(31 Dec 2014, 5:45 pm)tyresmoke They probably just want turning down. All of our drivers know how to do it at Stockton, but we are 'forbidden' from touching them. If they're too high they'll get turned down though!

(01 Jan 2015, 11:54 am)aureolin Seems sensible that they don't want everyone fiddling with them. If there's an inconsistency across the fleet, they'll end up with complaints they're too loud and complaints they're too quiet. 

(01 Jan 2015, 11:54 am)aureolin Seems sensible that they don't want everyone fiddling with them. If there's an inconsistency across the fleet, they'll end up with complaints they're too loud and complaints they're too quiet. 

(01 Jan 2015, 1:10 pm)tyresmoke That and there is auditors that go around undercover to check on these things, so if they're too quiet they will get found out. They are too loud when installed though, practically shouting. Passengers did complain.

(01 Jan 2015, 1:39 pm)citaro5284 Auditors - do you mean mystery shoppers?

(01 Jan 2015, 2:16 pm)tyresmoke We do have mystery shoppers but we also have the Sapphire implementation team (people from various divisions) who travel around checking - they were in the North East a few weeks ago.... wonder what they thought of Ashington's offering??

(01 Jan 2015, 2:16 pm)tyresmoke We do have mystery shoppers but we also have the Sapphire implementation team (people from various divisions) who travel around checking - they were in the North East a few weeks ago.... wonder what they thought of Ashington's offering??

(01 Jan 2015, 2:16 pm)tyresmoke We do have mystery shoppers but we also have the Sapphire implementation team (people from various divisions) who travel around checking - they were in the North East a few weeks ago.... wonder what they thought of Ashington's offering??

(01 Jan 2015, 2:31 pm)citaro5284 And with this in mind, what powers do these people have to put things right or is it just a case of a jolly around the UK to look at buses?

(01 Jan 2015, 2:31 pm)citaro5284 And with this in mind, what powers do these people have to put things right or is it just a case of a jolly around the UK to look at buses?

If there is an implementation team which is part of Arriva UK and not local management, how come we have different standards across the Sapphire brand - things like different colour destination displays.

(01 Jan 2015, 3:06 pm)aureolin Or more importantly - seating configuration/passenger comfort. 


CX14BXV - Interior Shot. by Iveco 59-12, on Flickr


Arriva North East: 7523 / NK14 GFO by mdw9121, on Flickr

(01 Jan 2015, 3:10 pm)mb134 Just as a suggestion, could it be that the X21/22 require the additional capacity these smaller seats give at peak times? Virtually every bus I see leaving Newcastle/ going into Newcastle at peak times are packed?

(01 Jan 2015, 3:12 pm)aureolin You'd argue it shouldn't be 'Sapphire' if that's the case. A brand is a standard, and you'd expect the Sapphire standard in every branded vehicle you enter. If they required the extra seats, they could have used the 'MAX' standard they've created for the North East & Yorkshire, whilst still providing the eleather seats and WiFi. No next stop screens mind.

(01 Jan 2015, 3:10 pm)mb134 Just as a suggestion, could it be that the X21/22 require the additional capacity these smaller seats give at peak times? Virtually every bus I see leaving Newcastle/ going into Newcastle at peak times are packed?

(01 Jan 2015, 3:06 pm)aureolin Or more importantly - seating configuration/passenger comfort. 


CX14BXV - Interior Shot. by Iveco 59-12, on Flickr


Arriva North East: 7523 / NK14 GFO by mdw9121, on Flickr

The seating in the new E400s for example, are no different to what GNE have in the TTX B9s, apart from the they're eleather rather than fabric? Does eleather provide any additional comfort, or is it simply easier to maintain? It'd take me about 5 minutes per fabric seat to properly foam clean it, whereas I could wipe clean an eleather seat in a couple of seconds?

More positively though, I am a fan of the interior colour scheme and branding both inside and out. I found the next stop announcements good too, as whenever I've used a Sapphire route, I've not actually known where I am. I found the volume excessive on the Pulsars on the 7, but it seemed alright on the E400s I had on my trip up to Ashington. 

I do think that next stop screens should be provided as standard, but perhaps could be a bit more helpful. It'd be good if Arriva (and GNE actually) displayed ticket boundaries. So if I was on the 7, it'd show me the boundary point for the Durham District ticket, for example. It'd be a bit easier for GNE to do this, with perhaps a Buzzfare banner along the top or bottom of the screen.

(01 Jan 2015, 3:10 pm)mb134 Just as a suggestion, could it be that the X21/22 require the additional capacity these smaller seats give at peak times? Virtually every bus I see leaving Newcastle/ going into Newcastle at peak times are packed?

(01 Jan 2015, 3:57 pm)tyresmoke The Leicester one with the Civic V2's was one of the 4 "trial" routes to see what worked. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see that one gain newer vehicles than cascaded London B7TL's.

(01 Jan 2015, 3:57 pm)tyresmoke The Leicester one with the Civic V2's was one of the 4 "trial" routes to see what worked. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see that one gain newer vehicles than cascaded London B7TL's.

(01 Jan 2015, 4:05 pm)mb134 I don't fully understand what they've done with them though, as if they were trialling those seats, they would have them upstairs and down not a mixture? It looks as though they've got what the North East's Sapphire buses have on their downstairs and those V2's upstairs?