(18 Feb 2020, 5:03 pm)Dan Photo: https://flic.kr/p/2iuQQDr
Suggests "on loan" rather than it being a permanent transfer?
(18 Feb 2020, 5:03 pm)Dan Photo: https://flic.kr/p/2iuQQDr
Suggests "on loan" rather than it being a permanent transfer?
(19 Feb 2020, 9:41 am)Storx Personally I'd say Killingworth is less than the whole of North Tyneside though plus they'd be able to simplify the 52 / 54 into other bus routes which they run anyway. I'm not sure the locals would mind as their much cheaper than both GNE and Arriva anyway.
Weirdly I think Stagecoach would be a better fit for Ashington as they have more experience in long distance bus routes and might actually run the Berwick buses with appropiate buses (coaches like in their Scottish work) rather than Enviro's which aren't really fit for the distance of the journeys. The routes ideally would be better to be like Citylink in Scotland which they have a 35% share of the ownership with a possibly a extension to Edinburgh creating a new link between the two cities and the towns inbetween. Whereas GNE excluding the X9 / X10 don't really have any long distance routes which are mostly non-stop.
(19 Feb 2020, 9:41 am)Storx Personally I'd say Killingworth is less than the whole of North Tyneside though plus they'd be able to simplify the 52 / 54 into other bus routes which they run anyway. I'm not sure the locals would mind as their much cheaper than both GNE and Arriva anyway.
Weirdly I think Stagecoach would be a better fit for Ashington as they have more experience in long distance bus routes and might actually run the Berwick buses with appropiate buses (coaches like in their Scottish work) rather than Enviro's which aren't really fit for the distance of the journeys. The routes ideally would be better to be like Citylink in Scotland which they have a 35% share of the ownership with a possibly a extension to Edinburgh creating a new link between the two cities and the towns inbetween. Whereas GNE excluding the X9 / X10 don't really have any long distance routes which are mostly non-stop.
How about instead of giving either stagecoach or GNE a virtual monopoly ( IF ARRIVA WAS SOLD) how about a new company entering the fray?? Lothain venturing into England? National express? Transdev. Im sure on of these taking over services and maybe investing in new route would make it better for the passengers of the north east.
Hopefully, with the anticipated PVR reduction, Arriva Dormanstown can manage without its return.
YJ58FHL must be on loan to Blyth now. I've seen it near Corner House going to Blyth.
(19 Feb 2020, 12:43 pm)neilwatson YJ58FHL must be on loan to Blyth now. I've seen it near Corner House going to Blyth.This is the exact problem with Arriva, they're running on a shoestring. Yes the E400 may be 'Max' standard but these and the other bits of tat are keep popping up on Blyth's 'goldmine' services.
(19 Feb 2020, 12:43 pm)neilwatson YJ58FHL must be on loan to Blyth now. I've seen it near Corner House going to Blyth.This is the exact problem with Arriva, they're running on a shoestring. Yes the E400 may be 'Max' standard but these and the other bits of tat are keep popping up on Blyth's 'goldmine' services.
(19 Feb 2020, 2:41 pm)L469 YVK This is the exact problem with Arriva, they're running on a shoestring. Yes the E400 may be 'Max' standard but these and the other bits of tat are keep popping up on Blyth's 'goldmine' services.
The 308 should've received new vehicles by now considering it's been nearly 7 year since new vehicles were purchased!
Not saying GNE are perfect but they have at least invested over the last few years. Arriva seriously need to step up their game otherwise they'll lose passengers big time. It's a good job GNE's Citaros aren't able to be upgraded to Euro 6 as the way Arriva are now, GNE (and Stagecoach) could quite comfortably walk into Arriva territory and Arriva wouldn't bat an eyelid.
(19 Feb 2020, 2:41 pm)L469 YVK This is the exact problem with Arriva, they're running on a shoestring. Yes the E400 may be 'Max' standard but these and the other bits of tat are keep popping up on Blyth's 'goldmine' services.
The 308 should've received new vehicles by now considering it's been nearly 7 year since new vehicles were purchased!
Not saying GNE are perfect but they have at least invested over the last few years. Arriva seriously need to step up their game otherwise they'll lose passengers big time. It's a good job GNE's Citaros aren't able to be upgraded to Euro 6 as the way Arriva are now, GNE (and Stagecoach) could quite comfortably walk into Arriva territory and Arriva wouldn't bat an eyelid.
(19 Feb 2020, 2:41 pm)L469 YVK This is the exact problem with Arriva, they're running on a shoestring. Yes the E400 may be 'Max' standard but these and the other bits of tat are keep popping up on Blyth's 'goldmine' services.
