(04 Dec 2013, 10:04 pm)palatine3833 wrote YD63 UZN is seen here in Belmont depot tonight

It's been doing test runs today with engineering and has had a ticket machine base plate and cash tray added. It's parked where the X1 deckers usually go, so I'm not sure whether it will be coming out on Thursday or Friday but it should be being used on the 64 as Scott has said.

This is currently (12.24) sitting in Durham bus station's layover bays.

(05 Dec 2013, 3:47 pm)Richard Smiles wrote Dear All,

To reflect the entry into service of the 11 New Sapphire Pulsar Vehicles at Darlington (9) & Durham (2) & the subsequent additional Fleet movements as a result, I have fully updated my Arriva North East Fleet List (Effective from Monday 9 December 2013) and this is attached. This is in line with the "Official" Arriva North East Fleet Allocation Sheet.

Please feel free to download this PDF version for your records, should you wish to do so.

NOTE: Changes to Depot Allocations on the list, are highlighted in Red.

Kind Regards, Richard

Thanks Richard. Appreciated as always. Any idea what fleet number has been allocated to the Versa demo yet? I had seen it earlier in Durham bus station, but two vehicles either side meant I couldn't see the fleet number.

Is there any pictures or news about today's 'Sapphire' launch event? Much appreciated!

I was at Walworth this afternoon as they were setting the buses up. From what I know about the launch, I can understand why it was timed for the hours of darkness. I took a few photos while the sun was still shining, but I'm sure the ones of the actual launch will look much more impressive!

(05 Dec 2013, 7:43 pm)Mark Gibbon wrote I was at Walworth this afternoon as they were setting the buses up. From what I know about the launch, I can understand why it was timed for the hours of darkness. I took a few photos while the sun was still shining, but I'm sure the ones of the actual launch will look much more impressive!

Good to hear Mark!

Just a reminder to all that the Sapphire Pulsars are out on the road as of this morning - I will put a report on here later of the first day...

(06 Dec 2013, 8:54 am)tyresmoke wrote Good to hear Mark!

Just a reminder to all that the Sapphire Pulsars are out on the road as of this morning - I will put a report on here later of the first day...

Photographs of the same (Sapphire Vehicles) to my personal email address would be most welcome Scott for inclusion in an amended version of my latest Arriva North East Fleet List (PDF) + any shots of the Optare Versa Demonstrator should you be in the Durham Area.

Very Many Thanks. Regards Richard

How many of you have liked/shared the Arriva North East fb status to win an earring and pendant set as part of the x10/x11 promotion?

Come on now, in an equal opportunities society there is nothing wrong with a bloke wearing female jewellery.
Is there...?

So Sapphire was launched last night at Walworth Castle and they were out on the road this morning.

I had a few rides on them today and can certainly say they're lovely vehicles. The leather seats we're really nice, a far nicer leather than the slippy material used in the Omnicity vehicles. The interior colours are an interesting choice, with the dark blue on the lower half of the side/front panels and then the light grey above, but they seem to work well. I was pleased to note that the wi-fi worked on 2 out of the 3 that I rode on.

I was also impressed with the cove branding which was all matching in Sapphire colours, showing a route map and other information. Each bus also has a different vinyl picture on the back of the cab wall, which provides a change to the plain white we're all used to. It is more visable than on similar projects elsewhere using double deck vehicles and I think it works better.

The next stop announcements are visually on a TV which is placed above the saloon on the bulkhead before the cab, and the audio announcements are voiced by the same woman that does the ones on the South West Trains network (I think anyway, sounds the same!). This means that the "Stopping" display is moved to the left of the cabin which appears to be a good place to have it, different to the Wright standard display too!

There were some issues with timekeeping thanks to the closure of Whessoe Road in Darlington, forcing lots of traffic onto (the already busy!) North Road corridor, and Darlington based Pulsar 1498 was seen on one journey presumably thrown on to help get buses back on time. There were unfortunately a few gaps in service and I was impressed to see some of the loadings, especially at college time this evening. The Pulsar's are only 40 seaters though, same as the Darts they've replaced. The 2+1 formation of seating does give extra standing room, though.

The new timetable produced for the new brand has to be one of the best timetables I've seen for a long time, very much like the Coastliner timetable with fare information, timetables and route map all displayed in similar fashion.

