Are all of the MPD's in the fleet DDA compliant?

3 Scanias are in Darlington now, fully stickered up and ready to Max! All only branded for the X66 though

(01 Dec 2014, 7:07 pm)mb134 wrote Are all of the MPD's in the fleet DDA compliant?

No they're not, 1758-1775 plus 1790/1, 1798-1801 are though. The rest should be leaving the fleet within the next few months.

(01 Dec 2014, 7:32 pm)tyresmoke wrote No they're not, 1758-1775 plus 1790/1, 1798-1801 are though. The rest should be leaving the fleet within the next few months.

Ah right ok, cheers  Will the non compliant ones be replaced by vehicles currently in the NE fleet, or will vehicles be sourced from elsewhere? 

(01 Dec 2014, 7:37 pm)mb134 wrote Ah right ok, cheers  Will the non compliant ones be replaced by vehicles currently in the NE fleet, or will vehicles be sourced from elsewhere? 

The majority of whats left will be replaced by vehicles from within our own fleet.

5 05 reg Mini Darts are leaving Darlington for Blyth for example, replacing 1733, 1742, 1750, 1795 & 1796. These will be replaced by the P&R Solo's going to Darlington.

Quick front view of the Scanias, not easily accessible mind!
https://flic.kr/p/pYG9zU

7525 has gained Tyne bridge artwork behind it's cab, on the side of the stairs 

Wish Arriva would remove the photo about the MAX launch in Morpeth last Friday from their Facebook, keeps making me think its for the X66 launch.

(02 Dec 2014, 4:32 pm)Jimmi wrote Wish Arriva would remove the photo about the MAX launch in Morpeth last Friday from their Facebook, keeps making me think its for the X66 launch.

Which is in Stockton on Friday, believe it'll be lunchtime.

Arriva have been sending out emails to their customers advising them that the Arriva Bus website has been updated.

(29 Nov 2014, 12:59 pm)mb134 wrote Goes along with what I've said all along, with more than half the PVR being knackered you need 2 spares! Affecting other services now....

Not just Arriva North East's examples which are said to be having a few issues...

The caption for this photo suggests the examples allocated to Wrexham - Chester service 1 are also having a few difficulties (resulting in the frequent allocation of 03-reg coaches).

(02 Dec 2014, 4:58 pm)tyresmoke wrote Which is in Stockton on Friday, believe it'll be lunchtime.

Argh! Why are none of these launches on days I can show up on! haha

(02 Dec 2014, 5:19 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Argh! Why are none of these launches on days I can show up on! haha

There is one on Saturday in Darlington I think - possibly in the evening though.

(02 Dec 2014, 5:20 pm)Tom wrote There is one on Saturday in Darlington I think - possibly in the evening though.

Mmm, not sure I could make Darlington with the plan I have prepare for this Saturday!

Would have to be by train! - and I'm crap at navigating around in the dark!

(02 Dec 2014, 5:25 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Mmm, not sure I could make Darlington with the plan I have prepare for this Saturday!

Would have to be by train! - and I'm crap at navigating around in the dark!

It might actually be on the Friday evening but I don't know. 

It might actually be on the Friday evening but I don't know.

Scott (tyresmoke) said it would be Friday evening the other night on here, I'm still not sure and I'm waiting for Arriva to officially announce it.

Well that is what Arriva gets for buying cheap, turbocharged buses for express and long distance work. If only they had've followed GNE's example and ordered B9TL's, they wouldn't be suffering from various problems. 6001 to 6007 have proven themselves well after three years of carrying full loads on 35 - 40 mile round trips encountering Old Durham Road out of Gateshead into Wrekenton and the pacey Washington Highway whilst being hammered by drivers battling through the traffic. On the other hand however, Arriva's 2 Cummins engined decker types (DB300 and E400) covering similar if not, slightly less demanding routes, have taken a hammering.

(02 Dec 2014, 5:15 pm)Dan wrote Not just Arriva North East's examples which are said to be having a few issues...

The caption for this photo suggests the examples allocated to Wrexham - Chester service 1 are also having a few difficulties (resulting in the frequent allocation of 03-reg coaches).

They're having to keep some of them on local routes too...  https://www.flickr.com/photos/arrivanort...273192463/

(02 Dec 2014, 5:34 pm)mb134 wrote They're having to keep some of them on local routes too...  https://www.flickr.com/photos/arrivanort...273192463/

I'd probably be inclined to comment on the engineering abilities of certain depots rather than the buses themselves being no good. I'm intrigued to see whether Ashington can look after the (rather temperamental) Omnicities.

