(24 Jul 2016, 3:58 pm)S813 FVK wrote As said yesterday in the Rare & Odd Workings thread, 7418 was on the 6 that ran onto the X12 yesterday:

ARRIVA NORTH EAST 7418 LJ55BTV IS SEEN IN DURHAM ON 23 JULY 2016 by Ken Weaver, on Flickr

I only found this particularly noteworthy because I see it's front bumper has been repainted into the lighter shade of blue to allow the 'follow through' since it isn't completely cut off by the swoosh.

7421 has been done in the same style as well. I think this looks slightly better than having the light blue disappear on the sides of the bus.

(23 Jul 2016, 2:53 pm)palatine3833 wrote I think you'll find that DiagTest actually use the same facility as Arriva. since Sapphire vehicles are parked in the same unit as DiagTest on an evening.

Compass have a few old minibuses parked at DiagTest, as well as the preserved Economic vehicle. Just because Arriva park in there too, doesn't mean they're part of the same depot. Unit 4 is reportedly used by the Metrocentre to store things, does that mean those things are Arriva's too? In summary; Units 1-3 are Arriva, Units 4 and 5 are not.

And some people complain about GNE paintwork.......Arriva cannot even paint the same type of buses the same, just remember people in glass houses should not throw stones

(24 Jul 2016, 5:10 pm)citaro5284 wrote And some people complain about GNE paintwork.......Arriva cannot even paint the same type of buses the same, just remember people in glass houses should not throw stones

Glad you posted, as it would not be seen through rose tinted spectacles. 

I actually prefer it without the blue bumper, if I'm honest.

(24 Jul 2016, 5:07 pm)R852 PRG wrote Compass have a few old minibuses parked at DiagTest, as well as the preserved Economic vehicle. Just because Arriva park in there too, doesn't mean they're part of the same depot. Unit 4 is reportedly used by the Metrocentre to store things, does that mean those things are Arriva's too? In summary; Units 1-3 are Arriva, Units 4 and 5 are not.

When I checked to see who had unit 4, I noticed it was up to let.

(24 Jul 2016, 5:17 pm)Adrian wrote Glad you posted, as it would not be seen through rose tinted spectacles. 

I actually prefer it without the blue bumper, if I'm honest.

I prefer the old look of All over Dark Blue on the front tbh, Makes it look sporty like which fits in with the speed of the routes these Volvo's will be running on  

I followed 2602 heading NIS to the Great Park A1 roundabout on Saturday night. Presumably heading to Thornton's or Ashington depot for storage, as I'm told it's now being prepared for disposal.

(24 Jul 2016, 5:10 pm)citaro5284 wrote And some people complain about GNE paintwork.......Arriva cannot even paint the same type of buses the same, just remember people in glass houses should not throw stones

Ain't Arriva who painted them 

Every bus that returns from Thorntons has something different about it, whether it be a different paint job or the seats have been painted the wrong colour... 

(25 Jul 2016, 1:56 am)GX03 SVC wrote Ain't Arriva who painted them 

Every bus that returns from Thorntons has something different about it, whether it be a different paint job or the seats have been painted the wrong colour... 

Maybe not Arriva, but they are the customer and if it is different on loads of buses, Thorntons should be told about it.

(25 Jul 2016, 1:54 am)GX03 SVC wrote I followed 2602 heading NIS to the Great Park A1 roundabout on Saturday night. Presumably heading to Thornton's or Ashington depot for storage, as I'm told it's now being prepared for disposal.

Allocation Amendments: 24th July 2016

Jesmond

Out - 1774, 1775, 2602 and 2603 for disposal (PVR reduction)
Out - 2801, 2802, 2806, 2815 and 2813 to Blyth (PVR reduction)

Blyth

In - 2801, 2802, 2806, 2815 and 2813 (ex Jesmond)
Out - 1760, 1763, 1765, 1767 and 1772 for disposal

(22 Jul 2016, 6:53 pm)R852 PRG wrote DiagTest are based in Unit 5 of the Sunflag Industrial Estate, while Arriva are based in Units 1, 2 and 3. They're the same complex but not actually part of the same depot, although doors connect the two units together.

