2 more Enviro 400s arriving tomorrow to help bolster the double deck allocation whilst these Volvo B7TLs are sorted out. I am told some are going back to Ashington to be run in properly. Might have been a good idea in the first place but hey what do we know, still they seem to have done alright on the 81....

Well put it this way, what they should is this:
- Despite the engine on the DB300 being the same as the E400 and the DB300 not being the most ideal bus, the lighter bodywork will make up for the small engine. I've travelled on the DB300 before and despite it not being the best bus, the ISBe engine is better in the DB300 due to the lower bodyweight and it's not as reliant on the turbochargers compared to the E400. Here's my idea to swap 7501 to 04 and 7512 and 13 with six Quorum DB300's.

Vosa update today
Is the X16 a new service or is it an ammended route of one of the normal Berwick boards.What is the PVR & which depot will be its home?

Vosa update today
Is the X16 a new service or is it an ammended route of one of the normal Berwick boards.What is the PVR & which depot will be its home?

Summer service from Belford only stopping at Gosforth, Regent Centre, Morpeth, Alnwick then all stops to Belford. It'll be one Prima, operated by Ashington.

Summer service from Belford only stopping at Gosforth, Regent Centre, Morpeth, Alnwick then all stops to Belford. It'll be one Prima, operated by Ashington.

Operated by Jesmond this summer, probably with a Scania Omnicity.

Ok an update on the current situation for you all

Current Fleet updates
Reserve DAF 4045 has turned up in service at Jesmond following withdrawal (finally) by Stockton. Redcar DAF 4091 has been sent to Jesmond for review of some problem. 4068 has also transferred north but unsure where it has gone yet, possibly Blyth. All as a result of Volvo B7TLs arriving at Redcar. 7484/5/9/94 have so far arrived at Redcar, of which only 7489 is yet to enter service. ADL Enviro 400s 7508/11 are due to migrate south to Whitby over this weekend to provide extra double deck capacity for the Easter holidays whilst some B7s return to Ashington to have issues ironed out. Talking of Ashington, they now have the use of 7487.
Optare Solo 2503 was returned to Classic who have fitted it with a new engine, it is now back at Jesmond. DAF decker 7458 has been repainted for use at Jesmond.
Mini Dart 1711 is repainted as part of a 'float' fleet for later in the year to cover refurbishments, which will also include various Darts and probably a handful of double deck vehicles too.

Expected to be withdrawn (eventually, following refurbishment programs etc) as a result of new arrivals are:
MPDs below 1758
Darts 1611-1656
DAFs 7459-64
Tridents 7432-5

New Fleet
Changes to the known order sees the VDL Pulsars for the 306 become Streetlite "micro-hybrids", along with 2(?) for service 35 at Ashington and the 5 at Durham for service 23.
ADL Enviro 400s confirmed for Ashington service X18
Total orders now
Streetlite
Redcar x14 - service 4/X4 "Sapphire"
Stockton x10 - service 5/5a "Sapphire"
Streetlite "Micro-hybrid"
Jesmond x8 - service 306
Ashington x2 - service 35/35a
Durham x5 - service 23
ADL Enviro 400
Ashington x6 - service X18 "Max"
Ashington x6 - service X21/X22 "Sapphire"

Sapphire 2014
Alongside the new vehicles on order (as above), 8 ADL Enviro 400 (believed to be 7514-21) will be refurbished to be used on service X21/X22 at Ashington depot.

Introducing... Arriva Max
Max will be our new brand for express services, to be launched later in 2014. It will offer an upgraded specification for interurban services with free wi-fi and e-leather seating, so one step down from our "Sapphire" services but still upgraded. The North East will be the first to launch this in the UK group.

Services to be included in 2014 are:
- X10/X11 from Ashington... Refurbished VDL Gemini
- X14 from Ashington... Refurbished ADL Enviro 400
- X15 from Ashington... Refurbished coaches (believed to be transfers from GreenLine, those 55 plate Van Hools for example are heavily rumoured)
- X18 from Ashington... 6 new ADL Enviro 400
- X26/X27 from Darlington... Refurbished Scania Omnicity
- X66 from Darlington... Refurbished Scania Omnicity
Further Max services are expected to be announced for 2015.

Operated by Jesmond this summer, probably with a Scania Omnicity.

Oooh! That'll be nice

The new ''Max'' for those services sounds fantastic, I think the X15/X18 deserves the wi-fi. Now, if the X14 is getting ''Max'' will the ones with interworking at Morpeth onto the 33/57A still be darts?

Sounds good, but surprised there's no changes for the Pulsars on the X1/X2. Needs to go 100% deckers ASAP in my opinion.

The new ''Max'' for those services sounds fantastic, I think the X15/X18 deserves the wi-fi. Now, if the X14 is getting ''Max'' will the ones with interworking at Morpeth onto the 33/57A still be darts?

