(07 Feb 2015, 8:16 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I just can't understand why Arriva can't allocate the correct vehicles most of the time. Is it because:

- Some routes aren't timed correctly?
- Are suitable vehicles not being purchased for the according routes?
- Are Arriva not investing in replacing worn and torn vehicles (i.e 7501-7513 ex7510) on premium services that are constantly breaking down?
- Or can they simply not be bothered?

Think the reason in bold is the main reason for Blyth's allocations going wrong! Even at noon on a Saturday, there seemed to be some dreadful delays to services into and out of Blyth. They only had two spare buses (1402 and a MAX Gemini) and the latter was sat spare and ended up replacing a Volvo Hybrid on the 308 eventually.

I think there was two Pulsars on the Quorum Express alongside 7607 (in corporate livery - but the old Quorum Express branding on the windows was still visible) while Quorum Commander 1402 had been allocated to the 1 and a Quorum Gemini on the 308. There was a Volvo Hybrid and MAX Gemini on the Quorum Express today too.

Great that most services leave Blyth on-time, but that does nothing for the customers in Newcastle who are hit with a delay or those who are travelling into Blyth. Nor does it do anything for those on the X10/X11 who end up without their bus with leather seats and Wi-Fi..!