7 back in late 2013 (only X66 coaches and Durham Park & Rides had WiFi pre Sapphire IIRC), over time more routes went Sapphire and then MAX came along with Sapphire still being the 'premium' offering for a while but later the MAX spec basically became the same minus the next stop announcements although Darlington MAX buses gained NSAs due to council requests or something. Now Sapphire and standard is more or less the same spec apart from being a different colour inside and out and no NSAs although Temsas haven't gained WiFi or USBs in their recent refurbs. I would say at this stage Sapphire, MAX & Frequenta is just a brand in the same sense as 'Angel' or 'Castles Express' is to GNE to some extents although personally I feel it is somewhat better to have a pretty standard spec for all routes and brands like GNE are doing. 

Yeah, I remember reading somewhere that when Sapphire launched they were trying to make it all premium, with the drivers having different uniforms, and being trained to be polite etc. but they seemed to give up on that plan pretty quickly. Like you say, it's just become a brand, except unlike GNE's they don't really serve a purpose

(26 Jul 2019, 11:41 pm)Multi21 wrote [ -> ]
 Anyone else screaming 4646 - 4659 2005 stock? 4660 - 4664 07 Plates7501 - 7516? 57 platesLowlanders 57 plates.. Solos 08s..Darts 05s

I know I mentioned them (Operation Overdrive)? I was talking specifically about the two depots Redcar and Ashington and the first bus which theygot after they were rebranded under Arriva. Overdrive was Durham / Darlington. Stockton had the cadets, Jesmond the Volvo's and Tridents then Blyth the Commanders and few darts.

(26 Jul 2019, 10:07 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]
 Metroriders aswell, not sure on the date on them. The pre DB Arriva wasn't particually the best neither but some people seem to forget the investment between 2001 and 2007 apart from Operation Overdrive was just as bad imo. In fact unless I missed some buses, Arriva Northumbria between 2001 and 2006 got the 3 commanders, and a few darts and that's the lot other than some rather questionable cascades such as the ex London Olympians on the 308, the Europeans branding for the Ashington Express buses when they were well past it, Metro Riders over 10 year old running flagship services often etc. I might be wrong here but if I'm right the first Arriva bus bought for their respective depot at Ashington would be the Centros in 2007 and Redcar the Temsa / Pulsars in 2009 not sure what they got first. It's no where near that bad currently and you have to give credit to DB for sorting out the complete mess they got when they inheritied it regardless to how little they're putting in now.

Exactly this. Pre-DB, there was very little continuous investment over quite a period of time. Yes, there was the odd 'splurge', but not consistent.

(27 Jul 2019, 10:46 am)Storx wrote [ -> ]
 I know I mentioned them (Operation Overdrive)? I was talking specifically about the two depots Redcar and Ashington and the first bus which theygot after they were rebranded under Arriva. Overdrive was Durham / Darlington. Stockton had the cadets, Jesmond the Volvo's and Tridents then Blyth the Commanders and few darts.

Some of the Cadets were new to Redcar. And 2 MPDs for the 82.

(26 Jul 2019, 8:07 pm)Citaro5338 wrote [ -> ]Does anyone know why 1801 is off as every 57/57A board that should be 1801 is a Solo. Haven't seen it for 2 weeks at least.

It's been on the bingo shuttle today

Stockton are operating the Saltburn Food Festival Park & Ride shuttles today using:

FF1 Guisborough: 1404, 1415, 1441, 1443
FF2 Brotton: 2850 (on loan from Darlington for the day)

Are the new buses for Arriva Jesmond depot for service 306?

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