(01 May 2018, 3:12 pm)Jimmi I ain't particularly sure on what the rules are for using vans on service work but it must be acceptable to some degree as other operators use stuff like Transit's on service work, especially in rural areas. That said, I think some of their contracted services do specify that low floor buses should be used.

(01 May 2018, 3:44 pm)Tom Am I right in thinking they are classed as a coach, so DDA rules don't apply until 2020?

(22 May 2018, 4:47 pm)Jimmi The Enviro 200 has been repainted (mostly):
PCL Travel: YX58DXB by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

• Registration number: PB1069957/24

• Licence Number: PB1069957

• Variation number: 0

• Status: New

• Service number: 51A

• Service type: Normal Stopping

• Start point: Morpeth

• Finish point: St Mary's Stannington
  Via
  Date received: 20 Jun 2018
  Effective date: 06 Jul 2018
  End date
  

• Supported by subsidies?: Yes
  

• Local authorities covered by route: Northumberland County Council
  

• TAOs covered by route: North East of England
  

(21 Jun 2018, 1:30 pm)Jimmi

• Registration number: PB1069957/24

• Licence Number: PB1069957

• Variation number: 0

• Status: New

• Service number: 51A

• Service type: Normal Stopping

• Start point: Morpeth

• Finish point: St Mary's StanningtonViaDate received: 20 Jun 2018Effective date: 06 Jul 2018End date

• Supported by subsidies?: Yes

• Local authorities covered by route: Northumberland County Council

• TAOs covered by route: North East of England

(30 Jun 2018, 7:35 pm)Jimmi PCL have acquired another Primo
PCL Travel: KX07KNZ by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

Iveco GN06UEK is still with PCL but has now had the L&B names removed so looks like this could be staying with them for use on the 15/16.

(24 Jul 2018, 6:38 pm)Jimmi New in at PCL are:

Former Abellio London MPD KX06LYS (on services 15/16)
PCL Travel: KX06LYS by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

Renault WX06UYP (on services A1/M1)
PCL Travel: WX06UYP by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr


Plaxton Primo KX08HMA (on service S1)

(15 Aug 2018, 7:25 pm)S830OFT Is that Sunshine Coach PCL have DDA Compliant? As I noticed it is Step Entrance. And if it is allocated to routes alike the 15 it may be hard for the elderly and disabled passengers to board.

(15 Aug 2018, 9:01 pm)James101 PSVAR/DDA doesn’t apply to vehicles with less than 22 passenger capacity.

I’m torn on opinion on PCL. Clearly their vehicles and presentation standards are not ideal but neither is the owner on a yacht in the Maldives whilst the pensioners of Croquetdale suffer. PCL are a marginal operator working scraps of services not profitable enough for Arriva to bother. Certainly, the output of Spirit Buses was much better, but clearly unsustainable. The issue here, I feel, is government policy on supported services more generally.

What is unacceptable, however, is dropping journies randomly on such infrequent routes. Again, much of the blame lies with PCL here, but maybe if they, or others, were paid a fair amount for the carriage of passengers it would be a better story?

(15 Aug 2018, 10:01 pm)S830OFT Im thinking maybe PCL could operate a commercial service to Newcastle by simply extending one of the Wooler services using a Versa. I could actually see it working as Arriva prove themselves unreliable when it comes to Alnwick services.

Suggestion:
Route N1 'The Northern Direct' 
Alnwick - Willowburn - Shilbottle - A1 - Morpeth - Stannington - Dinnington - Newcastle Airport - Newcastle St. Thomas Street - Central Station.


This service will replace service S1/S2 in Stannington, it will reinstate the link to Newcastle, it will allow links to Train and Flight Connections by serving Newcastle Airport and Central Station. Also will allow more choice for passengers, in particular Alnwick to Morpeth as the current X15 is always delayed for various reasons.