(07 Dec 2015, 5:10 pm)tyresmoke wrote I expect it's life can be numbered in days, put it that way

thank you

(07 Dec 2015, 1:48 pm)tyresmoke wrote Some interesting thoughts in this thread!
Not too sure how much I can give away but the launch for the X7/X8/X9 and X20 should both be very soon as the majority  of the vehicles are ready now.

In fact I've just seen a picture of VLW117 (our 7413 - LF52UPN) at Enfield fully ready to head north, and I believe 7412/4/5 are all ready at Thorntons. Just need the branding adding and then I'm sure Titan will be along to provide a performance!

More Max routes to be added as we go into 2016, including the X75 as previously mentioned.
I'm not sure whether we could take the X15/X18 out of Max now if we were to brand them separately. The growth on that corridor and certainly the X93 suggests that Max is very popular with our passengers so why fix something that isn't broke?

I've now been told the above - launch for Blyth MAX in January. Ashington MAX launch about the same time? 

Can't say much else as I haven't been given lots of info on the launch.

LF52 UPN seen here at Enfield bus garage.
Arriva VLW117 (LF52UPN) Enfield bus garage 7th Dec 2015 by Peter, on Flickr

(07 Dec 2015, 6:22 pm)Jimmi wrote LF52 UPN seen here at Enfield bus garage.
Arriva VLW117 (LF52UPN) Enfield bus garage 7th Dec 2015 by Peter, on Flickr

Doesn't look too bad, apart from the dark blue strip at the bottom of the doors?

(06 Dec 2015, 11:10 pm)2bagstew wrote Darlington's service 21/X21 to Peterlee/Sunderland is there any future plans to change it to a Max service.

Only a tiny section of the route is an "express" service. The Peterlee-Darlington section is anything but and has already been ID'd as an "eco" route, like the 23.

(07 Dec 2015, 6:46 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Only a tiny section of the route is an "express" service. The Peterlee-Darlington section is anything but and has already been ID'd as an "eco" route, like the 23.

If you were to renumber it you could maybe make the 21/21A/X21 MAX services I feel as there is a few bits in the route where there is a fair gap between bus stops although it isn't limited stop although neither is the X75/X76 and they are becoming MAX in the new year. Could probably easily change the brand from Eco to MAX.

(07 Dec 2015, 6:52 pm)Jimmi wrote If you were to renumber it you could maybe make the 21/21A/X21 MAX services I feel as there is a few bits in the route where there is a fair gap between bus stops although it isn't limited stop although neither is the X75/X76 and they are becoming MAX in the new year. Could probably easily change the brand from Eco to MAX.

The overall route fits in more closely with the Sapphire brand, to be honest, as it takes in a lot of villages.

(07 Dec 2015, 6:39 pm)mb134 wrote Doesn't look too bad, apart from the dark blue strip at the bottom of the doors?

It's the same as 7410/11... 

Enfield have a tendency to continue the colours as a block along the front... Whereas 7410/11, the light blue stops at the end of the front panels.

(07 Dec 2015, 6:56 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The overall route fits in more closely with the Sapphire brand, to be honest, as it takes in a lot of villages.

I'd suggest its not exactly busy enough to justify much investment, never mind Sapphire.
I'm not sure where we could go Sapphire next but the logical one would be the 23?

(07 Dec 2015, 6:58 pm)GX03 SVC wrote It's the same as 7410/11... 

Enfield have a tendency to continue the colours as a block along the front... Whereas 7410/11, the light blue stops at the end of the front panels.

Hadn't noticed that on them before,

Does look good though. I notice all seats have plastic covers on, does this mean that they are brand new seats, just haven't seen any pictures of refurbishments with covers on before.

(07 Dec 2015, 7:32 pm)mb134 wrote Hadn't noticed that on them before,

Does look good though. I notice all seats have plastic covers on, does this mean that they are brand new seats, just haven't seen any pictures of refurbishments with covers on before.

They're either new or retrimmed with headrests.

(07 Dec 2015, 7:37 pm)GX03 SVC wrote They're either new or retrimmed with headrests.

Think it could do with a new registration plate like, looks quite scruffy.

(06 Dec 2015, 2:54 pm)Dan wrote A trip to Durham is like playing Where's Wally... but where the intention is to spot a bus with a rear destination that works!

In all of my trips to Durham over the last few months, today included, I've struggled to find buses with working rear destinations. I'm guessing that I am seeing the same ones time and time again, rather than 90% of the fleet having rear destinations that don't work..?

No Blyth, Ashington or Jesmond MPDs as far as I am aware have working rear destinations

(07 Dec 2015, 7:47 pm)NK53 TKT wrote No Blyth, Ashington or Jesmond MPDs as far as I am aware have working rear destinations

Where have you been, NK53 TKT?! We've missed you!

(07 Dec 2015, 7:47 pm)NK53 TKT wrote No Blyth, Ashington or Jesmond MPDs as far as I am aware have working rear destinations

I've seen plenty of Ashington, Blyth and Jesmond's MPDs with working rear destinations, where fitted.

