(15 Feb 2014, 9:32 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote If Arriva we're looking for a route change for the 306 (and no, I'm not being biased towards GNE, I'm looking from a marketing POV), I'd say this would be likely:

- Pulling it out of Battle Hill due to GNE dominating the corridor with 11 buses per hour.

Looking from a marketing POV, as you suggest for some reason (even when marketing teams do not decide bus routes - they market the final product!) how exactly would a company justify throwing away revenue just because they are not the dominant operator in the area?

What planet do you live on?

(15 Feb 2014, 10:39 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote Looking from a marketing POV, as you suggest for some reason (even when marketing teams do not decide bus routes - they market the final product!) how exactly would a company justify throwing away revenue just because they are not the dominant operator in the area?

What planet do you live on?

The only revenue from Battle Hill they'd be throwing away would be from Tynemet. Other than that, they would have the potential to gain revenue from Single, RTN and Conc fares between Shields and Whitley Bay. That would make up the shortfall whilst offering quicker journeys between Marden and Newcastle whilst offering a more balanced and combined service with the 308 thus improving reliability on both services.

Pleased to see Whitby weren't using minibuses on the X4 today on their first day - 4042 and 4704. We'll see what happens tomorrow when they need more than two!

(16 Feb 2014, 2:05 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Pleased to see Whitby weren't using minibuses on the X4 today on their first day - 4042 and 4704. We'll see what happens tomorrow when they need more than two!

One of those two will finish at Redcar tonight. Likewise one of the boards starting at Redcar this morning will finish at Whitby tonight. Same all the way through the week. No doubt these are the two boards that will end up with the worst allocations as they keep swapping the crap!

(16 Feb 2014, 2:09 pm)tyresmoke wrote One of those two will finish at Redcar tonight. Likewise one of the boards starting at Redcar this morning will finish at Whitby tonight. Same all the way through the week. No doubt these are the two boards that will end up with the worst allocations as they keep swapping the crap!

Really?! Well Redcar's are both Pulsars - do Whitby know how to drive them, or will they swap it over for a Prestige for the last run?!

(16 Feb 2014, 2:09 pm)tyresmoke wrote One of those two will finish at Redcar tonight. Likewise one of the boards starting at Redcar this morning will finish at Whitby tonight. Same all the way through the week. No doubt these are the two boards that will end up with the worst allocations as they keep swapping the crap!

Shame they can't put deckers on it. They'll still have to do light running to change them over!

(16 Feb 2014, 2:09 pm)tyresmoke wrote One of those two will finish at Redcar tonight. Likewise one of the boards starting at Redcar this morning will finish at Whitby tonight. Same all the way through the week. No doubt these are the two boards that will end up with the worst allocations as they keep swapping the crap!

How does that work then? How does the Whitby driver get back to Whitby and vice versa? Do they swap crews at Loftus or something?!

(16 Feb 2014, 2:32 pm)Roland Pratt wrote How does that work then? How does the Whitby driver get back to Whitby and vice versa? Do they swap crews at Loftus or something?!

There's a Whitby duty that has a break in Redcar in order to pick up the Whitby finish.

(16 Feb 2014, 2:28 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Shame they can't put deckers on it. They'll still have to do light running to change them over!

Ideally you'd swap the deckers in Middlesbrough but they move buses on a night between Redcar and Whitby quite often. There should be a different plan for the 93 this summer anyway regarding allocation and indeed the diagrams may well end up the same as the X4.

Couple of last day allocations for Teesside yesterday:

Last day of service 4 (Redcar-Lingdale) had 1436, 1711 and 4651, with MPD 1711 operating the last trip.

Last X5 from Whitby was Stockton's 1512 (last trip for Stockton depot to Whitby also!)
Last X5 into Whitby was Prestige 4042 (Redcar based...) - others being 1104, 1105 and 4704!

