Arriva North East: Service Suggestions
Arriva North East: Service Suggestions
(25 Jul 2015, 4:14 pm)NK57 GWX The reason why I chose X41/X42 is because the X31/32/33 used old buses and was a confusing network. You also suggest ripping out NSAs, refurbishing Sapphire buses to MAX and modifying buses to have buggy bays, which will leave passengers complaining about a lack of seats...?
My posts are a bit scattered so here's it all in one post.
- Sapphire X21/X22 rebranded as Sapphire Express X41/X42 - No timetable or route changes. Nine new Enviro400s which will...
- Displace 7501-7509 to upgrade routes 35/35A to Sapphire and a 10-minute frequency, refurbishing 1579-1581 to Sapphire if needs be.
- Overall, passenger satisfaction will rise with the introduction of a full new (and 2014) X41/X42 fleet and upgraded quality on the 35/35A which currently have a mix of non-WiFi ex-London DLAs and WiFi Wright StreetLites.
(25 Jul 2015, 4:14 pm)NK57 GWX The reason why I chose X41/X42 is because the X31/32/33 used old buses and was a confusing network. You also suggest ripping out NSAs, refurbishing Sapphire buses to MAX and modifying buses to have buggy bays, which will leave passengers complaining about a lack of seats...?
My posts are a bit scattered so here's it all in one post.
- Sapphire X21/X22 rebranded as Sapphire Express X41/X42 - No timetable or route changes. Nine new Enviro400s which will...
- Displace 7501-7509 to upgrade routes 35/35A to Sapphire and a 10-minute frequency, refurbishing 1579-1581 to Sapphire if needs be.
- Overall, passenger satisfaction will rise with the introduction of a full new (and 2014) X41/X42 fleet and upgraded quality on the 35/35A which currently have a mix of non-WiFi ex-London DLAs and WiFi Wright StreetLites.
(25 Jul 2015, 4:24 pm)NK64 EEH I fully agree that something needs to be done to clear up the image of the X21/22, be it a new 'express' tagline, which I think would help promote the service, or more timetables posted through people's letterboxes. I don't think people know how frequent the service is, or how quick it is, the X22 is 57 minutes start to finish, with the X21 being similar from Newcastle to Ashington.
I know this will sound unbelievably hypocritical, BUT, I think 7501-9 should be kept on for the time being. I see the next few weeks as a perfect opportunity to give each of them a good look over mechanically, and get one of the NW Pulsars on loan to cover?
(25 Jul 2015, 4:24 pm)NK64 EEH I fully agree that something needs to be done to clear up the image of the X21/22, be it a new 'express' tagline, which I think would help promote the service, or more timetables posted through people's letterboxes. I don't think people know how frequent the service is, or how quick it is, the X22 is 57 minutes start to finish, with the X21 being similar from Newcastle to Ashington.
I know this will sound unbelievably hypocritical, BUT, I think 7501-9 should be kept on for the time being. I see the next few weeks as a perfect opportunity to give each of them a good look over mechanically, and get one of the NW Pulsars on loan to cover?
(25 Jul 2015, 4:34 pm)NK14 GFU Do you mind not changing the name in my post?
Time-being: until the new orders
The 14-reg batch have had the Eco systems fixed, if they can sort 7501-7509 (INCLUDING 7505!!!) they'll still be going on the 35...
Why don't you go and catch your improved number 2 to go and find 7505...
(25 Jul 2015, 4:34 pm)NK14 GFU Do you mind not changing the name in my post?
Time-being: until the new orders
The 14-reg batch have had the Eco systems fixed, if they can sort 7501-7509 (INCLUDING 7505!!!) they'll still be going on the 35...
Why don't you go and catch your improved number 2 to go and find 7505...
(25 Jul 2015, 4:55 pm)Y258 KNB Have the 14-plates always had them fitted, I was on 7524 on Tuesday and it felt as powerful as ever?
