It doesn't take long to replace a belt you know.

(03 Feb 2016, 8:54 pm)Malarkey wrote 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.

Surely a driver should have a mobile phone on them at all times when out on the road, given that it is the only method of contacting control, as Arriva don't have radios fitted to their buses?

(03 Feb 2016, 9:05 pm)Kuyoyo wrote It doesn't take long to replace a belt you know.

Not an Mechanical Engineer so I would therefore I have no idea.

(03 Feb 2016, 9:08 pm)Malarkey wrote Not an Mechanical Engineer so I would therefore I have no idea.

Can change the belts on a Pulsar in about half an hour.

(03 Feb 2016, 9:11 pm)tyresmoke wrote Can change the belts on a Pulsar in about half an hour.

Actually thought as the driver shouted the "Engine has gone", it was something quite major, as in had completely broke until I seen it was only the Belt which had snapped, even then I thought it something quite major which would take some time to fix, more than likely 1505 will be back in Service tomorrow no doubt, if it only takes half an hour to replace a Belt.

(03 Feb 2016, 8:54 pm)Malarkey wrote 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.

For gods sake. 

Might as well move 7415 to Ashington (Under Repair) as that had coolant leaking. 

7507 will also move to Ashington (Under Repair) to install A4 sized notice holders.

We've learned (and he has acknowledged) that he is not a mechanic and didn't realise that a belt would not take that long to repair. Get over it rather than making sarcastic comments.

Granted comms are essential at work but we have basic mobile phones allocated to every vehicle mainly as resiliance for the event of radio failure (airwave). Surprised as lone workers there is the expectation to rely on personal mobile phones.

Had a Streetlite on the X7 yesterday (didn't take the number sorry). There was an inspector on it and on the 16:57 X7 to Blyth. I wonder if they were doing some sort of driver training?

Have Belmont's e200s always had e-leather seating?

(04 Feb 2016, 12:43 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Have Belmont's e200s always had e-leather seating?

They have all the time they've been a Belmont. Think it may have had fabric before we got them.

i was speaking to a member of staff at blyth. he was saying there is a rumour that 1762/1791/1769 are due to go away for a tidy up. he said that 1102/1104/1105 are supposed to move on a temp basis. he did not mention a date so this could happen in the next week or next year.

(04 Feb 2016, 12:45 pm)Jimmi wrote They have all the time they've been a Belmont. Think it may have had fabric before we got them.

Getting forgetful in myold age 

Just hope arriva don't consider it to be good enough for Max seating for the incoming lowlanders.

Or is it alx400s? (See above)

(04 Feb 2016, 12:58 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Getting forgetful in myold age 

Just hope arriva don't consider it to be good enough for Max seating for the incoming lowlanders.

Or is it alx400s? (See above)

ALX400's is what we're getting.

(04 Feb 2016, 12:48 pm)buss14 wrote i was speaking to a member of staff at blyth. he was saying there is a rumour that 1762/1791/1769 are due to go away for a tidy up. he said that 1102/1104/1105 are supposed to move on a temp basis. he did not mention a date so this could happen in the next week or next year.

Hopefully not in the summer or Whitby will be short.

(03 Feb 2016, 9:07 pm)R852 PRG wrote Surely a driver should have a mobile phone on them at all times when out on the road, given that it is the only method of contacting control, as Arriva don't have radios fitted to their buses?

Arriva should provide them then.

(04 Feb 2016, 1:40 pm)Cock Robin wrote Hopefully not in the summer or Whitby will be short.

thats what i was asking him but he said that they will be loaning some buses from other depot

The disadvantage of phones is the sheer number of dead spots on their territory - even for basic old fashioned 2G

Given that the image at Whitby is somewhat better with the introduction and success of the BTL9'S shouldn't they perhaps be allocated a 'better' type of vehicle to cover the town service work and perhaps stand in for the non-availiabilty of the Streetlites. Didn't I read on here the other day that Dart 1105 had been covering an X4 duty ?  When I was last at Whitby the Solo's seemed to coping quite well around Sleights etc.

(04 Feb 2016, 1:59 pm)scania driver wrote Given that the image at Whitby is somewhat better with the introduction and success of the BTL9'S shouldn't they perhaps be allocated a 'better' type of vehicle to cover the town service work and perhaps stand in for the non-availiabilty of the Streetlites. Didn't I read on here the other day that Dart 1105 had been covering an X4 duty ?  When I was last at Whitby the Solo's seemed to coping quite well around Sleights etc.