No. That is incorrect, as Arriva are allowing DiagTest to use the facility to store, fix and do what ever the hell else they do with the buses.

It has always been Arriva's.

it has been mentioned a few days ago that there is a number of plaxton centros at arriva buses and coaches that are finding difficulties on getting a new owner and the rumour is that they could be handed over to arriva north east. I don't know how much truth is in the rumour so I am trying to find out if it is true or not

if anyone can shed some light on this rumour it will be appreciated

(24 Jul 2016, 5:07 pm)R852 PRG wrote Compass have a few old minibuses parked at DiagTest, as well as the preserved Economic vehicle. Just because Arriva park in there too, doesn't mean they're part of the same depot. Unit 4 is reportedly used by the Metrocentre to store things, does that mean those things are Arriva's too? In summary; Units 1-3 are Arriva, Units 4 and 5 are not.

Unit 5 was actually the original Belmont depot when they closed down Peterlee and Bishop Auckland.  It's only when they converted the main units that they bricked up part of the top unit to save money on the rent apparently.  The access to Unit 4 is around the back of our depot, and we don't actually have access to it.  However, we have full access to the top unit which DiagTest use.

(25 Jul 2016, 8:36 am)ODan wrote Allocation Amendments: 24th July 2016

Jesmond

Out - 1774, 1775, 2602 and 2603 for disposal (PVR reduction)
Out - 2801, 2802, 2806, 2815 and 2813 to Blyth (PVR reduction)

Blyth

In - 2801, 2802, 2806, 2815 and 2813 (ex Jesmond)
Out - 1760, 1763, 1765, 1767 and 1772 for disposal

I wouldn't be surprised to see the MPDs cascaded to Cymru, Midlands or Shires to replace older examples.

1435 appears to be Redcar's most recent Frequenta repaint.

(27 Jul 2016, 11:06 am)Dan wrote 1435 appears to be Redcar's most recent Frequenta repaint.

Fourth one done - 1430 was back out Sunday on Moorsbus. That one is on 62s today.

(27 Jul 2016, 11:06 am)Dan wrote 1435 appears to be Redcar's most recent Frequenta repaint.

(27 Jul 2016, 11:20 am)Kuyoyo wrote Fourth one done - 1430 was back out Sunday on Moorsbus. That one is on 62s today.

They're getting through them bloody quickly now - 1433 is now done and on 63s

(27 Jul 2016, 11:06 am)Dan wrote 1435 appears to be Redcar's most recent Frequenta repaint.

Arriva North East 1435 (NK10 CEO) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

(27 Jul 2016, 11:20 am)Kuyoyo wrote Fourth one done - 1430 was back out Sunday on Moorsbus. That one is on 62s today.

Arriva North East 1430 (NK59 DNF) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

(27 Jul 2016, 3:16 pm)Kuyoyo wrote They're getting through them bloody quickly now - 1433 is now done and on 63s

Arriva North East 1433 (NK10 CEJ) by Tony Kuy, on Flickr

That brings Redcar's Pulsar repaints to 5:
1430, 1432, 1433, 1435, 1438

Was coming home from Darlington on Monday, and took an hour to get out of town on the X66. Ok it was teatime, but if that's a typical delay due to the roadworks, the services must be all over the place at the moment.

I can't express enough how much the Pulsars suit that Frequenta base livery!

(25 Jul 2016, 10:30 am)Designline wrote it has been mentioned a few days ago that there is a number of plaxton centros at arriva buses and coaches that are finding difficulties on getting a new owner and the rumour is that they could be handed over to arriva north east. I don't know how much truth is in the rumour so I am trying to find out if it is true or not

if anyone can shed some light on this rumour it will be appreciated

Be good news if that is true, always had a soft spot for the VDL SB200 / Plaxton Centro's.

(25 Jul 2016, 10:30 am)Designline wrote it has been mentioned a few days ago that there is a number of plaxton centros at arriva buses and coaches that are finding difficulties on getting a new owner and the rumour is that they could be handed over to arriva north east. I don't know how much truth is in the rumour so I am trying to find out if it is true or not

if anyone can shed some light on this rumour it will be appreciated

(28 Jul 2016, 6:58 pm)NK05 GWZ wrote Be good news if that is true, always had a soft spot for the VDL SB200 / Plaxton Centro's.

