30 - Volvo B8RLE Wright Eclipse 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12/X26/X27/X66/X67/X75 & X76
30 - Volvo B5TL Wright Gemini 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12 & X93
(28 Oct 2017, 10:14 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]30 - Volvo B8RLE Wright Eclipse 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12/X26/X27/X66/X67/X75 & X76
30 - Volvo B5TL Wright Gemini 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12 & X93
While I firmly believe that B8RLEs are the only option when the time comes to replace the Omnis, I'm unsure if Arriva would ever go for the suitable option. Equally, unsure if they require 30 single deckers right now?
The current X15 allocation is to be replaced next year, hopefully that gives us a sign if Arriva are willing to purchase vehicles suited to the routes they will be allocated to. A Streetdeck order would be quite the opposite.
(28 Oct 2017, 10:14 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]30 - Volvo B8RLE Wright Eclipse 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12/X26/X27/X66/X67/X75 & X76
30 - Volvo B5TL Wright Gemini 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12 & X93
I can't see either at all. They'll carry on mostly doing transfers.
(28 Oct 2017, 10:14 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]30 - Volvo B8RLE Wright Eclipse 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12/X26/X27/X66/X67/X75 & X76
30 - Volvo B5TL Wright Gemini 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12 & X93
Never going to happen, to put it bluntly. Think someone's got drunk
There's Wright StreetDecks ordered for X15 apparently.
13 x Wright Streetlites for Darlington
Its difficult to place a 'prediction' as such, but I don't for a minute think that Arriva will fork out for 60 new buses...
What I would like to see happen -
12x Enviro 400MMCs (Sapphire spec) for service 7 to replace 6x E400s 7534-38/40 and 6x Pulsars 1514-17/22/23
Then -
7534/35/36 used to displace older E400 7519/20/21 at Belmont for service 6.
7537/38/40 used to displace Pulsar 1524/25/26 at Belmont for service 6 for extra capacity.
1514-17/22-26 used to displace Solos/knackered Tempos on the 56/57/57A/86.
(29 Oct 2017, 12:50 am)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Never going to happen, to put it bluntly. Think someone's got drunk
There's Wright StreetDecks ordered for X15 apparently.
StreetDecks on the X15 would be suicide. I also, after all of the issues plaguing the Streetlites in the southern part of the region, see it unlikely that Arriva order any Wright integral products in the near future.
The sensible thing to do with the X15 would be Scania powered Enviro 400s or, at a higher cost, coaching stock - something like the B8RLE/Leopard that Stagecoach are going for.
Sadly it seems the purchase of StreetLite's and StreetDeck's is actually happening, or at least the StreetLite's are, as they are supposedly due to arrive at Darlington in January.
I really can't predict much else, although one thing to consider is from next year, the Whitby Park & Ride contract will require buses no older than 10 years old, so you are either going to need something new or cascades from somewhere, VDL Gemini's or E400's maybe? That's assuming Arriva win the contract again or even bid for it although I imagine it will be Arriva operated again.
(29 Oct 2017, 12:25 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]I really can't predict much else, although one thing to consider is from next year, the Whitby Park & Ride contract will require buses no older than 10 years old, so you are either going to need something new or cascades from somewhere, VDL Gemini's or E400's maybe? That's assuming Arriva win the contract again or even bid for it although I imagine it will be Arriva operated again.
The only vehicle from the X15 allocation less than 10 years old is 7514, but even that will turn 9 in 2018. Potentially a 61 plate Gemini moving to do the contract, with one of the current X15 deckers replacing it?
(29 Oct 2017, 12:50 am)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Never going to happen, to put it bluntly. Think someone's got drunk
There's Wright StreetDecks ordered for X15 apparently.
I can't see any reason why it wouldn't happen when Arriva The Shires, North West (Merseyside), Wales/Cymru and Yorkshire divisions have all had significant investment in the past few years.
Looking back to 2014 Arriva purchased 58 new vehicles for the North East division, since then we've had 31 new vehicles enter service here with the rest being cascades from elsewhere, clearly showing a lack of investment.
(29 Oct 2017, 1:51 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]I can't see any reason why it wouldn't happen when Arriva The Shires, North West (Merseyside), Wales/Cymru and Yorkshire divisions have all had significant investment in the past few years.
Looking back to 2014 Arriva purchased 58 new vehicles for the North East division, since then we've had 31 new vehicles enter service here with the rest being cascades from elsewhere, clearly showing a lack of investment.
Arriva North East have had loads of investment over the years, take the 2009-13 intake of Pulsars, the 2014-5 intake of StreetLites, the 2014-2017 intake of E400s, a brand new depot at Ashington, a refurbished depot at Belmont, and the upcoming relocation of Newcastle depot.
Then there's all the buses that have been refurbished.
If that isn't "significant investment" I don't know what is.
(29 Oct 2017, 2:32 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Arriva North East have had loads of investment over the years, take the 2009-13 intake of Pulsars, the 2014-5 intake of StreetLites, the 2014-2017 intake of E400s, a brand new depot at Ashington, a refurbished depot at Belmont, and the upcoming relocation of Newcastle depot.
Then there's all the buses that have been refurbished.
If that isn't "significant investment" I don't know what is.
Also, Arriva were the first of the 'big three' to have a full easy accessible fleet, and are about to embark on the largest refurbishment programme in its history.
(29 Oct 2017, 2:32 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Arriva North East have had loads of investment over the years, take the 2009-13 intake of Pulsars, the 2014-5 intake of StreetLites, the 2014-2017 intake of E400s, a brand new depot at Ashington, a refurbished depot at Belmont, and the upcoming relocation of Newcastle depot.
Then there's all the buses that have been refurbished.
