I've heard a few "comments" about Redcars engineering team and can agree, could be interesting to be a fly on the wall at ' roll out' some mornings? To give them some credit though they can only do what they can with what they've got (vehicles) and given (budget) I did hear once, don't know how reliable this mind, that Stocktons budget was far superior to Redcars in terms of engineering?
With regard to the running times I can go along with all you say; the first few days after the changes we had 5/5a drivers laying over in various laybys, running card in hand but now whilst this still happens some services seem to get well down on time? Maybe it's due to the loadings as you say? Guess we'll never get perfection?
RE: Arriva North East - Rare and Odd Workings