North East Buses

How many of Stockton E300 are going to be swop?

Do any of the smaller operators running Presidents and Tridents run services through the CAZ area, Scholars services for example?

I know they often cover Metro Replacements but we don’t know if this work will be exempt to begin with.

(05 Oct 2021, 11:17 am)peter wrote [ -> ]I think part of the problem with Arriva's fleet is that they have too many Solo's for their present operation. And so you end up with the situation at Jesmond where there's a mixture of everything on all services because they need to try and allocate the Solo's to the boards with the fewest passengers. We've seen Blyth essentially remove it's midi-bus fleet by nabbing Pulsars which have been made spare elsewhere due to Covid reductions, but the likes of Durham and Newcastle have too many smaller vehicles which are then having to be used on services which need higher capacity.

Hopefully when it gets to the point in a few years time where a vast wave of the fleet is due for replacement, that a smaller amount of midibuses are purchased to fulfil the needs primarily at Darlington and then the odd few services elsewhere (95 at Whitby, 46/51/55/553 at Jesmond, 57/57A at Ashington and 58 at Blyth). And then the rest of the Solo's replaced by larger vehicles so that they don't have to be allocated to frontline services such as the 52/53/54 for example and can be taken out of Durham's fleet allowing the 56/57/57A/58 and 49/49A to be operated with more appropriately sized vehicles.

Yeah your right tbh. Mind for the 57/57A (Ashington) you'd probably be better off running them with some form of midi bus even known they're not really needed capacity wise. It would be easier to have one type of bus for the 35 / 57 / 57A / X14 rather than having different fleets running different routes. The 1 / 2 / 58 at Blyth could be same as no doubt over time they won't need 10.8m Pulsar's either unless you can somehow get Jesmond running the 58.

The Durham services and the 52/53/54/55 could all be ran by them aswell something like a 9.7m/10.4m vehicle with 29/33 forward seats would be more than enough. Least it brings a bit of fleet continuity so things can be swapped around easier rather that what we have at Ashington currently with the Solo's running on the X21 etc while 7510 has worked itself on the 57 boards again and everything being allover the place at both Jesmond and Durham.

(05 Oct 2021, 9:03 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Why do they need to put ALX300s through MOT? Surely it’d just be a swap of existing fleet, without impacting on MOT requirements?


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I think the 03 plates were all assumed to be withdrawn, but without any hope of anything new for the North East, the only option was to sort them out and get them ready for the switch.

(05 Oct 2021, 12:35 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Do any of the smaller operators running Presidents and Tridents run services through the CAZ area, Scholars services for example?

I know they often cover Metro Replacements but we don’t know if this work will be exempt to begin with.

Jh have a few but haven't seen a Metro replacement contract over in Newcastle in a few months 
L&G do but there only put onto Metro replacement if its an emergency

(05 Oct 2021, 12:35 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Do any of the smaller operators running Presidents and Tridents run services through the CAZ area, Scholars services for example?

I know they often cover Metro Replacements but we don’t know if this work will be exempt to begin with.

I'd imagine the CAZ will force Nexus' hand to change tender specification to be Euro 6 on school bus services, ensuring operators have CAZ-compliant buses for Metro Replacement, rail replacement, and other special events - this can be done at relatively low expense through exhaust upgrades as we've seen on operators' commercial services.

I'd not expect Metro Replacement to be exempt from the CAZ.

(05 Oct 2021, 12:35 pm)ne14ne1 wrote [ -> ]Do any of the smaller operators running Presidents and Tridents run services through the CAZ area, Scholars services for example?

I know they often cover Metro Replacements but we don’t know if this work will be exempt to begin with.

There's that Weardale job that runs via Sandyford into town for one.

Is it possible that more than likely GNE, Arriva and Stagecoach would end up being awarded metro replacement in Newcastle area then Jh and others doing Metro replacement out of Newcastle

(05 Oct 2021, 1:53 pm)Train8261 wrote [ -> ]Is it possible that more than likely GNE, Arriva and Stagsden would end up being awarded metro replacement in Newcastle area then Jh and others doing Metro replacement out of Newcastle

No. Arriva can't bid for Metro Replacement, the only operators that can are Go North East, Stagecoach and JH Coaches.