If that isn't "significant investment" I don't know what is.
I'd largely echo this. Because of the large scale investment from 2009 to 2014 in brand new vehicles, there hasn't been too much need to continue in the same way in the past couple of years. Around 150 single deckers were bought new in that period, as well as around 50 double deckers.
If you then look at the amount for other vehicles that have had Sapphire and MAX refurbishments, the investment has been massive.
I definitely think there will be large investment next year, but likely nowhere near the 60 vehicle mark.
(29 Oct 2017, 2:32 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Arriva North East have had loads of investment over the years, take the 2009-13 intake of Pulsars, the 2014-5 intake of StreetLites, the 2014-2017 intake of E400s, a brand new depot at Ashington, a refurbished depot at Belmont, and the upcoming relocation of Newcastle depot.
Then there's all the buses that have been refurbished.
If that isn't "significant investment" I don't know what is.
Take away the fact I was not referring to a new depot or refurbs, there has been a lack of investment in new vehicles since 2014 regardless.
(28 Oct 2017, 10:14 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]30 - Volvo B8RLE Wright Eclipse 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12/X26/X27/X66/X67/X75 & X76
30 - Volvo B5TL Wright Gemini 3 for MAX Services: X7/X8/X9/X10/X11/X12 & X93
You wish!
(29 Oct 2017, 2:43 pm)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Also, Arriva were the first of the 'big three' to have a full easy accessible fleet, and are about to embark on the largest refurbishment programme in its history.
2009 is 8 years ago. You can include the Temsas in that as well.
(29 Oct 2017, 4:04 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Take away the fact I was not referring to a new depot or refurbs, there has been a lack of investment in new vehicles since 2014 regardless.
Between 2009 and 2015, Arriva bought a total of 313 brand new vehicles for the NE fleet.
In 2016, the second oldest set of vehicles in the fleet, the Y-EBR Lowlanders, were replaced by 55-plate Volvo B7TLs from London, only 10 years of age at the time. ALL of these were treated to a full interior refurbishment with, correct me if I'm wrong, USB charging, high backed e-leather seating and WiFi.
Now, look at the Arriva fleetlist and tell me where massive investment is needed in brand new vehicles. The B10BLEs will likely go next year, but even so they are still smart internally due to their refurbishment in 2011(?), but only this year did they reach typical "end of life" for a single deck - hell, First are re-trimming and repainting their Y-reg examples in Aberdeen.
Arriva aren't going to splash out millions ever year on brand new vehicles when they don't need to. Same applies with Go North East and Stagecoach.
(29 Oct 2017, 5:50 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Between 2009 and 2015, Arriva bought a total of 328 brand new vehicles for the NE fleet.
In 2016, the second oldest set of vehicles in the fleet, the Y-EBR Lowlanders, were replaced by 55-plate Volvo B7TLs from London, only 10 years of age at the time. ALL of these were treated to a full interior refurbishment with, correct me if I'm wrong, USB charging, high backed e-leather seating and WiFi.
Now, look at the Arriva fleetlist and tell me where massive investment is needed in brand new vehicles. The B10BLEs will likely go next year, but even so they are still smart internally due to their refurbishment in 2011(?), but only this year did they reach typical "end of life" for a single deck - hell, First are re-trimming and repainting their Y-reg examples in Aberdeen.
Arriva aren't going to splash out millions ever year on brand new vehicles when they don't need to. Same applies with Go North East and Stagecoach.
The remaining Volvo B10BLE's and Cadets are expected to be withdrawn when Darlington gets its new StreetLite's (currently expected in January) with buses transfering between some depots as well.
(29 Oct 2017, 5:50 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Between 2009 and 2015, Arriva bought a total of 313 brand new vehicles for the NE fleet.
In 2016, the second oldest set of vehicles in the fleet, the Y-EBR Lowlanders, were replaced by 55-plate Volvo B7TLs from London, only 10 years of age at the time. ALL of these were treated to a full interior refurbishment with, correct me if I'm wrong, USB charging, high backed e-leather seating and WiFi.
Now, look at the Arriva fleetlist and tell me where massive investment is needed in brand new vehicles. The B10BLEs will likely go next year, but even so they are still smart internally due to their refurbishment in 2011(?), but only this year did they reach typical "end of life" for a single deck - hell, First are re-trimming and repainting their Y-reg examples in Aberdeen.
Arriva aren't going to splash out millions ever year on brand new vehicles when they don't need to. Same applies with Go North East and Stagecoach.
Replacing the Scania Omnicities at Darlington, it's well documented how unreliable they are, given a vehicle a refurb and a lick of paint isn't going to improve reliability of a service now is it, I would also look at putting the Ex London B7 Geminis into a reserve role, rather than on a front line express service like the X20.
The services that I noted as part of my original post I do feel would benefit from new vehicles, the X12 being a good example given the fact Go North East are rumoured to be getting new vehicles for the 21 in the next month or so.
(29 Oct 2017, 6:21 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Replacing the Scania Omnicities at Darlington, it's well documented how unreliable they are, given a vehicle a refurb and a lick of paint isn't going to improve reliability of a service now is it, I would also look at putting the Ex London B7 Geminis into a reserve role, rather than on a front line express service like the X20.
The services that I noted as part of my original post I do feel would benefit from new vehicles, the X12 being a good example given the fact Go North East are rumoured to be getting new vehicles for the 21 in the next month or so.
I agree the Omnicities need replacing, however even if you replace all 05-plates that is still only 18 new vehicles needed.
I think the new X15 vehicles will likely displace 7511-4 to the X20, with the B7s in turn moving onto something like the 35.
I believe the early B7 Geminis are next on the hitlist should new double decks allow cascades next year