(02 Dec 2014, 5:37 pm)tyresmoke wrote I'd probably be inclined to comment on the engineering abilities of certain depots rather than the buses themselves being no good. I'm intrigued to see whether Ashington can look after the (rather temperamental) Omnicities.

When they are working, what are the Omnicities like? Are they suitable for the X15, power wise?
(I did have 4653 a couple of weeks back on an X18, but as it was an X18, there were no real opportunities to see anything power-wise, we were stuck in a long chain of traffic on the A1 from Berwick till the turn off)

(02 Dec 2014, 5:25 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Mmm, not sure I could make Darlington with the plan I have prepare for this Saturday!

Would have to be by train! - and I'm crap at navigating around in the dark!

'Tis a bit annoying for those of us enthusiasts who have work or educational priorities, meaning that we can't attend weekday daytime launches. It's something which has always annoyed me about Go North East's launches and other marketing stunts too, which are typically held on weekdays rather than weekends. Go North East has started to grasp onto the idea of appealing to a larger audience by having some of the marketing stunts during peak times or on weekends though - hopefully Arriva will follow suit in the near future... After all, it's not just enthusiasts who have work and educational priorities during the day time!

(02 Dec 2014, 5:34 pm)mb134 wrote They're having to keep some of them on local routes too...  https://www.flickr.com/photos/arrivanort...273192463/

Not good!
Had to say something when I saw the photo, knowing how much DB loves ADL Enviro400s!  
Admittedly, I had one of Ashington's normal ADL Enviro400s on service X20 at the weekend, and I thought it was fairly quick off the mark and handled the A1 decently.

(02 Dec 2014, 5:50 pm)mb134 wrote When they are working, what are the Omnicities like? Are they suitable for the X15, power wise?
(I did have 4653 a couple of weeks back on an X18, but as it was an X18, there were no real opportunities to see anything power-wise, we were stuck in a long chain of traffic on the A1 from Berwick till the turn off)

I was blessed with an OmniCity or two on service X93 earlier this year, and it was such an improvement to the Volvo B7TLs currently allocated. They're full of power and handle the banks no bother. Capacity of OmniCitys is the only thing which worries me with the X15 though; whilst I appreciate they're being allocated to the 'quieter' runs, who is to say these runs will remain quiet and growth doesn't come due to the "MAX" impact?

Really was surprised to see Arriva go for the split allocation with the X15 - can't help but feel it adds unnecessary complexity to route costings, if nothing else...

(02 Dec 2014, 6:00 pm)Dan wrote 'Tis a bit annoying for those of us enthusiasts who have work or educational priorities, meaning that we can't attend weekday daytime launches. It's something which has always annoyed me about Go North East's launches and other marketing stunts too, which are typically held on weekdays rather than weekends. Go North East has started to grasp onto the idea of appealing to a larger audience by having some of the marketing stunts during peak times or on weekends though - hopefully Arriva will follow suit in the near future... After all, it's not just enthusiasts who have work and educational priorities during the day time!


Not good!
Had to say something when I saw the photo, knowing how much DB loves ADL Enviro400s!  
Admittedly, I had one of Ashington's normal ADL Enviro400s on service X20 at the weekend, and I thought it was fairly quick off the mark and handled the A1 decently.


I was blessed with an OmniCity or two on service X93 earlier this year, and it was such an improvement to the Volvo B7TLs currently allocated. They're full of power and handle the banks no bother. Capacity of OmniCitys is the only thing which worries me with the X15 though; whilst I appreciate they're being allocated to the 'quieter' runs, who is to say these runs will remain quiet and growth doesn't come due to the "MAX" impact?

Really was surprised to see Arriva go for the split allocation with the X15 - can't help but feel it adds unnecessary complexity to route costings, if nothing else...

Think it depends which one you get, I remember having 7514 (before it's MAX refurb) and it was pretty quick, however I had 7515 a few weeks back and it was stupidly slow along the A1... However I remember about 2 years ago?? I was on 7410 through to Newcastle and it was overtaking everything along the A1, even a pretty new Blyth Gemini

Sounds good with regard to the Omni's, just hope that Ashington use common sense when allocating them

(02 Dec 2014, 5:50 pm)mb134 wrote When they are working, what are the Omnicities like? Are they suitable for the X15, power wise?
(I did have 4653 a couple of weeks back on an X18, but as it was an X18, there were no real opportunities to see anything power-wise, we were stuck in a long chain of traffic on the A1 from Berwick till the turn off)

If looked after properly they have plenty of power, the running gear underneath is almost to the standard of the Volvo B10 chassis' in my opinion, shame about the polish bodywork on the top, which just rattle endlessly. They should have no problem handling the X15 running up the A1 all day. Also worth mentioning that some Sunday services were converted to 418s which require a single deck vehicle, so I think the Omnis may work these too. If they were ever to need replacing on the X15 then I am sure we could find a home for them elsewhere, on other MAX routes.

