It's acceptable this time of night to be honest, maybe not the journeys that are 20+ late, but with rush hour traffic, I'd expect my bus to be late if it's coming from /in Newcastle, absolute nightmare to get out of.
I'm a bit surprised as well, especially as Arrivas excuse for not getting them in 7522-8 was "the refurbished examples won't have them" (or words to that effect)
RE: Arriva North East: Latest News & Discussion - March 2015