Arriva North East: Latest News & Discussion - February 2016

I made my first attempt to use the X12 south bound this afternoon, since they've scrapped the shuttle and routed back through the Interchange.

Unfortunately the driver had other ideas, and bypassed the Interchange anyway, as I could see the Gemini running past on the A184 towards Prince Consort Road.

Great to see that internal communication is alive and kicking.

One of 4654/8 was on the X75/6 today but it hadn't been Max'ed!

(01 Feb 2016, 4:45 pm)Adrian wrote I made my first attempt to use the X12 south bound this afternoon, since they've scrapped the shuttle and routed back through the Interchange.

Unfortunately the driver had other ideas, and bypassed the Interchange anyway, as I could see the Gemini running past on the A184 towards Prince Consort Road.

Great to see that internal communication is alive and kicking.

Unbelievable!

(01 Feb 2016, 4:45 pm)Adrian wrote I made my first attempt to use the X12 south bound this afternoon, since they've scrapped the shuttle and routed back through the Interchange.

Unfortunately the driver had other ideas, and bypassed the Interchange anyway, as I could see the Gemini running past on the A184 towards Prince Consort Road.

Great to see that internal communication is alive and kicking.

I used it this morning. Half the bus got off at Low Fell. Presumably waiting for the shuttle. 

Got stuck for ages on Prince consort roundabout too

(01 Feb 2016, 9:08 pm)Lee Sinclair wrote Does anyone know why 1426 whines so much?

The turbo has probably gone.

(01 Feb 2016, 9:08 pm)Lee Sinclair wrote Does anyone know why 1426 whines so much?

Don't most of the 09 reg Pulsar's sound whiney?

1424 sounded rather strange when I had it on the X75 a few weeks ago.

(01 Feb 2016, 9:32 pm)Lee Sinclair wrote No mate, the other '09 reg Pulsar's just seem to rattle an awful lot when they are not moving. 1426 sounds totally different from the rest to me. 

Aye, most of Darlington's 09 reg examples idle like hell when stationary.

Don't think I've had 1426 in a while, may try and sample it again at some point.

(01 Feb 2016, 9:14 pm)Jimmi wrote Don't most of the 09 reg Pulsar's sound whiney?

1424 sounded rather strange when I had it on the X75 a few weeks ago.

1424 still sounding rough then? Has been for s couple of months, think it's because they've changed the gear box (used to be 1/2/3/D/N/R and now it's just D/N/R)

(01 Feb 2016, 10:32 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote 1424 still sounding rough then? Has been for s couple of months, think it's because they've changed the gear box (used to be 1/2/3/D/N/R and now it's just D/N/R)

I rode it on December 23rd between Darlington and Staindrop, don't think I've seen it since then though so I'm unsure whether it will still sound as rough as it did that day.

(01 Feb 2016, 7:30 pm)Ambassador wrote I used it this morning. Half the bus got off at Low Fell. Presumably waiting for the shuttle. 

Got stuck for ages on Prince consort roundabout too

Notice saying the shuttle's running still up in M'bro bus station.

(02 Feb 2016, 10:05 am)Cock Robin wrote Notice saying the shuttle's running still up in M'bro bus station.

So external communication let alone internal is alive and kicking then.......

(02 Feb 2016, 9:35 am)Lee Sinclair wrote Really mate?

I reckon it has one of the most powerful kickdowns in the fleet.

7518's turbo went and it's been making a loud whining noise. I believe it's fixed now as I saw 7518 today and it wasn't whining.

(02 Feb 2016, 10:05 am)Cock Robin wrote Notice saying the shuttle's running still up in M'bro bus station.

(02 Feb 2016, 10:16 am)citaro5284 wrote So external communication let alone internal is alive and kicking then.......

As this has come at really short notice, and has only been advertised on the Facebook page, I'd dread to think if someone has actually been bothered to replace the staff notices etc. 

1764 is still at Jesmond.

(02 Feb 2016, 11:07 am)GX03 SVC wrote As this has come at really short notice, and has only been advertised on the Facebook page, I'd dread to think if someone has actually been bothered to replace the staff notices etc. 

1764 is still at Jesmond.

At least they actually mentioned it on Facebook this time, was no mention on social media when the shuttle started.