Stagecoach have never bid for a Metro Replacement contract yet (presumably isn't worth the hassle to them), so it's only really out of Go North East and JH Coaches. As I said before, I'd imagine Nexus will specify that the Miscellaneous Works contracts from September 2022 must be Euro 6. All the buses operating these services currently (Volvo B7TL, Scania OmniDekka, Dennis Trident) can be upgraded to Euro 6.

(05 Oct 2021, 2:02 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]No. Arriva can't bid for Metro Replacement, the only operators that can are Go North East, Stagecoach and JH Coaches.

Stagecoach have never bid for a Metro Replacement contract yet (presumably isn't worth the hassle to them), so it's only really out of Go North East and JH Coaches. As I said before, I'd imagine Nexus will specify that the Miscellaneous Works contracts from September 2022 must be Euro 6. All the buses operating these services currently (Volvo B7TL, Scania OmniDekka, Dennis Trident) can be upgraded to Euro 6.

I'm guessing Stagecoach won't is because I remember back In early 2020. Stagecoach got awarded a Metro replacement contract between Regent Centre and Heworth. Stagecoach put what of 6 buses while Stanley Travel and GNE had to give the rest out. Yet we're on hire to Stagecoach

(05 Oct 2021, 1:53 pm)Train8261 wrote [ -> ]Is it possible that more than likely GNE, Arriva and Stagsden  would end up being awarded metro replacement in Newcastle area then Jh and others doing Metro replacement out of Newcastle

Getting in before anyone else does!
Are they a new company, similar to Ssriva, Lothian of Derwentside etc?

(05 Oct 2021, 2:46 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Getting in before anyone else does!
Are they a new company, similar to Ssriva, Lothian of Derwentside etc?

Bloody autocorrect. It said stagecoach when typed stagecoach 

(05 Oct 2021, 1:12 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]Yeah your right tbh. Mind for the 57/57A (Ashington) you'd probably be better off running them with some form of midi bus even known they're not really needed capacity wise. It would be easier to have one type of bus for the 35 / 57 / 57A / X14 rather than having different fleets running different routes. The 1 / 2 / 58 at Blyth could be same as no doubt over time they won't need 10.8m Pulsar's either unless you can somehow get Jesmond running the 58.

The Durham services and the 52/53/54/55 could all be ran by them aswell something like a 9.7m/10.4m vehicle with 29/33 forward seats would be more than enough. Least it brings a bit of fleet continuity so things can be swapped around easier rather that what we have at Ashington currently with the Solo's running on the X21 etc while 7510 has worked itself on the 57 boards again and everything being allover the place at both Jesmond and Durham.

Yeah I agree, Arriva's system of regulation and lack of fixed allocation makes them the ideal candidates for fleet standardisation and yet they don't seem to really employ it. I do hope they might take the opportunity during the next fleet renewal. 

-Ashington and Blyth are fairly simple really, I think replacing the remaining single-decks with double-decks on the 'former' MAX services would help, with just the 1/2, 57/57A, and 58 as non-double deck. No route specific branding (except Sapphire X21/X22) and all the same vehicles would make regulation and allocation a much more effective process. 
-Jesmond is slightly more complex but I think more standardised single and double deck fleets e.g. Streetlites and E400's for generic allocation across the 43/44/45, 52/53/54, 306 and 685 would help, with Solo's used on everything else.
-Darlington do okay with Solo's on the town services and then larger vehicles on the long distance services - obviously the Omnicities are crying out to be replaced.
-Redcar I think could do with some more Streetlites so they can make the full allocation on the X3/X3A/X4 and remove their now dwindling fleet of Pulsars - definitely think a swap with those currently at Belmont would make sense, and then Temsa's cover everything else.
-Stockton does best with a fleet almost entirely made up of Pulsars - I reckon the Centros could be used elsewhere - Ashington or Blyth maybe.
-Durham I think is in the worst position with a very mismatched fleet. A standardised set of single and double decks for use on the 6/7/22/23/24/43/X46/48/64/X12 and then a minibus fleet for the 49/49A/56/57/57A/61/62 would be ideal but I don't know how achievable.

Why can't Arriva bid for metro replacement? Have I missed something?!

(06 Oct 2021, 7:28 am)idiot wrote [ -> ]Why can't Arriva bid for metro replacement? Have I missed something?!

Operators need to ‘sign up’ at the start of the term for planned Metro Replacement - only Go North East, Stagecoach and JH Coaches signed up.


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(05 Oct 2021, 2:46 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Getting in before anyone else does!
Are they a new company, similar to Ssriva, Lothian of Derwentside etc?