Think they could put 7501-4 on the 35 along with 1579-81 (would that cover the PVR?), 7505/7 could stay on the X21/22, with 7506/8/9 acting as spares for both?
The 'improved number 2' is now further away from my house than the current number 2! I'll get the X21 and hope it's 7524....
(25 Jul 2015, 4:55 pm)Y258 KNB Have the 14-plates always had them fitted, I was on 7524 on Tuesday and it felt as powerful as ever?
Think they could put 7501-4 on the 35 along with 1579-81 (would that cover the PVR?), 7505/7 could stay on the X21/22, with 7506/8/9 acting as spares for both?
The 'improved number 2' is now further away from my house than the current number 2! I'll get the X21 and hope it's 7524....
(25 Jul 2015, 5:09 pm)D178 FYM What I've been told, yes. They had the system tweaked a few weeks ago.
7505 needs to break down and never start up again...
Aww, what a pity...
(25 Jul 2015, 5:09 pm)D178 FYM What I've been told, yes. They had the system tweaked a few weeks ago.
7505 needs to break down and never start up again...
Aww, what a pity...
(25 Jul 2015, 5:15 pm)V213 DJR Ahh, fair enough
Leave 7505 alone! Once Ashington fix it, get yourself on it, you'll regret wanting it to 'never start up' ;
Didn't like the allocation on the 2 anyway...
With the X20 now extending to Alnwick, will the vehicle requirement increase by one or two? Also, is the frequency between Ashington and Newcastle increasing?
(25 Jul 2015, 5:15 pm)V213 DJR Ahh, fair enough
Leave 7505 alone! Once Ashington fix it, get yourself on it, you'll regret wanting it to 'never start up' ;
Didn't like the allocation on the 2 anyway...
With the X20 now extending to Alnwick, will the vehicle requirement increase by one or two? Also, is the frequency between Ashington and Newcastle increasing?
(25 Jul 2015, 4:14 pm)GX03 SVC The reason why I chose X41/X42 is because the X31/32/33 used old buses and was a confusing network. You also suggest ripping out NSAs, refurbishing Sapphire buses to MAX and modifying buses to have buggy bays, which will leave passengers complaining about a lack of seats...?
My posts are a bit scattered so here's it all in one post.
- Sapphire X21/X22 rebranded as Sapphire Express X41/X42 - No timetable or route changes. Nine new Enviro400s which will...
- Displace 7501-7509 to upgrade routes 35/35A to Sapphire and a 10-minute frequency, refurbishing 1579-1581 to Sapphire if needs be.
- Overall, passenger satisfaction will rise with the introduction of a full new (and 2014) X41/X42 fleet and upgraded quality on the 35/35A which currently have a mix of non-WiFi ex-London DLAs and WiFi Wright StreetLites.
(25 Jul 2015, 4:14 pm)GX03 SVC The reason why I chose X41/X42 is because the X31/32/33 used old buses and was a confusing network. You also suggest ripping out NSAs, refurbishing Sapphire buses to MAX and modifying buses to have buggy bays, which will leave passengers complaining about a lack of seats...?
My posts are a bit scattered so here's it all in one post.
- Sapphire X21/X22 rebranded as Sapphire Express X41/X42 - No timetable or route changes. Nine new Enviro400s which will...
- Displace 7501-7509 to upgrade routes 35/35A to Sapphire and a 10-minute frequency, refurbishing 1579-1581 to Sapphire if needs be.
- Overall, passenger satisfaction will rise with the introduction of a full new (and 2014) X41/X42 fleet and upgraded quality on the 35/35A which currently have a mix of non-WiFi ex-London DLAs and WiFi Wright StreetLites.
(25 Jul 2015, 3:59 pm)aureolin But neither do you? If you were such a commercial wiz yourself, then you'd be getting head-hunted by bus companies left right and centre.
Davey's ideas may be a bit OTT, but at least he's taking the time to think them out, and trying to put some justification behind it.