On the subject of rear destinations, 7445/6 only display the last two digits of three digit service numbers, for example I've seen them displaying "20" when on the X20, and "22" when on the X22.

(07 Dec 2015, 8:03 pm)mb134 wrote On the subject of rear destinations, 7445/6 only display the last two digits of three digit service numbers, for example I've seen them displaying "20" when on the X20, and "22" when on the X22.

Some pillock at headquarters decided it would be a good idea to do them like this to all buses which have the same setup with the displays. I've reported this problem and it should be resolved in the next update.

It also affects Blyth's '05 MPDs, which have the same size of displays.

(07 Dec 2015, 4:47 pm)Cock Robin wrote No I meant is that why its out of date as it still advertises Jeffs Bus Lane, which is defunct!

Sorry mate I miss red the comment. 
How long is it been gone now.

A shame about the allocation at Redcar being plagued with Temsa's.

Maybe it would have been more ideal to Max the X3/4 and Saphhire the 63, given its frequency and volume of passengers it carries. 

While admit that the X3/4 and improved significantly, it does seem to be the expense of the 63, which many a driver referred to as the 'bread winner'

A couple of points of view from some of the above:
MAX deckers - I cannot be the only one who thinks refurbishing 13 year old ex London stock, for a premium route, just doesn't make sense. I'm sure it's been previously mentioned these vehicles will have spent their lives dawdling around at 20mph, then they will be expected to be thrashed within an inch of their lives, without any kind of mechanical upgrades.
21/21A/X21 - Although it is classed as an Eco route, that is only the Darlington EcoCity operated 21/X21 portion, I think any upgrades will come in the form of new vehicles for the whole service, Streetlites would be ideal. 4812/13/14 have started to suffer from reliability issues lately, possibly their role as pre production demonstrators is starting to catch up with them.
X75/6 - I don't think it will be advertised as "Limited Stop" but there are large portions of the route where there are no stops to serve, so I think that's where the reasoning behind the MAX branding comes from. However, I think other vehicular alternatives should be sought for this route.
Destination screens - Don't get me started!!!!

(07 Dec 2015, 9:20 pm)MrPottski wrote A couple of points of view from some of the above:
MAX deckers - I cannot be the only one who thinks refurbishing 13 year old ex London stock, for a premium route, just doesn't make sense. I'm sure it's been previously mentioned these vehicles will have spent their lives dawdling around at 20mph, then they will be expected to be thrashed within an inch of their lives, without any kind of mechanical upgrades.

I agree with you, but mainly on the age front, it just doesn't seem cost effective, in a year or two they will have to be replaced anyway, 

Hopefully they're similar, reliability wise, to the first set of B7s that arrived, I had a go on 7492 the other day and it seemed in better condition than some of the 57-plate E400s.

Still think age will be a problem, something private plates would help with. Trying to launch a premium service with buses that are clearly past their best isn't going to be as effective as it could be. However, as soon as you put plates on it's a different story.

(07 Dec 2015, 9:54 pm)mb134 wrote I agree with you, but mainly on the age front, it just doesn't seem cost effective, in a year or two they will have to be replaced anyway, 

Hopefully they're similar, reliability wise, to the first set of B7s that arrived, I had a go on 7492 the other day and it seemed in better condition than some of the 57-plate E400s.

Still think age will be a problem, something private plates would help with. Trying to launch a premium service with buses that are clearly past their best isn't going to be as effective as it could be. However, as soon as you put plates on it's a different story.

According to Peter, an Enfield driver on Flickr, these B7s that are coming up were badly maintained and were horrible to drive. 

These buses will be expected to speeds of about 50mph, a walk in the park for a certain dual-purpose vehicle...

I cannot see these lasting long on the X20. I really can't.

(07 Dec 2015, 9:59 pm)GX03 SVC wrote According to Peter, an Enfield driver on Flickr, these B7s that are coming up were badly maintained and were horrible to drive. 

These buses will be expected to speeds of about 50mph, a walk in the park for a certain dual-purpose vehicle...

I cannot see these lasting long on the X20. I really can't.

Great work Arriva!

The more you look at it, the less they seem to care about the X20. Little promotion, the worst possible allocation, no late/Sunday services, I can go on.

7453-56 are perfect for this, how can't they see that! (and before the 'Ashington can't be trusted' response that was given last time, make Ashington be trusted, get them in line, if they really are that bad.)

(07 Dec 2015, 10:03 pm)mb134 wrote Great work Arriva!

The more you look at it, the less they seem to care about the X20. Little promotion, the worst possible allocation, no late/Sunday services, I can go on.

7453-56 are perfect for this, how can't they see that! (and before the 'Ashington can't be trusted' response that was given last time, make Ashington be trusted, get them in line, if they really are that bad.)

I keep saying this over and over, so I completely agree.

The only reason that a depot can't be trusted, is because senior management are not managing them. There should not be an ounce of difference between depots, but if there is, then deal with it.

It comes across like the company have no control over the depots.