Last service 30 to Saltersgill was Prestige 4001
Last service X6 to Kingsmead was Cadet 1917

As a result of service changes starting today, 3 buses were withdrawn overnight... Stockton lost Prestige 4045 and Redcar MPD's 1737 and 1739. Of course Redcar are still using disposal 1711 and 1743 so I don't suppose these two will be any different....

is Redcar depot getting any new buses

From Tyresmoke on the 02-02-2014

(02 Feb 2014, 10:06 am)tyresmoke wrote Well as its a quiet Sunday morning I thought I would round up our orders for this year... Most of these have been mentioned and/or hinted at on various Facebook groups already.

10 VDL Pulsar - Stockton -Service 5/5A (Sapphire spec)
14 VDL Pulsar - Redcar/Whitby - Service X3/X4/4 (Sapphire spec)
8 VDL Pulsar - Jesmond - Service 306
5 VDL Pulsar - Darlington - Service 1/5 (may go to Durham svc 23)
6 ADL Enviro 400 - Ashington - Service X21/X22 (Sapphire spec)
6 unknown double deck -Ashington/Alnwick -Service X18

Total 49

This should enable us to bin what's left of the Prestiges and make a good start on the Darts too, especially with so many Solos freed up by cascades.
X21/X22 Sapphire will be also getting 8 E400 refurbished, likely to be 7514-21

(14 Feb 2014, 2:43 pm)tyresmoke wrote That's the problem, we don't generally have service specific rotas at Arriva as far as I know, for example my rota at Stockton has 56 drivers on it and the only service we don't touch is the X2. We do everything else that the depot does, but ask me for a place around Peterlee or Wingate etc and I wouldn't have a clue... I know my route (ie the 21A) and that's it... Somebody asked me if I went past St Bedes School earlier, which was met with a 'Where's that?' lol

Just out of curiosity, which is better from a drivers point of view: The variety of a general rota, or the familiarity of a route-specific rota? Anyone know if GNE & Stagecoach do the same?

(17 Feb 2014, 1:10 pm)Chris wrote Just out of curiosity, which is better from a drivers point of view: The variety of a general rota, or the familiarity of a route-specific rota? Anyone know if GNE & Stagecoach do the same?

Go North East have specific business units at each depot - services like the TEN and Toon Link will belong to one business unit, and only certain drivers will be able to operate the services in this business unit.

This means that drivers can be completely familiar with a few services - know the zone boundaries inside and out, know where a stop may be that a passenger requests which a driver from another business unit may not be able to identify, etc...

If it's a rather small business unit, passengers can get to know their drivers too. When the Tynedalexpress was first marketed, something along the lines of 'Driven by your friendly local drivers at Hexham depot' was something said.

(17 Feb 2014, 1:16 pm)Dan wrote Go North East have specific business units at each depot - services like the TEN and Toon Link will belong to one business unit, and only certain drivers will be able to operate the services in this business unit.

This means that drivers can be completely familiar with a few services - know the zone boundaries inside and out, know where a stop may be that a passenger requests which a driver from another business unit may not be able to identify, etc...

If it's a rather small business unit, passengers can get to know their drivers too. the Tynedalexpress was first marketed, something along the lines of 'Driven by your friendly local drivers at Hexham depot' was something said.

That last line (or very similar) was used on all, if not the majority of timetables and literature when branding was first introduced.

You have partly answered a question which has been going through my mind since last weekend.

Apart from the examples you gave, where you have stated certain units are allocated certain drivers, can anyone confirm if an ex Winlaton driver would appear on a 57 or 58 now, or will they still drive routes, previously allocated to their home depot?

That then links into an additional question, since there are now a range of vehicles allocated (often incorrectly) to different routes.
If a problem occurs with a decker working an 11 and the only spare vehicle is a Versa, what will happen to the ex Winlaton driver if he/she isn't familiar with that vehicle type?
Will they be told to just get on with it, or have driving staff been given familiarisation training behind the scenes?
Obviously depot standardisation comes into its own here, but with a depot the size of Riverside, that is practically impossible.