The Centro's have been on the Arriva Bus and Coach website for ages, as were the Temsa's before they joined Arriva North East. Given that Arriva have taken the Temsa's before and that there are no 'brand new' buses this year...it wouldn't surprise me if this turned out to be true. There are also a number of MCV Evolution's as well which is yet another possibility!

Does anyone have any idea what the plans for Frequenta are after the 15 and the 63? Could quite easily see the 64/64a and the 28/29/29a joining next! Is there any chance of the 27/27A/9 joining as there are common sections with a 10 minute frequency, or may those proposed changes a while back ever go ahead???

(28 Jul 2016, 7:27 pm)peter wrote Does anyone have any idea what the plans for Frequenta are after the 15 and the 63? Could quite easily see the 64/64a and the 28/29/29a joining next! Is there any chance of the 27/27A/9 joining as there are common sections with a 10 minute frequency, or may those proposed changes a while back ever go ahead???

I don't think the 28/28a/29/29a will join the brand - after all, they are only a combined service in parts (28/28a/29 4 an hour to Marton, 29/29a 4 an hour to Easterside and Marton Manor via Linthorpe). 64/64a is another tricky one - after all they are every 10 minutes during the week then every 15 on a Saturday (interworking with the S2 as well).

As for the 9/27/27a - another tricky one. Had the plan for a simplified service to Netherfields come about by now (every 10 minutes via the 27a route as the 8) then I would say yes as they would have a core 5 minute frequency. The 9/27a at present don't have a even frequency during the week (5/10 split weekdays - and once an hour on a Saturday they leave Middlesbrough together).

(28 Jul 2016, 7:38 pm)Kuyoyo wrote I don't think the 28/28a/29/29a will join the brand - after all, they are only a combined service in parts (28/28a/29 4 an hour to Marton, 29/29a 4 an hour to Easterside and Marton Manor via Linthorpe). 64/64a is another tricky one - after all they are every 10 minutes during the week then every 15 on a Saturday (interworking with the S2 as well).

As for the 9/27/27a - another tricky one. Had the plan for a simplified service to Netherfields come about by now (every 10 minutes via the 27a route as the 8) then I would say yes as they would have a core 5 minute frequency. The 9/27a at present don't have a even frequency during the week (5/10 split weekdays - and once an hour on a Saturday they leave Middlesbrough together).

Fair enough (and thanks for the quick reply)! In that case, will the remaining 'Original Arriva' branded buses be repainted anyway following the completion of the various MAX and Frequenta schemes?

(28 Jul 2016, 7:45 pm)peter wrote Fair enough (and thanks for the quick reply)! In that case, will the remaining 'Original Arriva' branded buses be repainted anyway following the completion of the various MAX and Frequenta schemes?

Who knows. Some of the Prestiges went their full life without a repaint!

Wish Arriva would re-trim the seats in the Temsa's, I'm currently on-board 4711 and just about every seat is worn down and on some seats you can feel metal parts when you sit on them. The e-leather seats in 4700 were much better in my opinion.

(29 Jul 2016, 9:47 am)Jimmi wrote Wish Arriva would re-trim the seats in the Temsa's, I'm currently on-board 4711 and just about every seat is worn down and on some seats you can feel metal parts when you sit on them. The e-leather seats in 4700 were much better in my opinion.

People will be comparing you to Goldilocks if you're trying out different seats on the bus...! ;-)

I recall a local meeting where a manager at Arriva spoke about the Temsa seats following a question. Apparently, due to DDA limits on how high a seat can be from the floor in inches, if thicker padding was added to the Temsa seats, it would go over the height limit and would not be DDA.

Structural changes are therefore required and that is why they have not done them yet.

(29 Jul 2016, 10:04 am)Dan wrote People will be comparing you to Goldilocks if you're trying out different seats on the bus...! ;-)

Nah, they just look at ya like your mental! I know as I was playing musical chairs when I boarded 4711 at Eston Square.