North East Buses

Volvo Hybrid 7810 on the X5....0600 from Blyth

(02 Jan 2014, 7:27 am)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Volvo Hybrid 7810 on the X5....0600 from Blyth

That must be the rarest ever Arriva working!

(02 Jan 2014, 7:27 am)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Volvo Hybrid 7810 on the X5....0600 from Blyth

Almost as predictable as Whitby having 1651 and 1743 on service 5!
Having said that I managed to take Cadet 1904 for a trip to Brotton on service 5A, which is pretty rare in Stockton's allocation...
Prestige 4030 is on the 5 too having been changed over with Scania 4654 earlier, the Scania took its place on less taxing route 17. Pulsar 1453 on 21A was another odd allocation.
Redcar meanwhile had ALX300 4094 on services 64a/X3/X4. Should see the end of this in a few weeks!

7477 on X1 (again) departed Durham for Middlesbrough at 10.20.

Not sure why this happened but Darlington decided to let 1510 have a day off from routes 1/5 (which it is generally allocated to) and spend some time on the 75/76.

(02 Jan 2014, 5:31 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]Not sure why this happened but Darlington decided to let 1510 have a day off from routes 1/5 (which it is generally allocated to) and spend some time on the 75/76.

Pulsar's should become more standard allocation on services 75/76 soon, when all of the movements have occured, I understand. Probably 3 of 1424-8.

(02 Jan 2014, 5:50 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Pulsar's should become more standard allocation on services 75/76 soon, when all of the movements have occured, I understand. Probably 3 of 1424-8.

I was thinking 1510's appearance was hopefully a sign of what is to come although I doubt 13 reg buses on 75/76 will become standard allocation yet. Is it likely the X1 (Darlington) will receive new Pulsars allowing the current X1 branded Pulsars to be used on a route such as X66 and possibly even be branded for it?

(02 Jan 2014, 6:00 pm)peter wrote [ -> ]I was thinking 1510's appearance was hopefully a sign of what is to come although I doubt 13 reg buses on 75/76 will become standard allocation yet. Is it likely the X1 (Darlington) will receive new Pulsars allowing the current X1 branded Pulsars to be used on a route such as X66 and possibly even be branded for it?

No the X1 won't be getting new buses this year. I would expect the current batch of 4 to stay on there as they've been well looked after at Bishop. Should be repainted soon if the current program is anything to go by! Service 1 and 5 should get a 2nd batch of new Pulsars to go with the 13 plates already recieved, this should free up Pulsars for the 75/76.

Didn't expect to find this on my 5A board today. Started in Brotton at 0723 this morning...

(02 Jan 2014, 7:27 am)citaro5284 wrote [ -> ]Volvo Hybrid 7810 on the X5....0600 from Blyth

It's not that rare TBH. At Blyth, anything within reason goes to ensure the reliability of all services. If a 308 comes in late, then Blyth have to send out whatever they've got to ensure that it keeps to time. The 308 is very much like a domino service because if one bus turns up late, it has a major knock on effect on the next one because not only do you have the people who've been waiting for 30 minutes and the people who solely depend on the 308, you have people who are going to Billy Mill where they've got a choice between the 308 and the 306 and also, the short fares to Benfield Road too. When a queue forms on the 308, more and more people come at the last minute and quite often, with 10 and 20 pound notes.

(02 Jan 2014, 8:06 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote [ -> ]It's not that rare TBH. At Blyth, anything within reason goes to ensure the reliability of all services. If a 308 comes in late, then Blyth have to send out whatever they've got to ensure that it keeps to time. The 308 is very much like a domino service because if one bus turns up late, it has a major knock on effect on the next one because not only do you have the people who've been waiting for 30 minutes and the people who solely depend on the 308, you have people who are going to Billy Mill where they've got a choice between the 308 and the 306 and also, the short fares to Benfield Road too. When a queue forms on the 308, more and more people come at the last minute and quite often, with 10 and 20 pound notes.

And all of this happens at 6am?

(02 Jan 2014, 8:15 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]And all of this happens at 6am?

Suppose it's possible that one runs onto 308 in Newcastle? Not sure just a theory.

(02 Jan 2014, 8:25 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Suppose it's possible that one runs onto 308 in Newcastle? Not sure just a theory.

It doesn't. Think it does the 0717 X4.

(02 Jan 2014, 8:06 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote [ -> ]It's not that rare TBH. At Blyth, anything within reason goes to ensure the reliability of all services. If a 308 comes in late, then Blyth have to send out whatever they've got to ensure that it keeps to time. The 308 is very much like a domino service because if one bus turns up late, it has a major knock on effect on the next one because not only do you have the people who've been waiting for 30 minutes and the people who solely depend on the 308, you have people who are going to Billy Mill where they've got a choice between the 308 and the 306 and also, the short fares to Benfield Road too. When a queue forms on the 308, more and more people come at the last minute and quite often, with 10 and 20 pound notes.

Davey....Not at 0600 in the morning on its first run out of the Depot!

Yes, but back in December, I got on the one that leaves Blyth at 05:05 in the morning and it was a VDL DB300 and running 5 minutes late.

(02 Jan 2014, 9:33 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote [ -> ]Yes, but back in December, I got on the one that leaves Blyth at 05:05 in the morning and it was a VDL DB300 and running 5 minutes late.

Most likely due to the allocated vehicle not starting up? Driver picks a different vehicle, and tries to make up the delay caused by his shoddy bus not starting.

Regardless of what time of.the day it is, my understanding is that the Volvo Hybrids should *only* be allocated to the coastliner route (308?), as that's what they got the government grant based upon?

Stockton not only cover their own work but also provided a bus & driver to cover a Whitby run on service 5/X5 today, with Scania 4652 operating the 1215 from Middlesbrough to Whitby, running back light.

(03 Jan 2014, 8:29 pm)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Stockton not only cover their own work but also provided a bus & driver to cover a Whitby run on service 5/X5 today, with Scania 4652 operating the 1215 from Middlesbrough to Whitby, running back light.

While 4040 worked the 1345 Stockton working (and the more normal 1747 30 at the end).

1512 meanwhile went onto the short 17s at 1520.

6 A Captains Tale Un'ID Pulsar on the Scholar Service 459 through Lambton this Afternoon, I'm going to keep my on this in case it happens again, guttered I didn't get a photo.