(25 Jul 2015, 3:59 pm)aureolin But neither do you? If you were such a commercial wiz yourself, then you'd be getting head-hunted by bus companies left right and centre.
Davey's ideas may be a bit OTT, but at least he's taking the time to think them out, and trying to put some justification behind it.
Or, if you don't want to make things complicated and instead just have three services:
- X20 = As it is
- X33 = Simply keep it has X22 but with the suggestion that I made above with Arriva (MAX) spec.
For the X31 / X32, keep it as the X21 but with the new route between Bedlington Red Lion and Newcastle. The 35 and X20 currently serve North Seaton well enough. But for the X21, same ideas as the suggestion above but all journeys via Wansbeck Hospital and running as X21 under SAPPHIRE brand. The X21 would then be the 'main' service between Newcastle and Ashington with the X20 providing super fast links as now and the X22 providing local links.
It would then work like this:
- X20 = As now
- X21 = Same route as now but via Hartford Road rather than Neddderton and only calling at Regent Centre, Gosforth and Barras Bridge (to NCL) after Seaton Burn Services. Revised to operate every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime with a PVR of 11 SAPPHIRE Spec E400s. Evening and Sunday journeys operate every 60 minutes and additionally serve Brunton Lane and Polwarth Drive.
- X22 = Same route and stopping arrrangements as X33 suggestion above with evening and Sunday extension to North Seaton Demesne. PVR of 5 Arriva (MAX) spec E400s operating every 30 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.
- X21 / X22 / 35 with a combined PVR of 7 during evenings and Sundays.
(25 Jul 2015, 6:52 pm)GX03 SVC So the X22 will go MAX??? What's the logic in that???
(25 Jul 2015, 6:52 pm)GX03 SVC So the X22 will go MAX??? What's the logic in that???
(25 Jul 2015, 7:04 pm)DaveyBowyer The logic is that the X21 becomes the main service between Newbiggin, Ashington, Stakeford, Bedlington Station, Bedlington Front Street and Newcastle running every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime with Sapphire spec buses running the most direct route with the only differences being the faster route between Bedlington and Newcastle and the Monday to Saturday daytime stopping arrangements between Seaton Burn Services and Newcastle. The X22 then becomes Ashington's own version of a 'slow Toon Link' on the Ashington to Newcastle corridor running every 30 minutes via the slower route through Guide Post and Nedderton.
(25 Jul 2015, 7:04 pm)DaveyBowyer The logic is that the X21 becomes the main service between Newbiggin, Ashington, Stakeford, Bedlington Station, Bedlington Front Street and Newcastle running every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime with Sapphire spec buses running the most direct route with the only differences being the faster route between Bedlington and Newcastle and the Monday to Saturday daytime stopping arrangements between Seaton Burn Services and Newcastle. The X22 then becomes Ashington's own version of a 'slow Toon Link' on the Ashington to Newcastle corridor running every 30 minutes via the slower route through Guide Post and Nedderton.
(26 Jul 2015, 8:28 am)GX03 SVC So the X22, the route that passengers expect NSAs and lovely Sapphire drivers will actually be run by old crap buses badly refurbished to "MAX+" wearing the corporate livery. Have you seen the new corporate livery, by any chance?
(26 Jul 2015, 8:28 am)GX03 SVC So the X22, the route that passengers expect NSAs and lovely Sapphire drivers will actually be run by old crap buses badly refurbished to "MAX+" wearing the corporate livery. Have you seen the new corporate livery, by any chance?
(26 Jul 2015, 8:28 am)GX03 SVC So the X22, the route that passengers expect NSAs and lovely Sapphire drivers will actually be run by old crap buses badly refurbished to "MAX+" wearing the corporate livery. Have you seen the new corporate livery, by any chance?
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(26 Jul 2015, 8:28 am)GX03 SVC So the X22, the route that passengers expect NSAs and lovely Sapphire drivers will actually be run by old crap buses badly refurbished to "MAX+" wearing the corporate livery. Have you seen the new corporate livery, by any chance?
