North East Buses

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Spirit Buses: facebook.com/spiritbuses
SERVICE UPDATE 1600:
Specialist engineers, local firms and garages have all been on site today to assist us and believe they have found the cause of the electrical faults on 'Spirit of Coquetdale'. Parts are however required and are being collected at first light tomorrow morning from manufacturers and suppliers.
Therefore we aim to run a service later tomorrow (Wednesday) (1445 to Elsdon) or worst case scenario Thursday morning beginning at 0745.
Our spare bus (which we pay a significant amount of money for to avoid these situations) 'Spirit of Simonside' is still awaiting a major component to arrive having failed on Thursday night before the Easter weekend.
We are in talks with suppliers to source an additional vehicle on loan but finding something suitable is proving difficult.
We have been seriously let down by the two vehicles provided to us and all i can do is to apologise once again for what has been our first major blow in 8 months of service.
Heartbreak and bitter disappointment aren't strong enough words to describe the situation presently.
Apologies, Steve

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I'm feeling really sorry for Steve and the Spirit Buses crew, I hope everything gets resolved soon

Just wondering, could they have approached Arriva? 

It is quite disappointing to see both of their vehicles off the road, especially when they provide a service the big boys won't. Really unlucky, and I hope they get back up and running tomorrow 

It's one of the disadvantages of being a small company - to guarantee one bus in service you really need two spares. Hope they get the problems solved and customers will sympathise.

(07 Apr 2015, 4:58 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Just wondering, could they have approached Arriva? 

It is quite disappointing to see both of their vehicles off the road, especially when they provide a service the big boys won't. Really unlucky, and I hope they get back up and running tomorrow 

I think Northumbria Rail were willing to loan them the Delta and the National, but the National is SORN.

(07 Apr 2015, 5:09 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]I think Northumbria Rail were willing to loan them the Delta and the National, but the National is SORN.

Still think that Arriva should have stepped in if they knew, didn't Ashington just get a spare X-GGO Dart, I know it probably wouldn't be the best but it's still a bus? 

(07 Apr 2015, 5:12 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Still think that Arriva should have stepped in if they knew, didn't Ashington just get a spare X-GGO Dart, I know it probably wouldn't be the best but it's still a bus? 

1301.

Yes, that would be a good idea. But don't Snaiths of Otterburn have Enviros and a couple of minibuses?

It'll be a lessons learned exercise if anything, and I'm sure Steve and co will ensure plans are put in place for the future.

Anyone know much Spirit Buses paid for the two Caetano Nimbuses, simple solution would be to get something from Dawson Rentals, looking there site they have a Nimbus, also have an Enviro 200 & 300, Scania Omnicity, Optare Solo and a range of Dennis Darts Available which could fill the void on a Temporary Basis.

(07 Apr 2015, 7:25 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Anyone know much Spirit Buses paid for the two Caetano Nimbuses, simple solution would be to get something from Dawson Rentals, looking there site they have a Nimbus, also have an Enviro 200 & 300, Scania Omnicity, Optare Solo and a range of Dennis Darts Available which could fill the void on a Temporary Basis.

Believe they've managed to secure a vehicle from Rothbury Motors for tomorrow morning, presumably one of the Varios like last time.

From Spirit Buses' Facebook:

You may notice some strange faces to our fleet over the next week or two as we evaluate replacements for our 'Spirit of Simonside' and 'Spirit of Coquetdale'.
They will be clearly marked with our service numbers and 'on evaluation with' notices.
Let us know what you think of each type!
Our current buses are going back after crippling maintenance costs (which I'm sure your all aware of) and to continue these lifeline rural services we need to be as efficient and reliable as possible.

They have a Plaxton Dart on loan from Hunters of Tantobie.

(17 Jun 2015, 8:30 am)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]From Spirit Buses' Facebook:

You may notice some strange faces to our fleet over the next week or two as we evaluate replacements for our 'Spirit of Simonside' and 'Spirit of Coquetdale'.
They will be clearly marked with our service numbers and 'on evaluation with' notices.
Let us know what you think of each type!
Our current buses are going back after crippling maintenance costs (which I'm sure your all aware of) and to continue these lifeline rural services we need to be as efficient and reliable as possible.

Was it ever confirmed (or identified), where the originals came from or what their history is?

(17 Jun 2015, 6:28 pm)Andreos1 wrote [ -> ]Was it ever confirmed (or identified), where the originals came from or what their history is?

On Spirit's Flickr, there's photos of them arriving on Dawsonrentals trucks.

(17 Jun 2015, 8:33 am)Tommy_1581 wrote [ -> ]They have a Plaxton Dart on loan from Hunters of Tantobie.

Confirmed as KU52 RXF, seen on service at Alnwick earlier today.

(17 Jun 2015, 8:07 pm)chrisnorthern wrote [ -> ]Confirmed as KU52 RXF, seen on service at Alnwick earlier today.

Good although really, thats the only MPD they could have sent as W363 ABD has a fixed destination for service 713.

Just a thought I had, as I'm sure initially they wanted Volvo single deckers, could they snatch a couple of the most reliable V-DFT Renowns that Arriva are withdrawing, and modify them so that they are DDA-compliant? 

Can't imagine they would be too expensive, and they are workhorses? 

(17 Jun 2015, 10:17 pm)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Just a thought I had, as I'm sure initially they wanted Volvo single deckers, could they snatch a couple of the most reliable V-DFT Renowns that Arriva are withdrawing, and modify them so that they are DDA-compliant? 

Can't imagine they would be too expensive, and they are workhorses? 

Renown's would probably be too big for Spirit Buses I would have thought.

Not really sure what else they could get that is small but reliable enough, I can only really think of Solos, MPDs or Enviro 200s although the last one would probably be too new and expensive.

B10BLEs are quite expensive to run as they drink fuel too

(17 Jun 2015, 10:27 pm)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]Renown's would probably be too big for Spirit Buses I would have thought.

Not really sure what else they could get that is small but reliable enough, I can only really think of Solos, MPDs or Enviro 200s although the last one would probably be too new and expensive.

What about the Streetlite Gateshead Central Taxis have/had, surely that would be affordable?

(18 Jun 2015, 4:21 am)Davie wrote [ -> ]What about the Streetlite Gateshead Central Taxis have/had, surely that would be affordable?

Driver familiarisation. They'd have to have someone from Wright or something to train them on the vehicle.