Short answer probably not. More practical answer, why not try and keep some of the fleet we have on the road! We read quite regularly through these pages of the problems being faced by the depots which, to me, seems indicative that not enough is been spent in terms of parts and maintainance.
On the theme of new vehicles, replacement of the Scania's, 46xx must be overdue/imminent? These have seen sterling and demanding service across the network; 63's out of Dormanstown, then on the X93's before ending up where they are now,; the X66/67 services could, for sure, use something better.
I would have thought something must be due to be purchased this year, most likely for Northumbria depots considering everything will have to be Euro 6 in Newcastle next year.
After it was mentioned the other day that GNE can't upgrade their Euro 5 StreetLite Micro-Hybrids without replacing the engine's, surely it will be the same issue with 1574-1589? Would imagine those could all end up somewhere within Durham County with either new stock or Pulsar's taking their place.
And then we, down here on Teesside end up with the cast offs as the fleets are re-arranged. Yes we have to accommodate whatever is happening with Euro 6 but why should we suffer?
(07 Mar 2020, 7:07 pm)scanialover And then we, down here on Teesside end up with the cast offs as the fleets are re-arranged. Yes we have to accommodate whatever is happening with Euro 6 but why should we suffer?
(07 Mar 2020, 7:07 pm)scanialover And then we, down here on Teesside end up with the cast offs as the fleets are re-arranged. Yes we have to accommodate whatever is happening with Euro 6 but why should we suffer?
(07 Mar 2020, 7:07 pm)scanialover And then we, down here on Teesside end up with the cast offs as the fleets are re-arranged. Yes we have to accommodate whatever is happening with Euro 6 but why should we suffer?
(07 Mar 2020, 7:07 pm)scanialover And then we, down here on Teesside end up with the cast offs as the fleets are re-arranged. Yes we have to accommodate whatever is happening with Euro 6 but why should we suffer?
What I'd really like to see, in order to keep our serviceable vehicles - and yes there are plenty of them - is the various depots being given budgets, resources and the luxury of time, to keep them so and try and minimise the issues we read about on here. Yes it's difficult in this day and age but surely doesn't what I say make sense?
(07 Mar 2020, 7:33 pm)scanialover What I'd really like to see, in order to keep our serviceable vehicles - and yes there are plenty of them - is the various depots being given budgets, resources and the luxury of time, to keep them so and try and minimise the issues we read about on here. Yes it's difficult in this day and age but surely doesn't what I say make sense?
(07 Mar 2020, 7:33 pm)scanialover What I'd really like to see, in order to keep our serviceable vehicles - and yes there are plenty of them - is the various depots being given budgets, resources and the luxury of time, to keep them so and try and minimise the issues we read about on here. Yes it's difficult in this day and age but surely doesn't what I say make sense?
(07 Mar 2020, 8:07 pm)scanialover Where do I find this information?
(07 Mar 2020, 8:07 pm)scanialover Where do I find this information?
(07 Mar 2020, 6:40 pm)scanialover Short answer probably not. More practical answer, why not try and keep some of the fleet we have on the road! We read quite regularly throuugh these pages of the problems being faced by the depots which, to me, seems indicative that not enough is been spent in terms of parts and maintainance.
On the theme of new vehicles, replacement of the Scania's, 46xx must be overdue/imminent? These have seen sterling and demanding service across the network; 63's out of Dormanstown, then on the X93's before ending up where they are now,; the X66/67 services could, for sure, use something better.
Some deckers and minis coming I believe, but the Omnicities won't be going. As someone said, plenty of life left in them.
(07 Mar 2020, 6:40 pm)scanialover Short answer probably not. More practical answer, why not try and keep some of the fleet we have on the road! We read quite regularly throuugh these pages of the problems being faced by the depots which, to me, seems indicative that not enough is been spent in terms of parts and maintainance.
On the theme of new vehicles, replacement of the Scania's, 46xx must be overdue/imminent? These have seen sterling and demanding service across the network; 63's out of Dormanstown, then on the X93's before ending up where they are now,; the X66/67 services could, for sure, use something better.
Plenty of life left in them ? I'd like to think so as they are probably, next to getting a fit Pulsar, my favourite vehicle. Ours though have, and are getting a hard life. What about giving them a thorough makeover? Internally with new seating, externally - back into standard Arriva and then a thorough mechanical check.
(07 Mar 2020, 7:53 pm)mb134 Looking at bustimes, these are the vehicles currently 'long term' VOR throughout the Durham County operation. For the sake of this I've classed long term as 5+ days, though there may be non-mechanical reasons for spells off the road for that period of time.
1416
1447
1463
1560
1563
1571
1592
1607
1612
2823
2830
2862
4650
4705
7421
7423
7425
7426
7456
19 buses out of a fleet of nearly 300 vehicles. That's 6% of vehicles - from memory I believe companies generally have a spare percentage of around 10%.
Of note is that, out of those VOR, you have 6 Streetlites and only 1 Scania.