Redcar and Whitby should have a spare Sapphire each but of course the spares always tend to be at Redcar and appearing on other routes!

They're not bad the 11xx. Still look smart inside and out.

(04 Feb 2016, 2:18 pm)Cock Robin wrote Redcar and Whitby should have a spare Sapphire each but of course the spares always tend to be at Redcar and appearing on other routes!

They're not bad the 11xx. Still look smart inside and out.

With you on that. Always been an admirer of the Dart, when there are in good condition. Remember, was it, 1743 that used to ply reasonably regularly across the moors on the X93 ? Now that was a journey.

ASHINGTON BUS STATION - CLOSURE
Sunday 7th February (00:00 until 23:59), Monday 8th February (00:00 until first bus)

Due to essential maintenance work to ensure the safe running of services through the bus station, the bus station will close all day Sunday until first bus on Monday. Alternative stopping places are as follows;
 
Service 1 to Cresswell: This service will stop outside Nisa, on Woodhorn Road
Service 1 to Blyth: This service will stop outside Sports Direct, on Woodhorn Road
Service X21 to Newbiggin: This service will stop outside Nisa, on Woodhorn Road
Service X21 to Newcastle: This service will stop outside Sports Direct, on Woodhorn Road
Service X22 to Newcastle: This service will depart at its usual stop, Stand A, in the bus station
Service 35 to Newbiggin: This service will stop outside Nisa, on Woodhorn Road
Service 35 to Morpeth: This service will depart at its usual stop, outside Sports Direct, on Woodhorn Road

7608 now has a MAX X9 livery rather than its previous MAX X10/X11 one. The X9 number has been added to the sides next to Blyth-Cramlington-Newcastle but the X10/X11 numbering has been taken off the rear with no replacement.

(04 Feb 2016, 2:24 pm)scania driver wrote With you on that. Always been an admirer of the Dart, when there are in good condition. Remember, was it, 1743 that used to ply reasonably regularly across the moors on the X93 ? Now that was a journey.

1757 was the worst, with the Urban 90 seats! No worse than a Temsa I suppose!

travelling on 1757 with plastic seats flat over the moors to Whitby take a cushion or you could wind up a numb ass and walking like John Wayne ?

(04 Feb 2016, 4:24 pm)GX03 SVC wrote ASHINGTON BUS STATION - CLOSURE
Sunday 7th February (00:00 until 23:59), Monday 8th February (00:00 until first bus)

Due to essential maintenance work to ensure the safe running of services through the bus station, the bus station will close all day Sunday until first bus on Monday. Alternative stopping places are as follows;
 
Service 1 to Cresswell: This service will stop outside Nisa, on Woodhorn Road
Service 1 to Blyth: This service will stop outside Sports Direct, on Woodhorn Road
Service X21 to Newbiggin: This service will stop outside Nisa, on Woodhorn Road
Service X21 to Newcastle: This service will stop outside Sports Direct, on Woodhorn Road
Service X22 to Newcastle: This service will depart at its usual stop, Stand A, in the bus station
Service 35 to Newbiggin: This service will stop outside Nisa, on Woodhorn Road
Service 35 to Morpeth: This service will depart at its usual stop, outside Sports Direct, on Woodhorn Road

How can the X22 serve the bus station when no other bus can? Makes no sense...

(04 Feb 2016, 8:04 pm)mb134 wrote How can the X22 serve the bus station when no other bus can? Makes no sense...

The X22 will turn in the bus station, leaving 'wrong way' past stands D and E. The X21 doesn't have time to do that of course.

(04 Feb 2016, 8:29 pm)GX03 SVC wrote The X22 will turn in the bus station, leaving 'wrong way' past stands D and E. The X21 doesn't have time to do that of course.

Is there the correct traffic lighting on the exit to leave that way?

Doesn't seem too safe at all to me... Can a double decker even turn in that space?

(04 Feb 2016, 10:01 pm)mb134 wrote Is there the correct traffic lighting on the exit to leave that way?

Doesn't seem too safe at all to me... Can a double decker even turn in that space?

A leading driver will supervise the manoeuvre, and will also guide the bus onto Lintonville Terrace, as the temporary exit is not signal controlled.

(04 Feb 2016, 2:18 pm)Cock Robin wrote Redcar and Whitby should have a spare Sapphire each but of course the spares always tend to be at Redcar and appearing on other routes!

They're not bad the 11xx. Still look smart inside and out.

Arguably much smarter than the 08 plate Solos in their current state.