(07 Dec 2015, 10:08 pm)Adrian wrote I keep saying this over and over, so I completely agree.

The only reason that a depot can't be trusted, is because senior management are not managing them. There should not be an ounce of difference between depots, but if there is, then deal with it.

It comes across like the company have no control over the depots.

Exactly, 

Passengers shouldn't be made to pay for depot mismanagement. However, in the long run, the joke is on Arriva, they're the ones who will lose custom.

(07 Dec 2015, 10:03 pm)mb134 wrote Great work Arriva!

The more you look at it, the less they seem to care about the X20. Little promotion, the worst possible allocation, no late/Sunday services, I can go on.

7453-56 are perfect for this, how can't they see that! (and before the 'Ashington can't be trusted' response that was given last time, make Ashington be trusted, get them in line, if they really are that bad.)

They are absolutely useless at promoting services. I complained via their Facebook page about the Alnmouth station services and how they should promote the service more. 

In the REVISED edition of the 6th September 2015 timetable (which corrected the mistake of buses serving Hawthorn Road in Ashington), little sheets of paper were inserted into the timetable advertising the new extension to the service!

The Revised edition was delivered to Ashington in early-October, pretty disgraceful really.

Also the fact that they promote a service which uses 15-year old deckers...yeah, I'm going to be attracted to this service not the X18......

(07 Dec 2015, 9:20 pm)MrPottski wrote 21/21A/X21 - Although it is classed as an Eco route, that is only the Darlington EcoCity operated 21/X21 portion, I think any upgrades will come in the form of new vehicles for the whole service, Streetlites would be ideal. 4812/13/14 have started to suffer from reliability issues lately, possibly their role as pre production demonstrators is starting to catch up with them.
X75/6 - I don't think it will be advertised as "Limited Stop" but there are large portions of the route where there are no stops to serve, so I think that's where the reasoning behind the MAX branding comes from. However, I think other vehicular alternatives should be sought for this route.
Destination screens - Don't get me started!!!!

Haven't them three EcoCity's had reliability problems ever since we got them? For buses of that age I am slightly concerned by how many times I have seen those three at the side of the road broken down so I am starting to become less trusting in them which for me is a bad thing as knowing my luck before long I am probably get one of them three back from Sunderland/Peterlee one day and get stuck waiting an hour for the next one or wait 30 minutes and take a lengthy detour on the 21A to Stockton then to Darlington to reach home. The other EcoCity's don't seem so bad, 4811 is nearly always on the 21/X21 and stays there all day. The problem is, if you take them EcoCity's off the 21/X21, where would you put them at Darlington? 8/8A maybe.

X75/X76, by the time they are MAX'd they will be pretty much 11 years old although most MAX referbs are just a case of paint the exterior, paint the handrails, whack in some WiFi and re-trim the seats with e-leather so shouldn't cost too much. The Omnicity's now seem down on power and some of them just sound awful, 4649 is my least personal favourite.

Wonder if the side destination screens on at least one of Darlington's MAX Omnicity's will ever get fixed, been like that for, too long and not  something Arriva should be ignoring as in a few weeks time this will make the bus non DDA compliant.

(07 Dec 2015, 10:03 pm)mb134 wrote Great work Arriva!

The more you look at it, the less tem to care about the X20. Little promotion, the worst possible allocation, no late/Sunday services, I can go on.

7453-56 are perfect for this, how can't they see that! (and before the 'Ashington can't be trusted' response that was given last time, make Ashington be trusted, get them in line, if they really are that bad.)

Well put it this way, if Arriva don't buy any new stock and end up cocking things up, then it would mean some decent E400s with Voith gearboxes. Don't think GNE would compete incase Arriva attacked any of their monopolies but if Arriva tried taking on Stagecoach, they'd be flat on their a***s within a number of weeks. And looking at the way Stagecoach is heading, they want to expand beyond their typical 62/63/39/40 and go more suburban under some new management faces.

Would make a canny go of it if they tried particularly anybody who works at the Metrocentre would jump straight over.

The only way how Arriva haven't lost that many passengers is due to the lack of competition. There is nobody to lose passengers to, other than taxis and cars.

Until some competition comes, I can see most of Northumberland having to put up with elderly unreliable buses being refurbished. It isn't hard for a non-enthusiast to see that these buses are old. Look at the lighting, the interior, the black floors etc. To be honest, the only thing stopping me from switching to taxi or car is the free on-board WiFi, which is something else that Arriva like to scream and shout about.

Sapphire and MAX will look stupid and pointless in a few years time when Arriva take another turn and all buses have these features.

(07 Dec 2015, 11:38 pm)GX03 SVC wrote The only way how Arriva haven't lost that many passengers is due to the lack of competition. There is nobody to lose passengers to, other than taxis and cars.

Until some competition comes, I can see most of......

My argument exactly for donkeys years now about Redcar/East Cleveland. No competition so a free license to do as one pleases!!

Very much a like it or lump it, take it or leave it attitude for years.

Things do seem to have improved a lot though, especially with investment in things like Sapphire X3/X4.