Information on the changes is now available: They can be viewed here

I think these changes are going to be good, Arriva messed up when they introduced the x6 it wad no competition compared to the x63 but hopefully these services will be better fir Arriva which i think they will!

Rather amused by the routing of the 306 via Marden Estate, and it being billed as a 'quicker route to town' for residents in that area.

Quicker than current x6, yes. But at almost an hour, running inter peak only, and via North Shields, it will never be described as a direct route as the 44 was considered...

Fancy FREE bus travel to Darlington this Saturday 3rd August 2013 for Darlington by the Sea? There’s so much going on including a treasure hunt with free gifts for every child.

Read more: http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/darlington-by-the-sea-2013/

Blind and partially sighted passengers swap places with bus drivers
A group of blind and partially sighted people swapped places with bus drivers in Newcastle to demonstrate the barriers they face when travelling on buses.

Read more: http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/RNIB-2013.aspx

Really scary some of those glasses, done my disability training a few years back and wearing the totally blind glasses was horrible. Makes you realise what blind & partially sighted passengers require from us drivers.

(02 Aug 2013, 9:19 pm)nk55 wrote Really scary some of those glasses, done my disability training a few years back and wearing the totally blind glasses was horrible. Makes you realise what blind & partially sighted passengers require from us drivers.

As scary as it may be for drivers, I'm glad it's done and I'm glad members of the public have been made aware of it via Arriva's website. I hadn't even thought about disability training prior to the above news article being issued on Arriva's website - it was a massive wake up call for me who would usually just (rather ignorantly) turn a blind eye to a disabled passenger getting on the bus.
Does it come in the standard training procedure for new drivers to companies?

Yes we had to lead a blind person around the depot when I was in training at Arriva... then swap over to be the blindfolded person! Scary stuff just in the confines of the training rooms!

A rare working today saw Redcar's Temsa 4701 working for Whitby on service 5 at 1815 out of Middlesbrough.

7601 has been debranded from Quorum livery

does anyone know when the cadets will be quorum branded

Though intended for Blyth to cover for vehicles away for Metro Replacement work, ex-Stockton reserve Prestige 4054 has entered service at Jesmond. She was out in service today.

EDIT: "Cleveland Connection" branding is still retained, and a photo of her can be viewed by clicking here.

Bit slow, Liam... Bit slow

Stockton's 4006 is on the X1/X2 today, leaving Middlesbrough at 1105.

Cadet 1906 is on the 21a today, working the 1045 from Middlesbrough.

Whatever happened to these????

http://www.flickr.com/photos/58727891@N0...DVt-awmo8U

are they still at Thorntons or have they moved on????

PB0002032/464 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: North Sheilds Town Centre
Finish Point: North Sheilds Ferry Landing
Via:
Service Number: 19A
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 15-SEP-2013
Other Details: Runs every 10 mons on Sun 15th only

10 Mons??? Come on VOSA u can do better than that XD

1402 on X5s. Just arrived at Four Lane Ends a little late indeed if anyone wants to time her for a photograph.

(07 Aug 2013, 3:04 pm)Michael wrote Starting Point: North Sheilds Town Centre
Finish Point: North Sheilds Ferry Landing

No comment.

(07 Aug 2013, 3:09 pm)Daniel wrote 1402 on X5s. Just arrived at Four Lane Ends a little late indeed if anyone wants to time her for a photograph.

We must be following each other, but missing other again as I was up Four Lane Ends at about 1ish.

(07 Aug 2013, 3:13 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote

(07 Aug 2013, 3:09 pm)Daniel wrote 1402 on X5s. Just arrived at Four Lane Ends a little late indeed if anyone wants to time her for a photograph.

We must be following each other, but missing other again as I was up Four Lane Ends at about 1ish.

I wasn't there for photos. Going back to Newcastle from somewhere else. :p

(07 Aug 2013, 3:04 pm)Michael wrote PB0002032/464 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Registration Accepted by SN
Starting Point: North Sheilds Town Centre
Finish Point: North Sheilds Ferry Landing
Via:
Service Number: 19A
Service Type: Normal Stopping
Effective Date: 15-SEP-2013
Other Details: Runs every 10 mons on Sun 15th only

10 Mons??? Come on VOSA u can do better than that XD

Whats going on on the 15th September?

Is it the Great North Run?

'SightSeeker' E400 7503 is working for Redcar today on the 64, was 1030 from Middlesbrough.

(07 Aug 2013, 5:11 pm)Andreos1 wrote Is it the Great North Run?

Indeed it is the Great North Run.

B10BLE 4515 has been working the full X18s today. As far as I am aware, it should have a tacho, but not sure it has one?

(08 Aug 2013, 7:04 pm)W179SCU wrote B10BLE 4515 has been working the full X18s today. As far as I am aware, it should have a tacho, but not sure it has one?

4515 is indeed tacho-fitted, as are 4501/13 at Ashington and 4522 at Jesmond.

PB0002717/317 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted: Operating between Stockton High Street and Yarm Willey Flatts given service number 7/7A effective from 15-Sep-2013. To amend Timetable.

Prestige 4068 is on 6s today. Left Bishop Auckland going towards Durham about 10 minutes ago.

Not sure if it's rare or not, but the allocation for the 6 every time I've been to Bishop lately is Pulsar.

(10 Aug 2013, 9:57 am)Daniel wrote Prestige 4068 is on 6s today. Left Bishop Auckland going towards Durham about 10 minutes ago.

Not sure if it's rare or not, but the allocation for the 6 every time I've been to Bishop lately is Pulsar.

Normal, the 6 seems to be Durham's 'anything we've got' route with Prestiges, Tridents, DAF ALX400s and Lowlander as well as Pulsars.

Bus firm finally pulls out the stops:

A transport company is finally coming good with its promise to reinstate part of a bus route.



Arriva North East had caused confusion after informing Durham County Council it would be returning Helford Road and Southway, in Peterlee, to the 22 Durham-Hartlepool bus route after it was cut in March.

Durham County Councillor for Peterlee’s Passfield ward, Joan Maslin had in turn told residents the news, much to the delight of elderly people, who faced having to walk all the way to Our Lady of the Rosary Church to catch the bus.

But Arriva said this was not the case, as timings of the new route were vital to the reliability of the service.

But now Coun Maslin, a Durham Independent Group representative, said Arriva’s area managing director Nick Knox has emailed her direct to confirm the stops will be restored.

In an email to her, Mr Knox admitted there is “further work to complete on the schedule”, but said it is Arriva’s intention to re-start the service on October 27.

Coun Maslin said: “I’m really pleased and the residents are thrilled to pieces.

“We didn’t think we were getting the service back.

“If the service is back before the winter then that’s really good.”

Mr Knox said: “Following extensive monitoring and timing trials we are pleased that we have been able to find a workable solution. We always take on board passenger feedback and wherever we can we try to accommodate residents’ needs.

“We are delighted that we’ve been able to resolve this and hope customers make the most of the service.”

http://www.peterleestar.co.uk/community/...-1-5944724

Its about time that Arriva service 22 will be going along my street again.