That's a question I want answering too. They could of course just drop the short ones out onto a separate service and therefore the long ones would be Max and the short ones could be "X41" or something and therefore not included. Need to ask a few questions!

Sounds good, but surprised there's no changes for the Pulsars on the X1/X2. Needs to go 100% deckers ASAP in my opinion.

Unfortunately Stockton depot is unable to have double decks allocated so unless you transferred the entire operation to Durham, it will have to remain a split allocation.

Sounds good, but surprised there's no changes for the Pulsars on the X1/X2. Needs to go 100% deckers ASAP in my opinion.

I had a suggestion that 7607/7609/7610 go to Stockton from Blyth to make the X1/X2 fully deckers, and then 1441/42/43 go from Stockton to Blyth to make the X13 fully Pulsar operational?

I had a suggestion that 7607/7609/7610 go to Stockton from Blyth to make the X1/X2 fully deckers, and then 1441/42/43 go from Stockton to Blyth to make the X13 fully Pulsar operational?

I'm sure we've said this many times - Stockton cannot have an allocation of deckers as they can't maintain them. Pulsars at Stockton are required anyway - there's been previous mentions that the 17 group may be upgraded to Pulsars later this year.

I'm sure we've said this many times - Stockton cannot have an allocation of deckers as they can't maintain them. Pulsars at Stockton are required anyway - there's been previous mentions that the 17 group may be upgraded to Pulsars later this year.

Well if thats the case, can't the whole operation not go to Belmont with some timetable amendments?

Well if thats the case, can't the whole operation not go to Belmont with some timetable amendments?

You could however I'm not sure you could change the timetable too much. Besides I think they will wait until the university contract is renewed next year to do any timetable changes.

Suppose the other solution would be to increase the frequency on the X1 part of the route, as that's what gets busy. Can be a nightmare trying to get off a full pulsar on the X1 most evenings.

Looking forward to Service X66 being part of Max branding, its good that this service will have WiFi once again.

Wonder what they will do on Sundays as the X66 interworks with Service 5A

Looking forward to Service X66 being part of Max branding, its good that this service will have WiFi once again.

Wonder what they will do on Sundays as the X66 interworks with Service 5A

It'll be Sapphire then?

It'll be Sapphire then?

No Tom, Darlington's 5A to Bishop Auckland. I don't think there will be an issue with Max though, whereas Sapphire is more of an exclusive brand.

Stockton have the issue with Sunday service 5 (Sapphire) trips but like Darlington's 7, they will likely be split off and do nothing else.

No Tom, Darlington's 5A to Bishop Auckland. I don't think there will be an issue with Max though, whereas Sapphire is more of an exclusive brand.

Stockton have the issue with Sunday service 5 (Sapphire) trips but like Darlington's 7, they will likely be split off and do nothing else.

Oh right sorry.

Wonder if the Darlington evening and Sunday Service 26A will use Max branded Omnicitys. If so, the 26A could interwork with Service X66 on Sundays.

Be good to see - sorry to keep on - the issues on our X93 resolved and then upgraded to "Max", really think Arriva are missing a trick here, unless there is something I don't know? Must assume (and hope) that Ashington must be so equipped to deal with the issues that seem to be blighting our B7TL's?

One must assume that once the "Max" routes come into being there will be a change round in fleet, particularly the Ommis needed to cover the Darlington duties?

Is a variation of the 93 going via Skelton this summer?

Ok an update on the current situation for you all

Current Fleet updates
Reserve DAF 4045 has turned up in service at Jesmond following withdrawal (finally) by Stockton. Redcar DAF 4091 has been sent to Jesmond for review of some problem. 4068 has also transferred north but unsure where it has gone yet, possibly Blyth. All as a result of Volvo B7TLs arriving at Redcar. 7484/5/9/94 have so far arrived at Redcar, of which only 7489 is yet to enter service. ADL Enviro 400s 7508/11 are due to migrate south to Whitby over this weekend to provide extra double deck capacity for the Easter holidays whilst some B7s return to Ashington to have issues ironed out. Talking of Ashington, they now have the use of 7487.
Optare Solo 2503 was returned to Classic who have fitted it with a new engine, it is now back at Jesmond. DAF decker 7458 has been repainted for use at Jesmond.
Mini Dart 1711 is repainted as part of a 'float' fleet for later in the year to cover refurbishments, which will also include various Darts and probably a handful of double deck vehicles too.

