(17 Mar 2015, 10:48 pm)davis wrote from experience I would like to point out the problem with the enviros at ashington. they have ALL been fitted with this new restrictive throttle control called econospeed. It is designed to replicate the acceleration of a careful eco driver. on the 64 plates (haven't drove any 14 plates, but I assume they are the same) the system was factory fitted, the bus is slower than normal in accelerating, and similar to how the 57 plates used to run when in d rate mode. however, the refurbs were fitted at that time, and the bus will NOT accelerate downhill. it is as if the only force is gravity pulling you down. on flat and uphill it is slightly better, but still painfully slow. however Arriva report a 10% reduction in fuel usage on these vehicles, which considering the lack of passengers compared to expected growth, they really cant afford to change. And yes there are certain drivers who will not try and keep to time and never have, and they now have a perfect excuse. driving style doesn't really come into it, if you are heavy footed and try to push the bus, the econospeed system slows you down.

if you ever see one alongside a stagecoach version pulling up at hancock museum, you can clearly see the difference. stagecoach ones leave arriva for dead.