The 308 should've received new vehicles by now considering it's been nearly 7 year since new vehicles were purchased!
Not saying GNE are perfect but they have at least invested over the last few years. Arriva seriously need to step up their game otherwise they'll lose passengers big time. It's a good job GNE's Citaros aren't able to be upgraded to Euro 6 as the way Arriva are now, GNE (and Stagecoach) could quite comfortably walk into Arriva territory and Arriva wouldn't bat an eyelid.
(19 Feb 2020, 2:41 pm)L469 YVK This is the exact problem with Arriva, they're running on a shoestring. Yes the E400 may be 'Max' standard but these and the other bits of tat are keep popping up on Blyth's 'goldmine' services.
The 308 should've received new vehicles by now considering it's been nearly 7 year since new vehicles were purchased!
Not saying GNE are perfect but they have at least invested over the last few years. Arriva seriously need to step up their game otherwise they'll lose passengers big time. It's a good job GNE's Citaros aren't able to be upgraded to Euro 6 as the way Arriva are now, GNE (and Stagecoach) could quite comfortably walk into Arriva territory and Arriva wouldn't bat an eyelid.
(19 Feb 2020, 7:52 pm)mb134 I'd echo what Storx has said below. While Arriva are by no means a shining light of a bus operator, out of all of the Northumbrian express routes the only buses that frequently appear and are in need of replacement soon are 1401-3, 4653/9/64 and 7485/7. The vast majority are between 5 and 11 years old with decent interior spec, so while replacement will likely start soon it's by no means essential.
Majority of the vehicles being used were bought in the last major round of investment and, barring the remaining ex-London deckers, the vast majority can be converted to Euro 6 spec.
(19 Feb 2020, 7:52 pm)mb134 I'd echo what Storx has said below. While Arriva are by no means a shining light of a bus operator, out of all of the Northumbrian express routes the only buses that frequently appear and are in need of replacement soon are 1401-3, 4653/9/64 and 7485/7. The vast majority are between 5 and 11 years old with decent interior spec, so while replacement will likely start soon it's by no means essential.
Majority of the vehicles being used were bought in the last major round of investment and, barring the remaining ex-London deckers, the vast majority can be converted to Euro 6 spec.
(19 Feb 2020, 8:13 pm)S830OFT It would be nice if 7424 - 7426 could be reallocated to Belmont for the summer, allowing the 2008 ADL E400s to see use on the X93.
(19 Feb 2020, 8:13 pm)S830OFT It would be nice if 7424 - 7426 could be reallocated to Belmont for the summer, allowing the 2008 ADL E400s to see use on the X93.
(19 Feb 2020, 8:31 pm)S830OFT They could always trial 7552 on the X93 and then maybe send 4x E400MMCs from Ashington.
(19 Feb 2020, 8:31 pm)S830OFT They could always trial 7552 on the X93 and then maybe send 4x E400MMCs from Ashington.
Does the yearly revenue/operating costs warrant the purchase of the new vehicles mentioned? It would be good (and logical) but given that we seem to live in a return against investment situation, I somehow think not. Of course that theory seems to go to the wall when we look at the Transdev Coasliner operation which regularly receives brand new vehicles and I would suspect it has the same earning capacity as the X93, busy in the summer months but fairly quiet/steady the rest of the time.
(19 Feb 2020, 9:29 pm)scanialover Does the yearly revenue/operating costs warrant the purchase of the new vehicles mentioned? It would be good (and logical) but given that we seem to live in a return against investment situation, I somehow think not. Of course that theory seems to go to the wall when we look at the Transdev Coasliner operation which regularly receives brand new vehicles and I would suspect it has the same earning capacity as the X93, busy in the summer months but fairly quiet/steady the rest of the time.
(19 Feb 2020, 9:29 pm)scanialover Does the yearly revenue/operating costs warrant the purchase of the new vehicles mentioned? It would be good (and logical) but given that we seem to live in a return against investment situation, I somehow think not. Of course that theory seems to go to the wall when we look at the Transdev Coasliner operation which regularly receives brand new vehicles and I would suspect it has the same earning capacity as the X93, busy in the summer months but fairly quiet/steady the rest of the time.