'Tis a bit annoying for those of us enthusiasts who have work or educational priorities, meaning that we can't attend weekday daytime launches. It's something which has always annoyed me about Go North East's launches and other marketing stunts too, which are typically held on weekdays rather than weekends. Go North East has started to grasp onto the idea of appealing to a larger audience by having some of the marketing stunts during peak times or on weekends though - hopefully Arriva will follow suit in the near future... After all, it's not just enthusiasts who have work and educational priorities during the day time!

Problem is though some times will be okay for some people but not okay with other people, it is difficult to find ideal times for these publicly events, daytime launches will attract the elderly and anyone who is out shopping with many of the daytime launches being held in Market Places which could attract people doing their shopping to have a quick look at buses whilst they go about their business. Evening launches only really work if it is in the right place, for example when Arriva launched the 306 StreetLite's in Tynemouth on the seafront at around 5pm in autumn in the freezing cold not that many people where there and many of the people who did show up were us enthusiasts and the odd dog walkers so a pretty poor turn out. I think Saturday daytimes are probably the best to do these things but sometimes this is not possible, Arriva probably couldn't have done these MAX X66 launches on Saturday because of the market in Stockton on the High Street which means there is no where to put a bus there and pretty similar story for Darlington where there probably would normally be room for a launch on most Saturdays but with Christmas decorations and possibly some other stuff like a few rides in the Market Place in the run up to Christmas would prevent this happening.

Little bit of info from a wander round the yard this afternoon. Buses remaining at Stockton are
Back row: 1003, 4040, 4048, 1755, 4037
2nd row: 4069, 4038, 4030, 1756

Also, 1424 has transferred from Darlington to Durham

Was just thinking about what I posted earlier, with 7525's artwork behind the cab, should these not have been applied when the vehicles first entered service rather than waiting 4 months? The Pulsars gained theirs immediately didn't they?

Was just thinking about what I posted earlier, with 7525's artwork behind the cab, should these not have been applied when the vehicles first entered service rather than waiting 4 months? The Pulsars gained theirs immediately didn't they?

Probably should have been, but weren't maybe they there wasn't time to apply them before entering service or they may have only just been produced.

The Sapphire - 7 Pulsars had there's applied before entering service.

(02 Dec 2014, 8:23 pm)Jimmi wrote Probably should have been, but weren't maybe they there wasn't time to apply them before entering service or they may have only just been produced.

The Sapphire - 7 Pulsars had there's applied before entering service.

Aye true, but surely they should have got them ready before launch and they could have been applied when the internal branding was done. 
I've just seen a picture on Flickr of 7524 and it looks like it's picture is also the Tyne Bridge, when zoomed in. Don't the Pulsars have bits from different parts of the route?
Do the Streetlites have artwork?

Aye true, but surely they should have got them ready before launch and they could have been applied when the internal branding was done.

 I've just seen a picture on Flickr of 7524 and it looks like it's picture is also the Tyne Bridge, when zoomed in. Don't the Pulsars have bits from different parts of the route?
 Do the Streetlites have artwork?

Sapphire - 7 Pulsars all have different landmarks and pretty much all of them are things in Darlington and Durham and one has the Steel Man in Aycliffe.

Non of the StreetLite's have any artwork and I don't think there is anywhere to really put them as the next stop announcement screens take up part of the bit behind the drivers cab.

(02 Dec 2014, 8:38 pm)mb134 wrote Aye true, but surely they should have got them ready before launch and they could have been applied when the internal branding was done. 
I've just seen a picture on Flickr of 7524 and it looks like it's picture is also the Tyne Bridge, when zoomed in. Don't the Pulsars have bits from different parts of the route?
Do the Streetlites have artwork?

Given Ashington took several weeks to complete the external branding, 7509 (I think it was?) went around in plain livery for the first few weeks, we shouldn't be surprised that they're just finishing off the interior now.

Sadly the Streetlites can't have it fitted due to the design of the cab wall, with the TV screen incorporated etc means there just isn't the space to put the pictures on, shame as I love the idea.