One of the Sapphire 22 streetlites has just limped past, about 25 minutes late, heading for Durham. Did not sound well at all.

And I wasn't imagining things. It's been replaced by something not a streetlite.

(02 Feb 2016, 11:09 am)Jimmi wrote At least they actually mentioned it on Facebook this time, was no mention on social media when the shuttle started.

The driver actually stopped people getting off at Low Fell this morning to his credit. The notice was still up inside the bus.

7410 and 7411 have received Quick Links into Newcastle branding.

(02 Feb 2016, 8:13 pm)GX03 SVC wrote 7410 and 7411 have received Quick Links into Newcastle branding.

7411: https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/2440...ateposted/

Not sure if it has been mentioned but 1764 (NK05 GWC) has returned to Ashington Depot, was seen this afternoon on the X16.

[attachment=7571]

(02 Feb 2016, 8:34 pm)Malarkey wrote Not sure if it has been mentioned but 1764 (NK05 GWC) has returned to Ashington Depot, was seen this afternoon on the X16.

As it was on service X16, that means it won't have returned to Ashington depot, as Jesmond depot operate service X16.

(02 Feb 2016, 8:36 pm)Jimmi wrote As it was on service X16, that means it won't have returned to Ashington depot, as Jesmond depot operate service X16.

Shows how much I know about Arriva Services, would also explain why I have seen a Nexus Solo on there a few times in passing.

4658 is on X75/X76 and is now in MAX base livery, it's on the delayed 13:08 X76

(02 Feb 2016, 10:16 am)citaro5284 wrote So external communication let alone internal is alive and kicking then.......

Every MAX Gemini at Durham depot has had notices on it from Saturday displayed notifying passengers of the change of route.  There are also notices in both the canteen and the depot to advise drivers - there's no excuse for anyone doing the wrong route - especially since there are maps stapled to all of the RTCs.  Short of phoning every driver, I'm not sure what more the company could have done.

(03 Feb 2016, 1:50 pm)palatine3833 wrote Every MAX Gemini at Durham depot has had notices on it from Saturday displayed notifying passengers of the change of route.  There are also notices in both the canteen and the depot to advise drivers - there's no excuse for anyone doing the wrong route - especially since there are maps stapled to all of the RTCs.  Short of phoning every driver, I'm not sure what more the company could have done.

Least sufficient comms have went out at the depot then thankfully. It obviously doesn't account for someone not bothering to read them mind, as I experienced on Monday.

£6.30 lighter because someone couldn't be arsed to read the comms that have went out.

4658 back in service today following MAX refurbishment.
Arriva North East: 4658 / NK05GXN by Jimmi's Transport Photos, on Flickr

(03 Feb 2016, 3:56 pm)Adrian wrote Least sufficient comms have went out at the depot then thankfully. It obviously doesn't account for someone not bothering to read them mind, as I experienced on Monday.

£6.30 lighter because someone couldn't be arsed to read the comms that have went out.

I was on holiday in Blackpool a few years back and I heard a Blackpool Transport driver say "I only read the noticeboard as I was bored"

Says it all really!

(03 Feb 2016, 4:26 pm)Jimmi wrote I was on holiday in Blackpool a few years back and I heard a Blackpool Transport driver say "I only read the noticeboard as I was bored"

Says it all really!

Let's not pretend that this is an issue unique to transport workers though. I've often went to lengths to explain something in email, only to have the same colleague ring or text me asking what the crack is, having not bothered to read the email.

Just provide a quick update to the Arriva Fleetlist, sure an announcement will occur in the coming days with this information.

Arriva MAX VDL SB200 Wright Pulsar (1505) NK12 FLW, needs to be updated with moving from Blyth to Blyth (Under Repair), as this evening while on route through South Gosforth on the X8 into Newcastle the Engine Belt snapped, I imagine something like would take some time to repair.

Furthermore good ole Malarkey himself provided the Driver with assistance in phoning Blyth Depot to report the Breakdown, by giving him my phone as he had left his on charge in his car, I would also advise that all Arriva Buses should have Radios fitted onboard the Bus so that Drivers can communicate with the Depot, as took the Driver more than 10 attempts on 3 different mobile numbers which he had on him on a piece of card, which had a number on for each depot in the North East Division.