Arriva North East: Latest News and Discussion - April 2016

Has 1518 been fitted with econospeed, yet? It sounds and feels like a pulsar should, though I'm wondering if that's not more down to the young hipster driver.

Edit: meant to type 1418, dammit!

Good to read Jimmis "review"" of his journey on 1808 on the X93. I hope that, irregadless of the conditions of the vehicles, that this trial is a success and they can take over from the BTL7's. I was thinking of a trip myself but need it to be a little better weatherwise to cross the water into ArrivaLand.

(01 Apr 2016, 12:26 pm)scania driver wrote Good to read Jimmis "review"" of his journey on 1808 on the X93. I hope that, irregadless of the conditions of the vehicles, that this trial is a success and they can take over from the BTL7's. I was thinking of a trip myself but need it to be a little better weatherwise to cross the water into ArrivaLand.

Aye, it's flippin' cold, today.

(01 Apr 2016, 10:01 am)BusLoverMum wrote Has 1518 been fitted with econospeed, yet? It sounds and feels like a pulsar should, though I'm wondering if that's not more down to the young hipster driver.

The 61/12 reg batch wouldn't need econospeed as there gearbox setup doesn't allow kickdowns, Though the 09 and 63 reg Pulsars have econospeed and some drivers know how to override the feature

(01 Apr 2016, 12:37 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote The 61/12 reg batch wouldn't need econospeed as there gearbox setup doesn't allow kickdowns, Though the 09 and 63 reg Pulsars have econospeed and some drivers know how to override the feature

It was a nice ride, at any rate. Not lacking in the oomph department, when it was needed.

Frequenta 64 launch will be held at Durham Market Square on Thursday from 12:30, with a special magic performance from 13:00.

(01 Apr 2016, 12:37 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote The 61/12 reg batch wouldn't need econospeed as there gearbox setup doesn't allow kickdowns, Though the 09 and 63 reg Pulsars have econospeed and some drivers know how to override the feature

Of course, typical of me on my phone, I mis-typed. I was on 1418 (which explains why I was scratching my head about being 61 reg, when I read your reply!)

(01 Apr 2016, 3:34 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Of course, typical of me on my phone, I mis-typed. I was on 1418 (which explains why I was scratching my head about being 61 reg, when I read your reply!)

Ah right haha, Well then its just a case of the driver overriding the Econospeed, was the bus jerking a lot?

(01 Apr 2016, 3:38 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Ah right haha, Well then its just a case of the driver overriding the Econospeed, was the bus jerking a lot?

It was mostly pretty smooth, tbh. We were on the 21A which is about as varied as a route ever gets.

(01 Apr 2016, 3:44 pm)BusLoverMum wrote It was mostly pretty smooth, tbh. We were on the 21A which is about as varied as a route ever gets.

If it was smooth then you might of caught one that hasn't got it yet then, Drivers have to violently stomp on the pedal a few times to override the econospeed, causing the jerking.

(01 Apr 2016, 12:37 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote The 61/12 reg batch wouldn't need econospeed as there gearbox setup doesn't allow kickdowns, Though the 09 and 63 reg Pulsars have econospeed and some drivers know how to override the feature

I can confirm that the 61 and 12-reg batch of Pulsars do have Kickdowns.  They are sometimes a bit temperamental, but they certainly are there.

(01 Apr 2016, 3:53 pm)palatine3833 wrote I can confirm that the 61 and 12-reg batch of Pulsars do have Kickdowns.  They are sometimes a bit temperamental, but they certainly are there.

They are rarely used in them though, Though the gearbox in them is setup more eco than the 09s, Its more of a forced kickdown, hence why there temprimental.

(01 Apr 2016, 3:48 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote If it was smooth then you might of caught one that hasn't got it yet then, Drivers have to violently stomp on the pedal a few times to override the econospeed, causing the jerking.

There was definitely none of that.

In other news, Arriva have sort of released half baked details of one of their new tickets:
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east/L...l-5-for-5/

And they actually fooled a twitter user with one of their other "announcements", this morning
https://twitter.com/arrivanortheast/stat...3254407168

7484 has a broken rear destination display

(01 Apr 2016, 3:58 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote They are rarely used in them though, Though the gearbox in them is setup more eco than the 09s, Its more of a forced kickdown, hence why there temprimental.

All VDL Pulsars at Darlington have EconoSpeed fitted, 09, 61, 13 and 63 plate versions. As far as I know, Darlington is the only depot with EconoSpeed activation at the minute, on Pulsars and Solos.