I'd say as a starting point if Arriva get a big investment in the near future, this is what they should do as a starting point:
- 17x ADL E400MMC (ZF) for X21 / X22 (incl 2x spare)
* 7541-50 go to Blyth for 308 with 7551/52 as spares for 308/X10/X11
- 14x ADL E400MMC (ZF) for X10 / X11 (incl 1x spare)
- 6x Scania E400MMC (ZF) for X18
- 5x Scania E400MMC (ZF) for X15
- 6x Scania E400MMC (ZF) for X93
(19 Feb 2020, 9:29 pm)scanialover Does the yearly revenue/operating costs warrant the purchase of the new vehicles mentioned? It would be good (and logical) but given that we seem to live in a return against investment situation, I somehow think not. Of course that theory seems to go to the wall when we look at the Transdev Coasliner operation which regularly receives brand new vehicles and I would suspect it has the same earning capacity as the X93, busy in the summer months but fairly quiet/steady the rest of the time.
(20 Feb 2020, 12:09 am)L469 YVK I'd say as a starting point if Arriva get a big investment in the near future, this is what they should do as a starting point:
- 17x ADL E400MMC (ZF) for X21 / X22 (incl 2x spare)
* 7541-50 go to Blyth for 308 with 7551/52 as spares for 308/X10/X11
- 14x ADL E400MMC (ZF) for X10 / X11 (incl 1x spare)
- 6x Scania E400MMC (ZF) for X18
- 5x Scania E400MMC (ZF) for X15
- 6x Scania E400MMC (ZF) for X93
(19 Feb 2020, 9:29 pm)scanialover Does the yearly revenue/operating costs warrant the purchase of the new vehicles mentioned? It would be good (and logical) but given that we seem to live in a return against investment situation, I somehow think not. Of course that theory seems to go to the wall when we look at the Transdev Coasliner operation which regularly receives brand new vehicles and I would suspect it has the same earning capacity as the X93, busy in the summer months but fairly quiet/steady the rest of the time.
(20 Feb 2020, 12:09 am)L469 YVK I'd say as a starting point if Arriva get a big investment in the near future, this is what they should do as a starting point:
- 17x ADL E400MMC (ZF) for X21 / X22 (incl 2x spare)
* 7541-50 go to Blyth for 308 with 7551/52 as spares for 308/X10/X11
- 14x ADL E400MMC (ZF) for X10 / X11 (incl 1x spare)
- 6x Scania E400MMC (ZF) for X18
- 5x Scania E400MMC (ZF) for X15
- 6x Scania E400MMC (ZF) for X93
(19 Feb 2020, 9:41 am)Storx Personally I'd say Killingworth is less than the whole of North Tyneside though plus they'd be able to simplify the 52 / 54 into other bus routes which they run anyway. I'm not sure the locals would mind as their much cheaper than both GNE and Arriva anyway.In regards to the mention of coaches Ashington used to run some primas on the expresses and they were fine even with their age (V reg) however due to DDA regulations being put into place they had to be stood down and moved over to the training. fleet primas also Done the 685 before being moved to Ashington but even though they had years left in them arriva had to consider the costumers & laws and replace them with the max upgrade but I do think coaches should be brought back.
Weirdly I think Stagecoach would be a better fit for Ashington as they have more experience in long distance bus routes and might actually run the Berwick buses with appropiate buses (coaches like in their Scottish work) rather than Enviro's which aren't really fit for the distance of the journeys. The routes ideally would be better to be like Citylink in Scotland which they have a 35% share of the ownership with a possibly a extension to Edinburgh creating a new link between the two cities and the towns inbetween. Whereas GNE excluding the X9 / X10 don't really have any long distance routes which are mostly non-stop.
(19 Feb 2020, 9:41 am)Storx Personally I'd say Killingworth is less than the whole of North Tyneside though plus they'd be able to simplify the 52 / 54 into other bus routes which they run anyway. I'm not sure the locals would mind as their much cheaper than both GNE and Arriva anyway.In regards to the mention of coaches Ashington used to run some primas on the expresses and they were fine even with their age (V reg) however due to DDA regulations being put into place they had to be stood down and moved over to the training. fleet primas also Done the 685 before being moved to Ashington but even though they had years left in them arriva had to consider the costumers & laws and replace them with the max upgrade but I do think coaches should be brought back.
Weirdly I think Stagecoach would be a better fit for Ashington as they have more experience in long distance bus routes and might actually run the Berwick buses with appropiate buses (coaches like in their Scottish work) rather than Enviro's which aren't really fit for the distance of the journeys. The routes ideally would be better to be like Citylink in Scotland which they have a 35% share of the ownership with a possibly a extension to Edinburgh creating a new link between the two cities and the towns inbetween. Whereas GNE excluding the X9 / X10 don't really have any long distance routes which are mostly non-stop.
It's difficult to envisage coaches ever making a return to service work given the DDA regulations and then the impact this could have on timings; it takes time now with conventional low floor vehicles.