1514 seen entering Ferryhill en-route to Darlington


1520 seen at DurhamGate Business Park en-route to Durham


Rear branding as shown on 1515

(06 Dec 2013, 10:27 pm)tyresmoke wrote

So Sapphire was launched last night at Walworth Castle and they were out on the road this morning.

I had a few rides on them today and can certainly say they're lovely vehicles. The leather seats we're really nice, a far nicer leather than the slippy material used in the Omnicity vehicles. The interior colours are an interesting choice, with the dark blue on the lower half of the side/front panels and then the light grey above, but they seem to work well. I was pleased to note that the wi-fi worked on 2 out of the 3 that I rode on.

I was also impressed with the cove branding which was all matching in Sapphire colours, showing a route map and other information. Each bus also has a different vinyl picture on the back of the cab wall, which provides a change to the plain white we're all used to. It is more visable than on similar projects elsewhere using double deck vehicles and I think it works better.

The next stop announcements are visually on a TV which is placed above the saloon on the bulkhead before the cab, and the audio announcements are voiced by the same woman that does the ones on the South West Trains network (I think anyway, sounds the same!). This means that the "Stopping" display is moved to the left of the cabin which appears to be a good place to have it, different to the Wright standard display too!

There were some issues with timekeeping thanks to the closure of Whessoe Road in Darlington, forcing lots of traffic onto (the already busy!) North Road corridor, and Darlington based Pulsar 1498 was seen on one journey presumably thrown on to help get buses back on time. There were unfortunately a few gaps in service and I was impressed to see some of the loadings, especially at college time this evening. The Pulsar's are only 40 seaters though, same as the Darts they've replaced. The 2+1 formation of seating does give extra standing room, though.

The new timetable produced for the new brand has to be one of the best timetables I've seen for a long time, very much like the Coastliner timetable with fare information, timetables and route map all displayed in similar fashion.

1514 seen entering Ferryhill en-route to Darlington


1520 seen at DurhamGate Business Park en-route to Durham


Rear branding as shown on 1515

I quite like the Pulsar as a vehicle, but found them to be lacking in quality compared to the Solar.
Are they suitable for this type of upgrade?

(07 Dec 2013, 9:37 am)andreos1 wrote I quite like the Pulsar as a vehicle, but found them to be lacking in quality compared to the Solar.
Are they suitable for this type of upgrade?

I think time will tell but our 61 plates at Stockton rattle a lot and I know they've had issues with cab walls creaking and rattling which Wrights have tried to sort out. These ones do seem to be built a bit better than them though, and the bonded glazing gives a different feel too.

Dear All,

First of all may I apologise to those of you, that have recently downloaded my Arriva North East (PDF) Fleet List. I was hoping to include photos of vehicles from the first day of the Sapphire branded Service 7, but at the time of the original posting had NON available.

Thanks however to a number of enthusiasts that ventured out with their Cameras yesterday, this situation has now changed & as my December Fleet List is the last one for this year, I have taken the decision to re-issue the Fleet List, in order to incorporate photos of the Sapphire Pulsars.

Once again this is FREE! to download, should you wish to do so, for your own records.

NB: I am always looking for photos to include my (PDF) Fleet List Publications, so if you have a photo you would perhaps like included in future editions & give yourself a bit of free publicity, please feel free to email me. I always ensure that the appropriate accreditation & copyright is given to the person supplying the photo should it be used.

Kind Regards, Richard

I notice a lack of front fleet numbers, are they going to put them on ?

Bit of an odd Question i know however i think its relevant, is Arriva North East getting smaller?

Now some people will ask why am asking this so let me explain

Arriva North West and Wales are the company up here a use the most but they seem to be on a retreat we have lost 2 Depots in the North West (Skelmersdale and Manchester) in Wales Llandudno has been reduced to an outstation and Holyhead outstation has been shut, later this month 4 more Welsh Depots/Out stations will be shut, going back to the North West most of the tendered services Arriva had have been lost and a lot of none tendered routes have been cut back to the point we think 3 Depots in the North West could be at risk of going, Drivers up here all think they going to be sold of but i do wonder if its not just going on up where i am but maybe here aswell?

(07 Dec 2013, 12:29 pm)Terence Price wrote Bit of an odd Question i know however i think its relevant, is Arriva North East getting smaller?