Funny you mention this.

On my walk to work this morning, I noticed a TfL bus operating the 794. With all these new operators, such as Lothian of Derwentside and Transdev of Sacriston, operating in the area, I guess Transport for Derwentside (TfD) has had to step in to sort everything out before it becomes a complete mess.

(06 Oct 2021, 8:38 am)MurdnunoC wrote [ -> ]Funny you mention this.

On my walk to work this morning, I noticed a TfL bus operating the 794. With all these new operators, such as Lothian of Derwentside and Transdev of Sacriston, operating in the area, I guess Transport for Derwentside (TfD) has had to step in to sort everything out before it becomes a complete mess.

That might be one of Weardale Moter Service new bus

(06 Oct 2021, 9:08 am)Train8261 wrote [ -> ]That might be one of Weardale Moter Service new bus

Correct, I passed an ex London Scania Omnicity DD in Sandyford on Monday. It was all over red with a Weardale fleet name. I also saw it (or a similar one) on a scholars working in Wallsend yesterday. I think the two services could be operated by the same bus.

(06 Oct 2021, 9:29 am)RMF1254 wrote [ -> ]Correct, I passed an ex London Scania Omnicity DD in Sandyford on Monday. It was all over red with a Weardale fleet name. I also saw it (or a similar one) on a scholars working in Wallsend yesterday. I think the two services could be operated by the same bus.

It would make sense considering the mileage.

(06 Oct 2021, 9:29 am)RMF1254 wrote [ -> ]Correct, I passed an ex London Scania Omnicity DD in Sandyford on Monday. It was all over red with a Weardale fleet name. I also saw it (or a similar one) on a scholars working in Wallsend yesterday. I think the two services could be operated by the same bus.

Yea does a 794 to the D,S,S then 681 Scholars then in the afternoon does 681 Scholars then 794 D,S,S

(06 Oct 2021, 7:29 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]Operators need to ‘sign up’ at the start of the term for planned Metro Replacement - only Go North East, Stagecoach and JH Coaches signed up.


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Thanks for the reply. How often do these come up?

(05 Oct 2021, 2:02 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]No. Arriva can't bid for Metro Replacement, the only operators that can are Go North East, Stagecoach and JH Coaches.

Stagecoach have never bid for a Metro Replacement contract yet (presumably isn't worth the hassle to them), so it's only really out of Go North East and JH Coaches. As I said before, I'd imagine Nexus will specify that the Miscellaneous Works contracts from September 2022 must be Euro 6. All the buses operating these services currently (Volvo B7TL, Scania OmniDekka, Dennis Trident) can be upgraded to Euro 6.

The last time i saw Stagecoach run the 900,was like 2003,theyve probably done again since then but i havent seen it

(06 Oct 2021, 11:54 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]The last time i saw Stagecoach run the 900,was like 2003,theyve probably done again since then but i havent seen it

They had some work when the Shields extension was ongoing alongside some connected work. 
Can remember being lumbered on a replacement one night after going to Ocean Road and then the Customs House. I'd completely forgot the metros weren't running, but had planned the return leg around the 4 from Heworth.

(06 Oct 2021, 11:54 pm)V514DFT wrote [ -> ]The last time i saw Stagecoach run the 900,was like 2003,theyve probably done again since then but i havent seen it

They operated the 900 in Aug 2018 between Four Lane Ends and Monument to allow for modernisation work on the line.

What's happening with the Toon Tour Euro 6?

(27 Nov 2021, 7:07 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]What's happening with the Toon Tour Euro 6?

Think there using the Ex London Open Toppers

(27 Nov 2021, 7:36 pm)Train8261 wrote [ -> ]Think there using the Ex London Open Toppers

So what will the current 3 be used for? 

AD122's? X66's? 19's? 61's? 

Really if they based 2 at Hexham, One at Deptford or Riverside could get some nice services.

(27 Nov 2021, 7:41 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]So what will the current 3 be used for? 

AD122's? X66's? 19's? 61's? 

Really if they based 2 at Hexham, One at Deptford or Riverside could get some nice services.

Knowing GNE. Sold as they don't meet Euro 6 or scrapped

Does anyone think there will be a Euro 7,

(07 Dec 2021, 11:29 pm)Keeiajs wrote [ -> ]Does anyone think there will be a Euro 7,

Already is. Due to be announced soon, if not already.