Arriva North East service levels during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
Arriva North East service levels during the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic
(20 Jun 2020, 8:29 pm)Storx That's not streamlining though, streamlining is where you merge bus routes and remove duplicate bus routes in the same area service similar or the same purpose. It's just reducing the frequency. The Blyth expresses have ran at similar frequencies but as different disguises for the same or similar frequencies for years now without being subsidised at all. There's other routes you'd target before those.But if an OmniDekka turned up on lets say the X30 (if Consett still have any), at least you'd know that you were on an old bus rather than being disguised as X-Lines.
For the record when it comes to frequencies it's
X7/X8 - Every 15 Minutes
X9 - Every 30 Minutes
X10/X11 - Every 10 Minutes
You can't combine the X9 with the X10 and X11 as they're 2 different bus routes like you did above.
Arriva have suitable spares usually for the network however they're 1493, 1497, 1501-1505. However they've chosen that it's better to have an older decker on rather than a single with limited capacity.
Also I'd rather be on a ex. London 'boneshaker' than have my bus timetable reduced, not everyone is obsessed by fancy branding and useless features. There's no point having newer buses sitting around in a depot being unused and they're not bad buses even given their age. They're not the only operator who do it up here who have ex. Brighton deckers instead.
(20 Jun 2020, 8:29 pm)Storx That's not streamlining though, streamlining is where you merge bus routes and remove duplicate bus routes in the same area service similar or the same purpose. It's just reducing the frequency. The Blyth expresses have ran at similar frequencies but as different disguises for the same or similar frequencies for years now without being subsidised at all. There's other routes you'd target before those.But if an OmniDekka turned up on lets say the X30 (if Consett still have any), at least you'd know that you were on an old bus rather than being disguised as X-Lines.
For the record when it comes to frequencies it's
X7/X8 - Every 15 Minutes
X9 - Every 30 Minutes
X10/X11 - Every 10 Minutes
You can't combine the X9 with the X10 and X11 as they're 2 different bus routes like you did above.
Arriva have suitable spares usually for the network however they're 1493, 1497, 1501-1505. However they've chosen that it's better to have an older decker on rather than a single with limited capacity.
Also I'd rather be on a ex. London 'boneshaker' than have my bus timetable reduced, not everyone is obsessed by fancy branding and useless features. There's no point having newer buses sitting around in a depot being unused and they're not bad buses even given their age. They're not the only operator who do it up here who have ex. Brighton deckers instead.
(21 Jun 2020, 6:37 am)L469 YVK But if an OmniDekka turned up on lets say the X30 (if Consett still have any), at least you'd know that you were on an old bus rather than being disguised as X-Lines.
But at least GoNE are doing the right thing with the X30 by diverting 1x of the X1 batch to Consett to make up the new PVR of 4 allowing a dedicated spare.
Regarding the X9 / X10 / X11, the journey times are very similar between Blyth and Newcastle and they both have a middle common point in Cramlington. Surely it would make sense given the times we're in to streamline.
Looking at Newsham Black Diamond, the X10 & X11 run on a 16-4 split (20 min freq each). If anything, reducing the frequency to every 30 minutes each would create a more evenly distributed service.
If better times do come back again, a "super-fast" express like ANE's X30 running all day would be a good option.
(21 Jun 2020, 6:37 am)L469 YVK But if an OmniDekka turned up on lets say the X30 (if Consett still have any), at least you'd know that you were on an old bus rather than being disguised as X-Lines.
But at least GoNE are doing the right thing with the X30 by diverting 1x of the X1 batch to Consett to make up the new PVR of 4 allowing a dedicated spare.
Regarding the X9 / X10 / X11, the journey times are very similar between Blyth and Newcastle and they both have a middle common point in Cramlington. Surely it would make sense given the times we're in to streamline.
Looking at Newsham Black Diamond, the X10 & X11 run on a 16-4 split (20 min freq each). If anything, reducing the frequency to every 30 minutes each would create a more evenly distributed service.
If better times do come back again, a "super-fast" express like ANE's X30 running all day would be a good option.