Now some people will ask why am asking this so let me explain

Arriva North West and Wales are the company up here a use the most but they seem to be on a retreat we have lost 2 Depots in the North West (Skelmersdale and Manchester) in Wales Llandudno has been reduced to an outstation and Holyhead outstation has been shut, later this month 4 more Welsh Depots/Out stations will be shut, going back to the North West most of the tendered services Arriva had have been lost and a lot of none tendered routes have been cut back to the point we think 3 Depots in the North West could be at risk of going, Drivers up here all think they going to be sold of but i do wonder if its not just going on up where i am but maybe here aswell?

It isn't just Arriva.
One of the other big operators in the area have also closed depots and are in the process of consolidating another two.

Apparently the actual numbers of vehicles in the area have also dropped from previous years.

All do to with profit by the looks of it in the North West too.

Scania Omnicity 4662 (with a really high-pitched loud air leak by the sound it was making most of the time) was working 0625 685 ex-Newcastle.

Pulsar 1481 worked the last ever 0555 685 ex-Newcastle to Carlisle and then the 0854 back over.

Scania Omnicity 4661 worked the last ever 685 service to go through Greenhead/Gilsland/Low Row this evening, the 1645 ex-Newcastle (pictured). Weirdly it was on-time throughout (probably due to the driver driving as if he was in a rally car).


Sean

(07 Dec 2013, 9:37 pm)northern156 wrote Scania Omnicity 4662 (with a really high-pitched loud air leak by the sound it was making most of the time) was working 0625 685 ex-Newcastle.

Pulsar 1481 worked the last ever 0555 685 ex-Newcastle to Carlisle and then the 0854 back over.

Scania Omnicity 4661 worked the last ever 685 service to go through Greenhead/Gilsland/Low Row this evening, the 1645 ex-Newcastle (pictured). Weirdly it was on-time throughout (probably due to the driver driving as if he was in a rally car).


Sean

Thanks for that, what do you make to the leather seats on these Omnicities? There have apparently been many complaints which seems to be an integral part of the reasoning behind their "refurbishment" next year.

(07 Dec 2013, 9:43 pm)tyresmoke wrote Thanks for that, what do you make to the leather seats on these Omnicities? There have apparently been many complaints which seems to be an integral part of the reasoning behind their "refurbishment" next year.

I never liked the one that went to Jesmond from Belmont.
Always used to be on the 24 whenever I used it, and if you were sitting on the back group of 4 seats and the driver was late... Christ, you'd slide all over!

(07 Dec 2013, 9:43 pm)tyresmoke wrote Thanks for that, what do you make to the leather seats on these Omnicities? There have apparently been many complaints which seems to be an integral part of the reasoning behind their "refurbishment" next year.

They're ok for journeys less than 30 minutes, I dare say comfortable.
Anything more than that (for example 2 and a half hours from Newcastle to Carlisle), they really get irritating.
Talking about irritating, the people who have complained are no doubt the ones who go and bleat to the local press (Hexham Courant being one) saying they should have seatbelts, (I think some of them believe Arriva is breaking the law not having any fitted).
I bet the same ones who will complain will never use them; they're whining for the sake of it.

Mind they're much better than the old DAF seats, should some chewing gum ever get attached to them!

(07 Dec 2013, 9:47 pm)northern156 wrote They're ok for journeys less than 30 minutes, I dare say comfortable.
Anything more than that (for example 2 and a half hours from Newcastle to Carlisle), they really get irritating.
Talking about irritating, the people who have complained are no doubt the ones who go and bleat to the local press (Hexham Courant being one) saying they should have seatbelts, (I think some of them believe Arriva is breaking the law not having any fitted).
I bet the same ones who will complain will never use them; they're whining for the sake of it.

Mind they're much better than the old DAF seats, should some chewing gum ever get attached to them!

Yeah the leather is so tightly stitched and plus its a very slippy type material, not ideal for bus seats! They were ok when new on the X6 but before transfer we used them on 5s to Whitby, and they weren't great on the country roads!
It will be much better when they have fabric covers I think, I would like to see them add armrests to them too...

More than likely the same people yes! There's a number of letters in the press from before the coaches went. They just like complaining for the sake of it...

(07 Dec 2013, 10:18 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yeah the leather is so tightly stitched and plus its a very slippy type material, not ideal for bus seats! They were ok when new on the X6 but before transfer we used them on 5s to Whitby, and they weren't great on the country roads!
It will be much better when they have fabric covers I think, I would like to see them add armrests to them too...