(01 Apr 2016, 9:04 pm)MrPottski wrote All VDL Pulsars at Darlington have EconoSpeed fitted, 09, 61, 13 and 63 plate versions. As far as I know, Darlington is the only depot with  EconoSpeed activation at the minute, on Pulsars and Solos.

My apoligies, I didn't think econospeed was required on the 61 plates. How does econospeed work on solos, Are the hold gears on the gear selector disabled?

(01 Apr 2016, 8:58 pm)NK53 TKT wrote 7484 has a broken rear destination display

So! Whats posting it on here going to do about it?
Forgive me for thinking this was a bus forum rather than a fault reporting service?

(01 Apr 2016, 9:09 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote My apoligies, I didn't think econospeed was required on the 61 plates. How does econospeed work on solos, Are the hold gears on the gear selector disabled?

That clears up the difference I noticed!

(01 Apr 2016, 9:45 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote So! Whats posting it on here going to do about it?
Forgive me for thinking this was a bus forum rather than a fault reporting service?

Who peed in your cornflakes?

Yes, no one here can do anything about it, but it's a kid, making an observation. As people do.

(01 Apr 2016, 9:58 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Who peed in your cornflakes?

Yes, no one here can do anything about it, but it's a kid, making an observation. As people do.

All I'm saying is if it was bothering him that much surely it would be more appropriate e-mailing/phoning arriva about it rather than just posting it on here

(01 Apr 2016, 10:08 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote All I'm saying is if it was bothering him that much surely it would be more appropriate e-mailing/phoning arriva about it rather than just posting it on here

Not exactly, There's 2 GNE Employees on this forums who work on Destination Displays etc, Weave reported a lot of problems on different vehicles to them and they have dealt with it.
No harm in doing the same thing on Arrivas Disscussion page.

(01 Apr 2016, 10:18 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Not exactly, There's 2 GNE Employees on this forums who work on Destination Displays etc, Weave reported a lot of problems on different vehicles to them and they have dealt with it.
No harm in doing the same thing on Arrivas Disscussion page.

I understand that but as far as I'm aware there isn't anyone from Arriva on here that deals with the destinations? If I'm wrong please feel free to correct me

In response to MB134 from March:

I think that although B9s on the X18 would be great, the current E400s seem to cope fine. Also, had a ride on 7508 (original X31 / X32 batch) today from Newcastle to Bedlington Front St on the X22 and it seemed fine.

Hopefully, none of the 09 plate and above E400s should end up in the same state as the 57 plates particularly the original 308 batch (7501-7506). Got to remember that the B9s are also heavy duty and although the fuel economy is only slightly less than an E400 (which still adds up), the cost of maintaining Volvos when they go wrong in the long term is also more. These two factors alone are crucial for rural Northumberland routes due to recent cuts etc.

For anyone after it, 1808 was the 0850 from Middlebsrough.
Whitby to Scarborough at 1006, 1306 and 1611
Scarborough at 1120, 1420 and 1725
Whitby towards Middlesborough at 1825 (arrive) 1833 (depart)
Guisborough at 1912

(01 Apr 2016, 10:29 pm)Dans_bus_photos wrote I understand that but as far as I'm aware there isn't anyone from Arriva on here that deals with the destinations? If I'm wrong please feel free to correct me

Yes, you are wrong...

Is there any reasoning behind the A4 'On Loan From Arriva Yorkshire' sheet stuck to the front window of 1808? 7485 doesn't seem to have anything.

(02 Apr 2016, 10:29 am)mb134 wrote Is there any reasoning behind the A4 'On Loan From Arriva Yorkshire' sheet stuck to the front window of 1808?

1808 is currently running suitability trials on route X93 from Middlesbrough to Scarborough with a view to exchanging a number of these BTL9's, currently based at Arriva Yorkshire/Selby, with the BTL7's - 7485 etc currently with ANE. 7485 is presently the exchange vehicle at Selby.

(02 Apr 2016, 10:29 am)mb134 wrote Is there any reasoning behind the A4 'On Loan From Arriva Yorkshire' sheet stuck to the front window of 1808? 7485 doesn't seem to have anything.

I'd imagine the legal lettering on this bus hasn't been altered, hence the need to declare it 'on loan' somewhere on the bus.

(02 Apr 2016, 10:35 am)Dan wrote I'd imagine the legal lettering on this bus hasn't been altered, hence the need to declare it 'on loan' somewhere on the bus.

Nice one. Hadn't though of that.