(19 Jun 2020, 2:26 pm)Kuyoyo X22: Increased to hourly between Middlesbrough and North Tees Hospital Monday to Saturday.
(19 Jun 2020, 2:26 pm)Kuyoyo X22: Increased to hourly between Middlesbrough and North Tees Hospital Monday to Saturday.
(21 Jun 2020, 11:07 am)Jimmi Same with X21, increased to hourly between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe although sadly still lining up with the X22 times meaning it's still providing an unbalanced timetable between Darlington and Aycliffe as it's been running at the exact same times as service 8 to/from Darlington
X21 aside, Darlington is more or less back to the usual levels of service during weekday daytimes but still COVID-19 frequencies on a Saturday.
7 is removed from Durham Gate except at weekday peak times as previously planned and will now only extend to Framwellgate Moor on weekday mornings in term time
(21 Jun 2020, 11:07 am)Jimmi Same with X21, increased to hourly between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe although sadly still lining up with the X22 times meaning it's still providing an unbalanced timetable between Darlington and Aycliffe as it's been running at the exact same times as service 8 to/from Darlington
X21 aside, Darlington is more or less back to the usual levels of service during weekday daytimes but still COVID-19 frequencies on a Saturday.
7 is removed from Durham Gate except at weekday peak times as previously planned and will now only extend to Framwellgate Moor on weekday mornings in term time
Blyth have cut the rota line numbers by 10% going forward long term by the looks of it, mainly due to reduced frequency of all services on Saturdays and X8/9 through the week apart from peak times. No better time to bring it in and fairly sensible changes as well, not something you can say often for Arriva.
(21 Jun 2020, 10:14 am)Storx They do have enough buses for it though?Newsham would be 14/16. Cramlington would be 8/12/10 and Blyth would be 9/11/10.
27 MAX - 21 Gemini / 6 Pulsar
X10 / X11 - PVR 12
X7 / X8 - PVR 10
X9 - PVR 4
Total 26 Buses (1 Spare) same as your beloved GNE at Consett. Then there's an extra Gemini from the 308 if needed aswell. The only reason reason the older buses end up on the expresses is because they swap things around at Blyth to get things back on time and add extra buses in rather than just cancelling them outright or short like other companies.
You can't possibly tag the X9 and X10/11 together they're not the same route at all. Okay they serve 4 bus stops which are the same on the whole hour journey but that's not a valid reason. It's false economy and would just confuse people. Very few people will travel from Blyth to Cramlington to Newcastle there's no reason to. It's about the estates inbetween to Blyth, Cramlington or Newcastle. Like I said it's also not streamlining it's cutting frequency.
21 - 9 frequency is worse aswell btw. You've reduced an ex 10 minute service to double that time if you hit it at the wrong time.
There's no reason to change the expresses, in particular cutting frequencies, it's probably their most profitable area in the N. East, Teeside and Darlington would get decimated before they even consider touching up here.
(21 Jun 2020, 10:14 am)Storx They do have enough buses for it though?Newsham would be 14/16. Cramlington would be 8/12/10 and Blyth would be 9/11/10.
27 MAX - 21 Gemini / 6 Pulsar
X10 / X11 - PVR 12
X7 / X8 - PVR 10
X9 - PVR 4
Total 26 Buses (1 Spare) same as your beloved GNE at Consett. Then there's an extra Gemini from the 308 if needed aswell. The only reason reason the older buses end up on the expresses is because they swap things around at Blyth to get things back on time and add extra buses in rather than just cancelling them outright or short like other companies.
You can't possibly tag the X9 and X10/11 together they're not the same route at all. Okay they serve 4 bus stops which are the same on the whole hour journey but that's not a valid reason. It's false economy and would just confuse people. Very few people will travel from Blyth to Cramlington to Newcastle there's no reason to. It's about the estates inbetween to Blyth, Cramlington or Newcastle. Like I said it's also not streamlining it's cutting frequency.
21 - 9 frequency is worse aswell btw. You've reduced an ex 10 minute service to double that time if you hit it at the wrong time.
