(07 Apr 2015, 4:49 pm)Jimmi wrote Was slightly surprised to find that it has charging points like Sapphire buses do.

(07 Apr 2015, 5:34 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Eh? 

Wasn't expecting that, surely all the new 2014 StreetLites should have got them, instead of the Sapphire ones. But the X1?  :s

The "MAX" brand can't decide on its features then...

(07 Apr 2015, 5:40 pm)mb134 wrote The 2015 MAX E400's in Yorkshire also feature sockets, is it possible the MAX spec has changed?

(07 Apr 2015, 10:34 pm)NK05 GWZ wrote I noticed the NSA's on the X66 OmniCity's are very vague, at Stockton it simply said 'High Street' and for Middlesbrough simply said 'Bus Station'; surely if it was to allow people who are not familiar with the area to understand where they are its not very good!

(08 Apr 2015, 10:21 am)DaveyBowyer wrote Do you not think it's time Arriva fitted two way radios onto their vehicles? I know that the signal would be a bit poor in some places but, it would help improve reliability massively. For instance, 2x 308s were chasing each other in Whitley Bay and if radios were fitted, one could be advised to ditch the passengers onto the following service with the late one running empty to make up lost time.

(08 Apr 2015, 10:28 am)mb134 wrote I was thinking about this the other day, is it possible to get some mobile phone cradles, and set up a kind of depot group chat on Facebook or something similar, that way, the bus driver can easily get the messages when at bus stops etc

Also, it will be of no additional cost to Arriva (or any other operator for that matter), and most people these days have, or can get, Facebook? 

(08 Apr 2015, 10:31 am)Tommy_1581 wrote I know that Ashington Taxis have some sort of device that transmits messages to the vehicles asking if anyone was free to do an extra shift and all that etc, I think having something that has Facebook in the cab of a bus is rather distracting 

(08 Apr 2015, 10:35 am)mb134 wrote They wouldn't be able to take advantage though, most buses now have seats opposite the drivers cab, and as long as the driver puts the group chat on the screen, passengers will be able to see that that's the only thing they are doing. 

I'd argue a radio going off all the time would be more distracting, or is that not how bus radios would work?

(08 Apr 2015, 11:01 am)DaveyBowyer wrote That's how they're supposed to work.

(08 Apr 2015, 5:33 pm)Kuyoyo wrote As I understand it, Arriva are to roll out a text message system using the Wayfarers by which the driver can contact the depot's on-duty inspector or leading driver in the event of late running etc. Easier than having to fit every depot with a radio control room or reopen Jesmond control room.

(08 Apr 2015, 5:34 pm)G-CPTN wrote Back to pagers?

(07 Apr 2015, 6:49 am)MrPottski wrote 1590 on the X1 today

(08 Apr 2015, 7:06 pm)tyresmoke wrote This leaves only one Prestige in the ANE fleet now, 4051 still in use on advanced driver training in Northumbria I gather.

(08 Apr 2015, 7:09 pm)tyresmoke wrote Also quick little bit of news from Redcar is the arrival of 1301 (from Ashington) to replace failed 4504 which is now withdrawn following engine failure.

(08 Apr 2015, 7:09 pm)tyresmoke wrote Also quick little bit of news from Redcar is the arrival of 1301 (from Ashington)

(08 Apr 2015, 10:21 am)DaveyBowyer wrote Do you not think it's time Arriva fitted two way radios onto their vehicles? I know that the signal would be a bit poor in some places but, it would help improve reliability massively. For instance, 2x 308s were chasing each other in Whitley Bay and if radios were fitted, one could be advised to ditch the passengers onto the following service with the late one running empty to make up lost time.

(09 Apr 2015, 2:10 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote How many Plaxton Centro's do Stockton have? Noticed at least one on the 17.