Nice to see possible improvements. Wonder what wild and wonderful suggestions they get?!

Evening X4's to Brotton and Skelton. But 5A terminating at Skelton and so not going to Asda and Brotton.

Evening X4's to Brotton and Skelton. But 5A terminating at Skelton and so not going to Asda and Brotton.

Chopping a bus out of the 5A basically.

Evening X4's to Brotton and Skelton. But 5A terminating at Skelton and so not going to Asda and Brotton.

There's a bit at the bottom of the page where they ask for passengers suggestions - if they don't like the ANE ideas.

Random question regarding the upcoming timetable for the X21 Sunderland - Darlington:

Is there a particular reason why the last two journeys between Sunderland - Newton Aycliffe on a night terminate at Newton Aycliffe at St. Clares Church on Central Avenue rather than Churchill House (the main Newton Aycliffe Town Centre stop?) http://www.cartogold.co.uk/durham/pdf/Fo...NE_X21.pdf

Isn't that just the other side of Tesceurgh? Possibly because it chops off a few minutes before returning to Faverdale via the A167 and there's less negotiating with drunks waiting at Churchill House?

Isn't that just the other side of Tesceurgh? Possibly because it chops off a few minutes before returning to Faverdale via the A167 and there's less negotiating with drunks waiting at Churchill House?

On Peterlee bound journeys, St. Clares Church (stop name is Central Avenue) is the bus stop before Tesco.

Just seems a bit random for them to chop out Greenwell Road (round the back by Aldi and the leisure centre) and Stephenson Way. Mind most of the time it seems if there is anyone on the last 21 to Aycliffe on a night atm beyond Sedgefield, it's usually me! Just typical as I normally get off outside the leisure centre as that's the closest stop to home. Doubt I'll ever do the last run from Sunderland on a weeknight but it does connect quite nicely with the 5A home.

6th November Northumberland/ Tyne service changes-

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east/u...mber-2016/

6th November Northumberland/ Tyne service changes-

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east/u...mber-2016/

Finally! Earlier 1s on a Sunday, but a shame about the lack of journeys after 1800... Still!

As posted in the main thread, a press release regarding changes in County Durham and Darlington from the 30th October is now available here.

A reminder these changes started today!

6th November Northumberland/ Tyne service changes-

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/north-east/u...mber-2016/

The 552 sounds good

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Although a few extra stops have been bunged into the X7 / X8, it seems a good move to try and assist reliability and it looks like that on average, a 10 minute layover is being introduced in the following pattern in Blyth as well as a PVR increase of 1x vehicle:

Cycle 1:
X7 Blyth Dep: 00:45 then 01:15, 01:45, 02:15, 02:45 = 5x vehicles in total
X7 Newcastle Arr: 01:45
X8 Newcastle Dep: 01:52
X8 Blyth Arr: 03:05 then....
X7 Blyth Dep: 03:15

Cycle 2:
X8 Blyth Dep: 00:47 then 01:17, 01:47, 02:17, 02:47 = 5x vehicles in total
X8 Newcastle Arr: 02:00
X7 Newcastle Dep: 02:07
X7 Blyth Arr: 03:07 then....
X8 Blyth Dep: 03:17

A reminder these changes started today!

Not a very smooth implementation of the new X46 half of the buses showing 46 on the destination display and the remainer showing X46.

A mix of MAX bases livery ALX400's and standard Arriva Pulsars is not an ideal way to launch a service improvement.

PB0002717/258 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Durham and Cockfield given service number 6 effective from 30-Oct-2016. To amend Timetable.

PB0002717/383 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP
Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Durham and Hartlepool given service number 24/24X effective from 30-Oct-2016. To amend Timetable.

Not a very smooth implementation of the new X46 half of the buses showing 46 on the destination display and the remainer showing X46.

A mix of MAX bases livery ALX400's and standard Arriva Pulsars is not an ideal way to launch a service improvement.

Too right.

Not a very smooth implementation of the new X46 half of the buses showing 46 on the destination display and the remainer showing X46.

A mix of MAX bases livery ALX400's and standard Arriva Pulsars is not an ideal way to launch a service improvement.

They've been advertising a launch in Crook for the X46 for tomorrow but they have not given any idea of what sort of time the event will take place.

They've been advertising a launch in Crook for the X46 for tomorrow but they have not given any idea of what sort of time the event will take place.

I haven't even seen any branded vehicles, yet!

I haven't even seen any branded vehicles, yet!