There's no reason to change the expresses, in particular cutting frequencies, it's probably their most profitable area in the N. East, Teeside and Darlington would get decimated before they even consider touching up here.
(21 Jun 2020, 3:11 pm)L469 YVK Newsham would be 14/16. Cramlington would be 8/12/10 and Blyth would be 9/11/10.
Arriva are going to have to go forward as a more leaner outfit despite historical standpoints. They had to do that in 2010 and again in 2012.
The same argument could've been said about the X21 & X22 back in 2012 despite the original routes being different to an extent. Whilst the changes were controversial and p***ed some people off, they did their job and simplified things.
(21 Jun 2020, 3:11 pm)L469 YVK Newsham would be 14/16. Cramlington would be 8/12/10 and Blyth would be 9/11/10.
Arriva are going to have to go forward as a more leaner outfit despite historical standpoints. They had to do that in 2010 and again in 2012.
The same argument could've been said about the X21 & X22 back in 2012 despite the original routes being different to an extent. Whilst the changes were controversial and p***ed some people off, they did their job and simplified things.
(21 Jun 2020, 4:12 pm)Storx I'm guessing we're going to have to agree to disagree here and see what happens. We both have very different opinions of the future and I can't see it being too significant in the long term not until at least the Northumberland line is opened (if it ever is).I agree where you're coming from in terms of changing something that's familiar. Arriva do very well with their local routes such as the 51/51A/57/57A/1/2
There's other areas that imo would go before the Blyth expresses.
(21 Jun 2020, 4:12 pm)Storx I'm guessing we're going to have to agree to disagree here and see what happens. We both have very different opinions of the future and I can't see it being too significant in the long term not until at least the Northumberland line is opened (if it ever is).I agree where you're coming from in terms of changing something that's familiar. Arriva do very well with their local routes such as the 51/51A/57/57A/1/2
There's other areas that imo would go before the Blyth expresses.
(21 Jun 2020, 4:37 pm)L469 YVK I agree where you're coming from in terms of changing something that's familiar. Arriva do very well with their local routes such as the 51/51A/57/57A/1/2
But in terms of their core routes, a PVR decrease of 11 vehicles whilst only slightly cutting services is a very significant saving and would allow Arriva to operate more sustainably. No routes would be changed as such in terms of the route that they take.
If Arriva were to order vehicles with the X10 & X11 in their current form plus the 308, that would be 23x vehicles (excl spares). That's not taking into account the 306 & X9.
If Arriva were to however order vehicles for the X9/X10/X11 & 306/308 in the future, then 26x vehicles (excl spares) would be needed but...................that's still 9x less than what would be required with services in their current form.
If they ordered spares, 2x at Blyth covering a PVR of 19x and 1x at Jesmond covering PVR of 7x. That still leaves Arriva with 6x less vehicles required even with a suitable spare ratio taken into account. In turn, that would significantly reduce associated costs and improve reliability in terms of vehicle uptime.
(21 Jun 2020, 4:37 pm)L469 YVK I agree where you're coming from in terms of changing something that's familiar. Arriva do very well with their local routes such as the 51/51A/57/57A/1/2
But in terms of their core routes, a PVR decrease of 11 vehicles whilst only slightly cutting services is a very significant saving and would allow Arriva to operate more sustainably. No routes would be changed as such in terms of the route that they take.
If Arriva were to order vehicles with the X10 & X11 in their current form plus the 308, that would be 23x vehicles (excl spares). That's not taking into account the 306 & X9.
If Arriva were to however order vehicles for the X9/X10/X11 & 306/308 in the future, then 26x vehicles (excl spares) would be needed but...................that's still 9x less than what would be required with services in their current form.
If they ordered spares, 2x at Blyth covering a PVR of 19x and 1x at Jesmond covering PVR of 7x. That still leaves Arriva with 6x less vehicles required even with a suitable spare ratio taken into account. In turn, that would significantly reduce associated costs and improve reliability in terms of vehicle uptime.
(21 Jun 2020, 10:32 pm)Storx The thing is though if you did a bit of jiggling around you could keep similar service levels (or even improved) but keep the same reduction your wanting.You know what it is? Although I would change some parts to it, I actually agree to a large extent. You've sorted 2x "problem" routes (X8 & X9).