Splitting the posts as it's easier for me

(17 Feb 2014, 1:29 pm)andreos1 wrote Apart from the examples you gave, where you have stated certain units are allocated certain drivers, can anyone confirm if an ex Winlaton driver would appear on a 57 or 58 now, or will they still drive routes, previously allocated to their home depot?

I think the only example of this is the Blaydon Racers. One of our GNE reps said prior to Riverside's opening is that the Blaydon Racers will join a business unit group which is primarily ex-Gateshead services. That's why driver changeovers are still done at Gateshead rather than at Metrocentre (as is the case with the TEN, Toon Link etc).

(17 Feb 2014, 1:29 pm)andreos1 wrote That then links into an additional question, since there are now a range of vehicles allocated (often incorrectly) to different routes.
If a problem occurs with a decker working an 11 and the only spare vehicle is a Versa, what will happen to the ex Winlaton driver if he/she isn't familiar with that vehicle type?
Will they be told to just get on with it, or have driving staff been given familiarisation training behind the scenes?
Obviously depot standardisation comes into its own here, but with a depot the size of Riverside, that is practically impossible.

Vehicle types at Riverside:

• Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini
  
• Volvo B7TL/East Lancs Vyking
  
• Volvo B10BLE/Wright Renown
  
• Scania L94UB/Wright Solar
  
• Scania L94UA/Wright Solar Fusion
  
• Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse
  
• Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro
  
• Mercedes Citaro 0530G/Mercedes Citaro
  
• Optare Versa V1170/Optare
  
• Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President
  
• Volvo B9TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini
  
• VDL SB120/Wright Merit
  
• Optare Versa V1110/Optare
  
• Wright Streetlite DF/Wright
  

The only new vehicles to Winlaton drivers when merging with Riverside are in italics above.
Solars in the past have been on loan to Winlaton depot (see here for an example), so I imagine a few of the drivers based there will have had familiarisation with this vehicle type - the remaining drivers would have been given familiarisation upon merge.
The articulated vehicles can only be driven by those who have been given artic. training; realistically, you don't see those vehicles off-route all too often!
This leaves Versas, Streetlites and Merits - I don't think it would be particularly difficult to have given drivers familiarisation on these vehicles when the depots merged.

http://www.itv.com/news/tyne-tees/update...tby-crash/

Officers need to trace the driver of a forklift or telehandler - similar to a JCB - which was travelling in front of the bus just before the collision.

I had thought most buses now have drivers view CCTV cameras installed these days? For insurance purposes more than anything else.

(17 Feb 2014, 9:20 pm)aureolin wrote I had thought most buses now have drivers view CCTV cameras installed these days? For insurance purposes more than anything else.

They do but sometimes the systems don't work as they should!
It was 7624 involved I gather, wasn't too badly damaged from what I've seen.

Assuming VLW39 (LJ51DJD) is just one example of a Volvo B7TL heading to the North East shortly?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/110217213@N07/12630165405/

(19 Feb 2014, 8:55 am)Dan wrote Assuming VLW39 (LJ51DJD) is just one example of a Volvo B7TL heading to the North East shortly?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/110217213@N07/12630165405/

Will have to check my list but if I remember right this should be one of our 11 yes.

Latest allocation sheet throws up a few interesting points...
Firstly the transfers on paper are:
1309/1737 Darlington-Redcar (replacing 2827/2828 to Whitby via paintshop)
1724 reserve-Darlington (cover for 4809 - in reality I don't think 1724 has ever been withdrawn)
1739 Redcar-reserve
4045 Stockton-reserve
7437 Jesmond-Ashington
7467 Ashington-Jesmond

Various depots are still hanging onto buses for various reasons...
1428 has returned to Darlington and is back on the road, they were hanging onto 2 Darts (1301/2 if I remember right) whilst 1428 and 4809 were off the road.
Thus 1653/4 are still awaiting transfer from Durham to Redcar, who as a result are still using reserve/transfer Darts 1711/1737/1739/1743 and Prestiges 4044/68.
Stockton are still using Prestige 4045 in a reserve capacity for the next few months to give us extra flexibility I gather.
Temsa 4718 is back on the road at Redcar too, but that may have just displaced another to go to Smiles for engineering modifications.

