They have had a Scarlet Band Optare Solo on the Chester Town service today. I have passed him a few times the last at 14:25 when he was passing the Lambton Worm on a 702. 
If the minibus is now on I assume there must have been a breakdown. I hope the minibus was not sent on to the afternoon school run.

Was it not on the 726?

It was outside of Chester Depot at approx 1545 - not sure if you can work out if it was actually on Chester town services from that or if it just had "TOWN SERVICE" on the destination while kicking about Chester.

Was it not on the 726?

726 is Durham County Council and I think it only operates Tuesdays and Fridays.

The solo was parked in the chester moor (northbound) stop about 1.20pm. Just looked at the timetables, bus operates a scholars 876 to pelton fell for 15.41 then onto a 703 from chester black horse at 15.49, i'd think the links bus just happened to be in the chester area.

Now that I think about it, chances are it may have been just knocking about Chester rather than operating the 700/1/2/3 as I often used to see these pottering around places with the display set to things like "Local Service 4"

Can't think straight with being ill all day.

Update on Chester le Street Town Service from this afternoon. The Solo and driver that I passed earlier today was still out at 17:10 on a 701 the bus was YJ55YGH.

Scarlet Band have "Our Bus" Solo MX55WCZ on the 16/16A again today.

An unusual working from Scarlet Band today was YT51EAW 'The Pink Bus' on service 110.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/127079988@...052378296/

Wonder if there is something up with this Solo as it seems like it has been missing from the 16/16A a lot over the last few weeks.

16/16A had YT51EAY instead today.

Just seen a Scarlet Band Solo do a three point turn (think thats the correct term) on Spennymoor High Street.

This is just idiotic and downright dangerous especially with the X21 to Bishop Auckland being on the stand at the time.

It wasn't because some cretin had parked on the roundabout near the library as they often do so the bus couldn't turn there?? But if it's on the buses only bit I can't see any problem in turning a Solo there if necessary.

It wasn't because some cretin had parked on the roundabout near the library as they often do so the bus couldn't turn there?? But if it's on the buses only bit I can't see any problem in turning a Solo there if necessary.

Not ideal though, especially as the X21 wanted to be on the stand where it was reversing at the time.

Their's a Enviro 200 now in scarlat band colours  

Yeah its MX10KNW - sure looks smart!

Yeah its MX10KNW - sure looks smart!

Let's hope the rest get done soon, along with the two 06 reg Solos (one of them was on the 113 this afternoon).

Enviro 200 MX10KNV on PR1.

MX10 KNW for those that haven't seen it:

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seen it on the 58 Durham - Hartlepool don't if its a regular or a one off

seen it on the 58 Durham - Hartlepool don't if its a regular or a one off

E200s are allocated to the 58 i think so it may be a regular.

E200s are allocated to the 58 i think so it may be a regular.

Yep, 58 is allocated Enviro 200's.

They can appear on other routes as well often recently on Barney services and on weekdays the 110/111/112.

Due to resurfacing works peak time service 16A will be unable to serve the route between West Park and Newton Aycliffe so will only operate between Darlington Town Centre and West Park Hospital.

More info about Burtree Gate and Heighington diversion for the 16A and Arriva 1/1B/X1.
http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1293...surfacing/

Due to resurfacing works peak time service 16A will be unable to serve the route between West Park and Newton Aycliffe so will only operate between Darlington Town Centre and West Park Hospital.

More info about Burtree Gate and Heighington diversion for the 16A and Arriva 1/1B/X1.
http://m.thenorthernecho.co.uk/news/1293...surfacing/

It appears this isn't the case as I saw the 16A in Newton Aycliffe tonight.

To me it seems like the 16/16A will continue beyond June given that no cancellation registration has appeared on on VOSA. Also I saw a notice on YT51EAY on the 113 saying that the fares have increased from April 20th on service 16 which said they felt they had to do this due to the running costs etc. we hope you continue to use our reliable popular service.

At least it appears that the 16/16A has a future?

Additionally there has been fare revisions on services 110, 111, 112, 113 and X49 and I think it gave the same reasons as above.

Does the 58 definitely only serve Hutton Henry when going to Durham?

Does the 58 definitely only serve Hutton Henry when going to Durham?

Yes, can't serve Hutton Henry Hartlepool bound due the service won't be able to get out of Hutton Henry onto a19 southbound due to having to go right across the carriageway of northbound traffic, the bus would be sitting up to half an hour to try and get out.

Yes, can't serve Hutton Henry Hartlepool bound due the service won't be able to get out of Hutton Henry onto a19 southbound due to having to go right across the carriageway of northbound traffic, the bus would be sitting up to half an hour to try and get out.

Ah right cheers for that

When Jayline had the 211 the used to turn left northbound on the A19 to Wellfield interchange then go south on the A19 to be able to accommodate Hutton Henry after a while the loop was cancelled due too time.

Driver currently on the 33 got out for a tab at Ferryhill and just told us to get on and ended up blowing smoke into the bus. Also he is driving with headphones in listening to something on his phone which I think is illegal.

Not happy about this.

EDIT: I may be wrong but he appears to be speaking to someone on the phone.

Driver currently on the 33 got out for a tab at Ferryhill and just told us to get on and ended up blowing smoke into the bus. Also he is driving with headphones in listening to something on his phone which I think is illegal.

Not happy about this.

EDIT: I may be wrong but he appears to be speaking to someone on the phone.

Happy days from yesteryear [emoji33]

Driver currently on the 33 got out for a tab at Ferryhill and just told us to get on and ended up blowing smoke into the bus. Also he is driving with headphones in listening to something on his phone which I think is illegal.

Not happy about this.

EDIT: I may be wrong but he appears to be speaking to someone on the phone.

Not sure about the legality of it, but id ask how a passenger would alert the driver of an emergency, if the driver can't hear for music?

I do remember a bloke that used to drive the X85 years ago, and he'd often have his boom box on some of the quieter evening runs. Those were the days!

Not sure about the legality of it, but id ask how a passenger would alert the driver of an emergency, if the driver can't hear for music?

I do remember a bloke that used to drive the X85 years ago, and he'd often have his boom box on some of the quieter evening runs. Those were the days!

He didn't seem to be totally focused on the road at points and changed the destination screen whilst the bus was in motion which on this particular Solo was practically on the roof so to get the destination he must not have been totally focused at this point. Not the first time I've seen this, saw the driver on the 16A one night changing the roller blind to Sorry Not In Service whilst driving down Burnhill Way. Also sure the driver in question missed the last 4 stops of the 16A route out on Monday evening as I saw it at Rushyford and considering the time I saw it and the direction it came from there is no way he went down Burn Lane and Central Avenue and terminate at St Clares Church.

Funny you say about drivers blasting music out, got on the JSB Travel 116 one afternoon and the driver was blasting out some Clubland style tunes which I didn't enjoy and the old biddys probably didn't either.