The X8 and X9 are by far the weakest two expresses out the lot and I'd work on trying to get arid of them or improving them.
So my idea would be this:
X7 - Increased to every 20 minutes and serves Amersham Drive, PVR 7 (Singles) (+3) - Gives the Cobalt Clipper a real competition and also replaces the X8 which is changed below from Burradon to Newcastle. Improved service in Seaton Valley aswell.
X8 - Renumbered X9 Below, Northern Section Only (-6)
X9 - Current X9 removed or replaced by 43 and 52. New X9 is current X10 from Cramlington -> Parkside then current X8 route PVR 4 (DD) (0) - Creates quicker links from Cowpen and Northern Blyth to Newcastle and keeps 10 Minute service between Cramlington and Parkside. Doesn't serve Swaledale Avenue and runs direct Tynedale Avenue.
X10 - Every 30 Mins (Works with X9 / X11) - No Changes, Northern Section complemented with X9 (X8) - PVR 4 (DD) (-2)
X11 - Every 30 Mins (Works with X9 / X11) - No Changes - PVR 4 (DD) (-2)
43/43A - Same as current Newcastle -> Seaton Burn where splits as below. - PVR 8 (DD) (+1)
43 Every 30 Mins - Continues current route to Dudley where travels along Fern Drive and does current X8 route to Cramlington - Restores bus from Fern Drive to NCL and utilises better use of buses which is already covered by X10/X11, 52 and 53.
43A Every 30 Mins heads towards Seaton R'bout and does current X9 bus route to Cramlington. - Removes the worst running express and give an evening service (currently ends at 7pm) by making more profit on the Southern section.
52 - Extended to Blyth hourly on X9 route (+1) (Single) Keeps link along A1061 in Blyth and gives new link from Blyth to Freeman to replace X9.
53 - Extended to Morpeth hourly (+1) (Single)
PVR Changes
-----------------
X7 (+3) (DD -> Single)
X8 (-4)
X9 (0) (Single -> DD)
X10 (-2) (DD)
X11 (-2) (DD)
43 (+1) (DD)
52 (+1) (Single)
53 (+1) (Single)
New: 20 DD, 17 Singles (37 Total)
Old: 28 DD, 12 Singles (40 Total)
Your creating better links to places and removing the worst serving express services hence they're only hourly currently or with the case of the X8 giving a quicker service which could push more people to use it and by improving the customer base by linking it in with other buses that serve the same area with Parkside in Cramlington. Also by using more singles than currently your saving costs when purchasing new buses rather than purchasing more deckers. This is real streamlining as your utilising the 43 which is a bit of a waste currently.
(21 Jun 2020, 10:32 pm)Storx The thing is though if you did a bit of jiggling around you could keep similar service levels (or even improved) but keep the same reduction your wanting.You know what it is? Although I would change some parts to it, I actually agree to a large extent. You've sorted 2x "problem" routes (X8 & X9).
The X8 and X9 are by far the weakest two expresses out the lot and I'd work on trying to get arid of them or improving them.
So my idea would be this:
X7 - Increased to every 20 minutes and serves Amersham Drive, PVR 7 (Singles) (+3) - Gives the Cobalt Clipper a real competition and also replaces the X8 which is changed below from Burradon to Newcastle. Improved service in Seaton Valley aswell.
X8 - Renumbered X9 Below, Northern Section Only (-6)
X9 - Current X9 removed or replaced by 43 and 52. New X9 is current X10 from Cramlington -> Parkside then current X8 route PVR 4 (DD) (0) - Creates quicker links from Cowpen and Northern Blyth to Newcastle and keeps 10 Minute service between Cramlington and Parkside. Doesn't serve Swaledale Avenue and runs direct Tynedale Avenue.