Aware that this is a fairly crude and simplistic way of looking at it, but on the face of it there doesn't seem to be a problem with vehicle availability.
(07 Mar 2020, 6:49 pm)Jimmi I would have thought something must be due to be purchased this year, most likely for Northumbria depots considering everything will have to be Euro 6 in Newcastle next year.
After it was mentioned the other day that GNE can't upgrade their Euro 5 StreetLite Micro-Hybrids without replacing the engine's, surely it will be the same issue with 1574-1589? Would imagine those could all end up somewhere within Durham County with either new stock or Pulsar's taking their place.
(07 Mar 2020, 7:53 pm)mb134 Looking at bustimes, these are the vehicles currently 'long term' VOR throughout the Durham County operation. For the sake of this I've classed long term as 5+ days, though there may be non-mechanical reasons for spells off the road for that period of time.
1416
1447
1463
1560
1563
1571
1592
1607
1612
2823
2830
2862
4650
4705
7421
7423
7425
7426
7456
19 buses out of a fleet of nearly 300 vehicles. That's 6% of vehicles - from memory I believe companies generally have a spare percentage of around 10%.
Of note is that, out of those VOR, you have 6 Streetlites and only 1 Scania.
Aware that this is a fairly crude and simplistic way of looking at it, but on the face of it there doesn't seem to be a problem with vehicle availability.
(07 Mar 2020, 6:49 pm)Jimmi I would have thought something must be due to be purchased this year, most likely for Northumbria depots considering everything will have to be Euro 6 in Newcastle next year.
After it was mentioned the other day that GNE can't upgrade their Euro 5 StreetLite Micro-Hybrids without replacing the engine's, surely it will be the same issue with 1574-1589? Would imagine those could all end up somewhere within Durham County with either new stock or Pulsar's taking their place.
(07 Mar 2020, 8:29 pm)RobinHood Depots at any one time have 2 vehicles off for annual MOT prep and presentation. They are normally off for a full week, so that list will include up to 14 vehicles that aren't long term VOR.
(07 Mar 2020, 8:29 pm)RobinHood Depots at any one time have 2 vehicles off for annual MOT prep and presentation. They are normally off for a full week, so that list will include up to 14 vehicles that aren't long term VOR.
(07 Mar 2020, 6:49 pm)Jimmi I would have thought something must be due to be purchased this year, most likely for Northumbria depots considering everything will have to be Euro 6 in Newcastle next year.I'd imagine if the new vehicles go to Northumbria, they'll most likely do the following as a starting point:
After it was mentioned the other day that GNE can't upgrade their Euro 5 StreetLite Micro-Hybrids without replacing the engine's, surely it will be the same issue with 1574-1589? Would imagine those could all end up somewhere within Durham County with either new stock or Pulsar's taking their place.
(07 Mar 2020, 6:49 pm)Jimmi I would have thought something must be due to be purchased this year, most likely for Northumbria depots considering everything will have to be Euro 6 in Newcastle next year.I'd imagine if the new vehicles go to Northumbria, they'll most likely do the following as a starting point:
After it was mentioned the other day that GNE can't upgrade their Euro 5 StreetLite Micro-Hybrids without replacing the engine's, surely it will be the same issue with 1574-1589? Would imagine those could all end up somewhere within Durham County with either new stock or Pulsar's taking their place.
(07 Mar 2020, 8:38 pm)L469 YVK I'd imagine if the new vehicles go to Northumbria, they'll most likely do the following as a starting point:
- 12x E400MMC (ZF) for X21 / X22 (or maybe do a full batch of 16x incl 1x spare if a suitable use can be found for the classic Sapphire E400s).
- 7541-51 to Blyth for the 308 (incl 1x spare).
- 7552 stays at Ashington as the 2nd X21 / X22 spare.
Would make sense as the E400 is more suited to a ZF gearbox if used on the X21 / X22 whereas Voith gearboxes are better suited on the likes of the 308. Plus, Blyth already operate the Cummins ISB / Voith combination in the VDL Geminis so would also provide some form of commonality.
(07 Mar 2020, 8:38 pm)L469 YVK I'd imagine if the new vehicles go to Northumbria, they'll most likely do the following as a starting point:
- 12x E400MMC (ZF) for X21 / X22 (or maybe do a full batch of 16x incl 1x spare if a suitable use can be found for the classic Sapphire E400s).
- 7541-51 to Blyth for the 308 (incl 1x spare).
- 7552 stays at Ashington as the 2nd X21 / X22 spare.
Would make sense as the E400 is more suited to a ZF gearbox if used on the X21 / X22 whereas Voith gearboxes are better suited on the likes of the 308. Plus, Blyth already operate the Cummins ISB / Voith combination in the VDL Geminis so would also provide some form of commonality.
Surely any new buses will more than likely be:
Minibuses for the 46, 51 and 55, highly doubt they'll upgrade 12 year old solos (if you even can).