There are two ALX400s branded for the X46, plus one Solo for the 49/49A

Cross Pennine service 685/X85 timetable has been finally made public by Arriva. Timetable via SC C&NL will be up soon.
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/globalassets...-sep16.pdf

New timetable commences Sunday 13th November 2016.

I haven't even seen any branded vehicles, yet!

Here is one of the branded vehicles (7427).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpr_bus_ph...ed-public/

Does the X46 still interwork with service 48?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

Does the X46 still interwork with service 48?


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

The X46 & 48 were interworking when I was using the service today.

Here is one of the branded vehicles (7427).

https://www.flickr.com/photos/gpr_bus_ph...ed-public/

Just me that doesn't understand why there are so many different variations of the MAX livery?

What's wrong with the livery design used at Blyth on the X10/X11? I much prefer that to the version displayed on 7427.

Arriva North East: 7617 / NK61EBF by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Just me that doesn't understand why there are so many different variations of the MAX livery?

What's wrong with the livery design used at Blyth on the X10/X11? I much prefer that to the version displayed on 7427.

Arriva North East: 7617 / NK61EBF by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

I agree the livery on 7617 does look better the problem with 7427 is the route information is too far towards the rear of the bus. Not only was the route information less easy on the eye but putting the details next to the wheel arch means it will get covered in dirt spray from the wheels.

It might help deliver a consistent branding if Arriva used a quality check list and diagram for applying branding similar to those used by other operators.

Just been picking up the timetables for service X21 and X22, both timetables are seperate than both into one timetable leaflet


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I agree the livery on 7617 does look better the problem with 7427 is the route information is too far towards the rear of the bus. Not only was the route information less easy on the eye but putting the details next to the wheel arch means it will get covered in dirt spray from the wheels.

It might help deliver a consistent branding if Arriva used a quality check list and diagram for applying branding similar to those used by other operators.

Yes, and we are fast approaching 'black bus' season!

Launch a new brand and have a substantial amount of the route information covered by muck and dirt.

I am really surprised that there are so many variations of the MAX livery. Wasn't it produced by Best Impressions? I know they provide branding guides as part of their service...

Just been picking up the timetables for service X21 and X22, both timetables are seperate than both into one timetable leaflet

Yeah, I've picked up some copies of the X21, X22 timetables the other day. Think there is a page where it gives you the X21 and X22 times between Peterlee and Sedgefield in the back of the leaflet.

I am really surprised that there are so many variations of the MAX livery. Wasn't it produced by Best Impressions? I know they provide branding guides as part of their service...

For a couple of months, Arriva have been managing the Sapphire and MAX brands "in house", instead of Best Impressions. 

So, the new crappy 'MAX From Arriva a DB company' logo is being used on interior branding and promotional stuff. Due to the brand management being moved "in house" the fonts have had to change too, as I believe Best Impressions owned the rights to the original fonts used on the brands. The new font has already been implemented in the recent Sapphire X21/X22 timetable. 

Also, the red "space bar" thing with the frequency is "in house" too, and has also been implemented on the rear windows of the X16 Pulsars.  

It really does look very poor indeed.

Cross Pennine service 685/X85 timetable has been finally made public by Arriva. Timetable via SC C&NL will be up soon.
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/globalassets...-sep16.pdf

New timetable commences Sunday 13th November 2016.

Looks like Stagecoach will be operating the last two journeys from Eldon Square as they will be running all the way to Carlisle.

Today on VOSA:


PB0002032/528 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Alnwick Barresdale and Coquet Enterprise Park given service number 472 effective from 07-Nov-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.


12. PB0002717/318 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Roseworth and Ingleby Barwick given service number 15 effective from 11-Dec-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.


13. PB0002717/335 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Middlesbrough and Peterlee given service number X22 effective from 11-Dec-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

Today on VOSA:


PB0002032/528 - ARRIVA NORTHUMBRIA LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Alnwick Barresdale and Coquet Enterprise Park given service number 472 effective from 07-Nov-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.


12. PB0002717/318 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Roseworth and Ingleby Barwick given service number 15 effective from 11-Dec-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.


13. PB0002717/335 - ARRIVA DURHAM COUNTY LTD, 1 ADMIRAL WAY, DOXFORD INTERNATIONAL BUSINESS PARK, SUNDERLAND, SR3 3XP

Variation Accepted by SN: Operating between Middlesbrough and Peterlee given service number X22 effective from 11-Dec-2016. To amend Route and Timetable.

Durham Road reopening?

The X22 reverts back too it original route..