(19 Feb 2014, 8:55 am)Dan wrote Assuming VLW39 (LJ51DJD) is just one example of a Volvo B7TL heading to the North East shortly?
http://www.flickr.com/photos/110217213@N07/12630165405/

I reckon it is yes... My list says these VLW's are still unallocated...

PB0002717/54 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Darlington and Barnard Castle given service number 75/76 effective from 24-Feb-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

(20 Feb 2014, 4:45 pm)Michael wrote PB0002717/54 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Darlington and Barnard Castle given service number 75/76 effective from 24-Feb-2014. To amend Route and Timetable.

Think this will be reverting back to the original route & timetable prior to the A67 closure near High Coniscliffe

(20 Feb 2014, 12:39 pm)tyresmoke wrote Will have to check my list but if I remember right this should be one of our 11 yes.

Latest allocation sheet throws up a few interesting points...
Firstly the transfers on paper are:
1309/1737 Darlington-Redcar (replacing 2827/2828 to Whitby via paintshop)
1724 reserve-Darlington (cover for 4809 - in reality I don't think 1724 has ever been withdrawn)
1739 Redcar-reserve
4045 Stockton-reserve
7437 Jesmond-Ashington
7467 Ashington-Jesmond

Various depots are still hanging onto buses for various reasons...
1428 has returned to Darlington and is back on the road, they were hanging onto 2 Darts (1301/2 if I remember right) whilst 1428 and 4809 were off the road.
Thus 1653/4 are still awaiting transfer from Durham to Redcar, who as a result are still using reserve/transfer Darts 1711/1737/1739/1743 and Prestiges 4044/68.
Stockton are still using Prestige 4045 in a reserve capacity for the next few months to give us extra flexibility I gather.
Temsa 4718 is back on the road at Redcar too, but that may have just displaced another to go to Smiles for engineering modifications.

Are 2827/2828 for those Whitby services your mentioned a while a go?

(20 Feb 2014, 5:43 pm)Tom wrote Are 2827/2828 for those Whitby services your mentioned a while a go?

The Whitby Park & Ride yes, starts at Easter.
Desperately needed I reckon, despite quite ferocious local opposition.

The penultimate Pulsar to be debranded has re-entered service, 1448

4662 worked this morning's 0635 85/685 from Newcastle.
4661 is working the 1607 685/85 from Carlisle.
Just seen a snapper at Carlisle bus station too, anyone on these forums?

Does anyone knows about which journeys of 44 Newcastle-Morpeth are serving by Jesmond depot? As I think before last year, all of the route 44A journeys are served by Ashington depot. But in these days, I think only part of the journeys are by Ashington.

The point I'm asking such question is that I saw 4510 on 44 leaving Haymarket at 1750 today, which is my first time to see a roll blind B10BLE on 44 to Morpeth (instead of Dinnington, quite often to see it though). So I hope I can catch a photo of one of these before they have been withdrawn.

And one more thing, Optare Spectra 7483 has it's advertisement removed leaving a nice pure Arriva livery, that really looks good!!

(21 Feb 2014, 7:15 pm)bcal3119 wrote Does anyone knows about which journeys of 44 Newcastle-Morpeth are serving by Jesmond depot? As I think before last year, all of the route 44A journeys are served by Ashington depot. But in these days, I think only part of the journeys are by Ashington.

The point I'm asking such question is that I saw 4510 on 44 leaving Haymarket at 1750 today, which is my first time to see a roll blind B10BLE on 44 to Morpeth (instead of Dinnington, quite often to see it though). So I hope I can catch a photo of one of these before they have been withdrawn.

And one more thing, Optare Spectra 7483 has it's advertisement removed leaving a nice pure Arriva livery, that really looks good!!

All of them are operated by Jesmond.