Deckers for the 306 maybe or the Morpeth expresses but if the Micro Streelites rumour is true Jesmond need something to replace them on the 52 and 54 and I can't imagine it being a downgrade. You also have the 3 Commanders at Blyth, Scanias at Ashington and Jesmond and B7TL's which I highly doubt will be upgraded so imagine they'll be focused on them.
No way will the X21/X22 get new buses again. The X7, X8, X9, X10, X11, 306, 308, X14, X15, X16 and X18 are all as equal importance if not more (X10, X11, 308) than them and will get new buses before them. It's stupid sending a few buses to Blyth to replace a few VDL's which will have no-where to go thereselves. I can imagine most of Blyth being renewed at the same time which won't be this year. The best thing they could do at Blyth is have an open fleet with branding for everything or nothing since nothing stays on the same route anyway (which is a good thing). Rather than X7 buses on the X10, X10 buses on the 308 and 308 buses on the X10 which happens daily.
(07 Mar 2020, 8:44 pm)mb134 If new vehicles are on the table, I don't imagine they'll be replacing the Euro6 compliant MMCs (or the upgradeable 7524-8) on the X21/22.I still don't get why the X21/X22 is seen as such a favourable route for investment on here considering there's other routes in the North East that are equally or even more deserving of new stock than that is.
11-12 year old E400s on the Morpeth express routes is likely a more pressing concern. They've got a decent amount of life left in them, however it'll be a much happier life for everyone involved if that's on the Jesmond routes replacing the ageing B7TLs.
(07 Mar 2020, 8:44 pm)mb134 If new vehicles are on the table, I don't imagine they'll be replacing the Euro6 compliant MMCs (or the upgradeable 7524-8) on the X21/22.I still don't get why the X21/X22 is seen as such a favourable route for investment on here considering there's other routes in the North East that are equally or even more deserving of new stock than that is.
11-12 year old E400s on the Morpeth express routes is likely a more pressing concern. They've got a decent amount of life left in them, however it'll be a much happier life for everyone involved if that's on the Jesmond routes replacing the ageing B7TLs.
(07 Mar 2020, 9:00 pm)Storx Surely any new buses will more than likely be:But if the 308 was to be in line for new vehicles (presuming VDL Geminis can be upgraded to Euro 6 and moved on to other routes - pretty certain they can), then surely it would make sense to order new ZF E400MMCs for the X21 / X22 now that stop / start is an option with ZF as seen with GNE's X-Lines orders.
Minibuses for the 46, 51 and 55, highly doubt they'll upgrade 12 year old solos (if you even can).
Deckers for the 306 maybe or the Morpeth expresses but if the Micro Streelites rumour is true Jesmond need something to replace them on the 52 and 54 and I can't imagine it being a downgrade. You also have the 3 Commanders at Blyth, Scanias at Ashington and Jesmond and B7TL's which I highly doubt will be upgraded so imagine they'll be focused on them.
No way will the X21/X22 get new buses again. The X7, X8, X9, X10, X11, 306, 308, X14, X15, X16 and X18 are all as equal importance if not more (X10, X11, 308) than them and will get new buses before them. It's stupid sending a few buses to Blyth to replace a few VDL's which will have no-where to go thereselves. I can imagine most of Blyth being renewed at the same time which won't be this year. The best thing they could do at Blyth is have an open fleet with branding for everything or nothing since nothing stays on the same route anyway (which is a good thing). Rather than X7 buses on the X10, X10 buses on the 308 and 308 buses on the X10 which happens daily.
(07 Mar 2020, 9:00 pm)Storx Surely any new buses will more than likely be:But if the 308 was to be in line for new vehicles (presuming VDL Geminis can be upgraded to Euro 6 and moved on to other routes - pretty certain they can), then surely it would make sense to order new ZF E400MMCs for the X21 / X22 now that stop / start is an option with ZF as seen with GNE's X-Lines orders.
Minibuses for the 46, 51 and 55, highly doubt they'll upgrade 12 year old solos (if you even can).
Deckers for the 306 maybe or the Morpeth expresses but if the Micro Streelites rumour is true Jesmond need something to replace them on the 52 and 54 and I can't imagine it being a downgrade. You also have the 3 Commanders at Blyth, Scanias at Ashington and Jesmond and B7TL's which I highly doubt will be upgraded so imagine they'll be focused on them.
No way will the X21/X22 get new buses again. The X7, X8, X9, X10, X11, 306, 308, X14, X15, X16 and X18 are all as equal importance if not more (X10, X11, 308) than them and will get new buses before them. It's stupid sending a few buses to Blyth to replace a few VDL's which will have no-where to go thereselves. I can imagine most of Blyth being renewed at the same time which won't be this year. The best thing they could do at Blyth is have an open fleet with branding for everything or nothing since nothing stays on the same route anyway (which is a good thing). Rather than X7 buses on the X10, X10 buses on the 308 and 308 buses on the X10 which happens daily.
Started a bit of a conversation here? Shame that no-one from down here on Teesside has interjected with what they'd like to see happen.