Expected to be withdrawn (eventually, following refurbishment programs etc) as a result of new arrivals are:
MPDs below 1758
Darts 1611-1656
DAFs 7459-64
Tridents 7432-5

New Fleet
Changes to the known order sees the VDL Pulsars for the 306 become Streetlite "micro-hybrids", along with 2(?) for service 35 at Ashington and the 5 at Durham for service 23.
ADL Enviro 400s confirmed for Ashington service X18
Total orders now
Streetlite
Redcar x14 - service 4/X4 "Sapphire"
Stockton x10 - service 5/5a "Sapphire"
Streetlite "Micro-hybrid"
Jesmond x8 - service 306
Ashington x2 - service 35/35a
Durham x5 - service 23
ADL Enviro 400
Ashington x6 - service X18 "Max"
Ashington x6 - service X21/X22 "Sapphire"

Sapphire 2014
Alongside the new vehicles on order (as above), 8 ADL Enviro 400 (believed to be 7514-21) will be refurbished to be used on service X21/X22 at Ashington depot.

Introducing... Arriva Max
Max will be our new brand for express services, to be launched later in 2014. It will offer an upgraded specification for interurban services with free wi-fi and e-leather seating, so one step down from our "Sapphire" services but still upgraded. The North East will be the first to launch this in the UK group.

Services to be included in 2014 are:
- X10/X11 from Ashington... Refurbished VDL Gemini
- X14 from Ashington... Refurbished ADL Enviro 400
- X15 from Ashington... Refurbished coaches (believed to be transfers from GreenLine, those 55 plate Van Hools for example are heavily rumoured)
- X18 from Ashington... 6 new ADL Enviro 400
- X26/X27 from Darlington... Refurbished Scania Omnicity
- X66 from Darlington... Refurbished Scania Omnicity
Further Max services are expected to be announced for 2015.

I'd say that even though on paper the Streelite order for the 306 seems to be ridiculous, in another sense, it's actually a good idea if they go for the Streetlite Max. The seating capacity is very similar to the Pulsar 2 and the bodywork being smaller, then so will the fuel cost. Finally, despite the fact that the 308 timetable was changed and an extra bus was allocated, Arriva could simply revert back to the May 2010 change of keeping the 306 on the Coast Road if more changes were needed and instead of there being a 10 minute gap between the 306 and 308, there would only be a 7 minute gap between the 2 therefore helping the 308 out. Also, despite the small revenue loss of keeping it on the Coast Road, the better fuel economy would make up for the losses by not serving Battle Hill Drive and hopefully, reducing journey times on both the 306 and 308.

The variation to the x93 this year is that they are going to do end to end journeys without breaking down! An enhanced service? Lets see what happens.

The variation to the x93 this year is that they are going to do end to end journeys without breaking down! An enhanced service? Lets see what happens.

With reference to the technical points about the DB300 that I made, the only way that could be achieved without very few breakdowns is by swapping 7501 to 7504 and 7512 and 7513 with 7601 to 7606 (tachos would need fitting though).

Part of the problem during last years peak season operation on the X93 seemed to be the demanding timetable, over a challenging route. Drivers were having to punish their vehicles just in order to keep some sort of time. The classic example of this was allowing something like 5 minutes between trips at MBS? How anyone a full bus, even a single Decker, to be disembarked and re-loaded wanted to have a go at it! Then allow for the drivers "comfort" and you'll see what I mean. Then there was the issue of timings on the route? I understand there was just under an hour allowed between Whitby and Scarborough? Challenging by car but just how was this possible taking a large vehicle into and out of Robin Hoods Bay/Fylingthorpe, vehicles (the E400's) that often struggled with the climbs into and out of said villages; of course you then need to factor in the issues of off-loading and loading passengers, not only at MBS but Scarborough and Whitby.
That's just a part of it? What about traffic conditions and accidents along the tour? Whitby to M'bro isn't so bad but I don't see an alternative on the Scarborough section?
OK we live in a world of economic necessity and what have you and can understand, in part, how Arriva planned, operated and tried to manage the route but the bottom line is that it cost them money in lost revenue through disgruntled passengers and what must have been exacerbated running costs in terms of keeping the vehicles on the road? I hope they have listened and that the "enhanced" timetable due to start shortly reflects this.

Surprised not to see Darlington X1 on Scott's Max upgrade list It uses the four oldest Pulsars in the old livery plus 1493,would be ideal to give 1404 to 1407 a mid life up grade plus another older Pulsar instead of 1493 which is branded with contravision Could bring 1409 from Durham

Anyone know when 7601 is going to re-gain its "Quorum Express" branding? I can't believe it's been without branding now since August 2013 - when it was given a full repaint following accident damage.

Anyone know when 7601 is going to re-gain its "Quorum Express" branding? I can't believe it's been without branding now since August 2013 - when it was given a full repaint following accident damage.

When it is allocated to the 308's.....

Anyone know when 7601 is going to re-gain its "Quorum Express" branding? I can't believe it's been without branding now since August 2013 - when it was given a full repaint following accident damage.

What happened to 7601 with regards to the accident?