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Service Manager, Coatham Connect
(26 Jul 2015, 8:36 am)tyresmoke That's a livery that Midlands are using for two routes that serve the MIRA site... Not a new corporate scheme!
2 of Tamworths Scanias and Hinckley's 4 new E200s have been painted for it
(26 Jul 2015, 8:36 am)tyresmoke That's a livery that Midlands are using for two routes that serve the MIRA site... Not a new corporate scheme!
2 of Tamworths Scanias and Hinckley's 4 new E200s have been painted for it
Right then, how about this:
SAPPHIRE Service X21:
- Revised to operate every 15 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.
- Will also be revised to operate via Hartford Road rather than Nedderton Lane.
- All Monday to Saturday daytime journeys omit Brunton Lane and Polwarth Drive.
- Will operate with a team of dedicated Sapphire drivers Monday to Saturday daytime with 11x ADL E400MMCs with plug sockets, free Wi-Fi, Buggy Bays, NSA's and similar high back coach seating like what Stagecoach Gold services use.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
- 5 x 14 plate E400s alongside 7518 as a spare could then go to Darlington and Belmont to make the 7 fully double deck if passenger growth continues. 1x 14 plate will remain at Ashington as a 'dedicated' spare for the X21 and if needed, the other one can float between the three depots (long term PVR shortgaes, severe roadworks etc).
- The 57 plate E400s could then be refurbished to MAX spec (with no NSA's, just simple headrest re-trim) and allocated to service 35 with whatevers left being used as spare.
- The 3x Streetlites currently on the 35 will be refurbished to MAX spec (free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, leather Civic V3 seating) to be joined alongside further 4x new ones for MAX Service X22.
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
MAX Service X22:
- Will operate every 20 minutes Monday to Saturday daytime and every 60 minutes evenings and Sundays.
- Will operate current X22 route to Glebe Road then instead of serving Bedlington Front Street, will serve the stop on Glebe Road before the Red Lion Roundabout then after there, the current X21 route to Newcastle via Nedderton.
- Evening and Sunday journeys also extend to North Seaton Demesne.
- Will operate with 7x MAX Spec Streetlites (3x refurbished, 4x new) with free Wi-Fi, USB charging points, leather Civic V3 seating.
During evenings and Sundays, the combined PVR for services X21, X22 and Service 35 would be 6 vehicles using 6x E400MMCs.
Information will be included in X22 timetable clearly stating that if you want a faster journey from Ashington, Stakeford or Bedlington to Newcastle to use SAPPHIRE service X21. Services X21 and X22 during evenings and Sundays would combine to give a bus approximately every 30 minutes from Ashington, Bedlington (either Red Lion or Glebe Road) and between A1068 and Newcastle.
For stand arrangements at Haymarket, Services X20, X21 and 51 would use stand P. Service X22 would use stand N during Monday to Saturday daytime and Stand P during evenings and Sundays.
Now we're getting new ADL Enviro400MMCs?????!!!!
My suggestion was: 9 new buses, rebrand to X41/42 and Sapphire Express, release 7501-9 to 35 route and upgraded frequency with StreetLite refurbishment optional (or StreetLites released to other depots)...
They didn't buy 8 new buses for another route?
(26 Jul 2015, 9:43 am)GX03 SVC Now we're getting new ADL Enviro400MMCs?????!!!!
My suggestion was: 9 new buses, rebrand to X41/42 and Sapphire Express, release 7501-9 to 35 route and upgraded frequency with StreetLite refurbishment optional (or StreetLites released to other depots)...
They didn't buy 8 new buses for another route?
(26 Jul 2015, 9:43 am)GX03 SVC Now we're getting new ADL Enviro400MMCs?????!!!!
My suggestion was: 9 new buses, rebrand to X41/42 and Sapphire Express, release 7501-9 to 35 route and upgraded frequency with StreetLite refurbishment optional (or StreetLites released to other depots)...
They didn't buy 8 new buses for another route?