X10 - Every 30 Mins (Works with X9 / X11) - No Changes, Northern Section complemented with X9 (X8) - PVR 4 (DD) (-2)
X11 - Every 30 Mins (Works with X9 / X11) - No Changes - PVR 4 (DD) (-2)
43/43A - Same as current Newcastle -> Seaton Burn where splits as below. - PVR 8 (DD) (+1)
43 Every 30 Mins - Continues current route to Dudley where travels along Fern Drive and does current X8 route to Cramlington - Restores bus from Fern Drive to NCL and utilises better use of buses which is already covered by X10/X11, 52 and 53.
43A Every 30 Mins heads towards Seaton R'bout and does current X9 bus route to Cramlington. - Removes the worst running express and give an evening service (currently ends at 7pm) by making more profit on the Southern section.
52 - Extended to Blyth hourly on X9 route (+1) (Single) Keeps link along A1061 in Blyth and gives new link from Blyth to Freeman to replace X9.
53 - Extended to Morpeth hourly (+1) (Single)
PVR Changes
-----------------
X7 (+3) (DD -> Single)
X8 (-4)
X9 (0) (Single -> DD)
X10 (-2) (DD)
X11 (-2) (DD)
43 (+1) (DD)
52 (+1) (Single)
53 (+1) (Single)
New: 20 DD, 17 Singles (37 Total)
Old: 28 DD, 12 Singles (40 Total)
Your creating better links to places and removing the worst serving express services hence they're only hourly currently or with the case of the X8 giving a quicker service which could push more people to use it and by improving the customer base by linking it in with other buses that serve the same area with Parkside in Cramlington. Also by using more singles than currently your saving costs when purchasing new buses rather than purchasing more deckers. This is real streamlining as your utilising the 43 which is a bit of a waste currently.
Not sure how much of an impact the Saltburn resurfacing works are having on the Coatham 18, but the X3/X3A were affected by it massively yesterday.
Noted an X3/X3A missing out Saltburn Square/Windsor Road out and turning left at the bottom of Marske Mill Lane yesterday.
The nature of the works, mean that the X3/X3A are particularly affected. They hit the works arriving in to Saltburn from Redcar. Hit them again as they head up to Skelton and yet again on the return leg (arriving from Skelton and on the way back out to Redcar).
(20 Nov 2020, 12:00 pm)Andreos1 Not sure how much of an impact the Saltburn resurfacing works are having on the Coatham 18, but the X3/X3A were affected by it massively yesterday.Our guys were losing about 10 mins both ways, we diverted some trips round the back as we’re only using the Sprinter so they can go over the bridge. Only misses two stops out where we never pick anyone up.
Noted an X3/X3A missing out Saltburn Square/Windsor Road out and turning left at the bottom of Marske Mill Lane yesterday.
The nature of the works, mean that the X3/X3A are particularly affected. They hit the works arriving in to Saltburn from Redcar. Hit them again as they head up to Skelton and yet again on the return leg (arriving from Skelton and on the way back out to Redcar).
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Service Manager, Coatham Connect
(20 Nov 2020, 12:00 pm)Andreos1 Not sure how much of an impact the Saltburn resurfacing works are having on the Coatham 18, but the X3/X3A were affected by it massively yesterday.Our guys were losing about 10 mins both ways, we diverted some trips round the back as we’re only using the Sprinter so they can go over the bridge. Only misses two stops out where we never pick anyone up.
Noted an X3/X3A missing out Saltburn Square/Windsor Road out and turning left at the bottom of Marske Mill Lane yesterday.
The nature of the works, mean that the X3/X3A are particularly affected. They hit the works arriving in to Saltburn from Redcar. Hit them again as they head up to Skelton and yet again on the return leg (arriving from Skelton and on the way back out to Redcar).
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Service Manager, Coatham Connect
(22 Nov 2020, 1:12 pm)tyresmoke Our guys were losing about 10 mins both ways, we diverted some trips round the back as we’re only using the Sprinter so they can go over the bridge. Only misses two stops out where we never pick anyone up.
(22 Nov 2020, 1:12 pm)tyresmoke Our guys were losing about 10 mins both ways, we diverted some trips round the back as we’re only using the Sprinter so they can go over the bridge. Only misses two stops out where we never pick anyone up.