More than likely the same people yes! There's a number of letters in the press from before the coaches went. They just like complaining for the sake of it...

I've never used the two front seats in the main saloon which have arm rests on. I think they would be pretty welcomed; my left arm was freezing this morning after resting it on the window even with my hoodie on!
Arriva are adding seatbelts I think with the new refurb, I hope they don't use 3-point ones...


Sean

(07 Dec 2013, 12:34 pm)andreos1 wrote It isn't just Arriva.
One of the other big operators in the area have also closed depots and are in the process of consolidating another two.

Apparently the actual numbers of vehicles in the area have also dropped from previous years.

All do to with profit by the looks of it in the North West too.

the shift of power in Manchester has changed a few things, after i posted this i found out another none tendered route is to be cut back and another night bus in Liverpool is to be withdrawn, its odd when not long ago there was a lovley network of buses up here and now its getting reduced bit by bit.

So, the Pulsar Sapphires have launched. Which is most welcome but it's not the tattiest of the Darlington allocation that is changing as a result. I'm sure the X-GGO Darts are welcome for Redcar, but even these must be a stopgap - they are now 13 years old.
Does anyone know what comes next: the R-COO Darts, the S-KHN Darts and the older MPD's are all surely hanging by a thread, to say nothing of the Prestiges which are still plentiful in the area? .

More new buses are due next year, lots more in Sapphire specification im told, that will release the Prestiges currently residing in Redcar & Stockton to the scrapyard.

I think the X reg darts transfer to Redcar is also a way to try and help their engineering team out, as they are more reliable than some of their current stock.

(08 Dec 2013, 1:47 pm)9920up wrote So, the Pulsar Sapphires have launched. Which is most welcome but it's not the tattiest of the Darlington allocation that is changing as a result. I'm sure the X-GGO Darts are welcome for Redcar, but even these must be a stopgap - they are now 13 years old.
Does anyone know what comes next: the R-COO Darts, the S-KHN Darts and the older MPD's are all surely hanging by a thread, to say nothing of the Prestiges which are still plentiful in the area? .

Officially Redcar (and Whitby) should have lost all their remaining Prestiges this weekend, but obviously not as apparently 3 were out on 5s yesterday! That would leave only Stockton (with 15!) with more than 1. But are R-COO Darts an improvement on Prestiges? They were supposed to be fit for the knackers' yard when they left Stockton a couple of years ago!

(07 Dec 2013, 11:00 am)Coppercap40 wrote I notice a lack of front fleet numbers, are they going to put them on ?

They have them on the rear, and I'm told on the nearside near the door, though I never noticed them there.

The X reg darts were ok when they came from Scotland but as with most buses that transfer into Darlington they have collected repeat uncleared defects. So Redcar will have their work cut out to get them up to scratch

To be fair darlingtons fleet is in alot better condition mechanically than redcars tho could be exception.of some S KHN darts that are now worse for fair tho most of them were cascades frm other depots except for 1611/12

Just to confirm that the Versa Demonstrator is out again as today as expected on 64's.

(27 Nov 2013, 9:10 pm)busman101 wrote £300 grand a bus - what on earth would they be buying for that sort of money !!!

Not much rumpus from the regulars yet on the withdrawal of the early and late 685 journeys to/from Carlisle and the withdrawal completely from Gilsland. No doubt it'll all come out in the wash in the next couple of weeks along with will a bus really run empty all the way from Newcastle to Carlisle 6 days a week as the timetable seems to suggest.

Do Arriva outstation any vehicles for 85/X85/685 in Hexham? In new TT three start from there a.m. (0642 & 0732 X85 and 0757 85 - the 0627 85 is presumably worked by incoming 0535 ex Newcastle) plus there's the unbalanced 0907 from Carlisle (assuming all Arriva's match Stagecoach with a 71 min. layover in Carlisle) Then p.m. from Newcastle the 1710 & 1945 85's and 1720 X85 all have no return workings, so do they keep them in Hexham or run them all LT from Newcastle?

(10 Dec 2013, 12:10 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Do Arriva outstation any vehicles for 85/X85/685 in Hexham? In new TT three start from there a.m. (0642 & 0732 X85 and 0757 85 - the 0627 85 is presumably worked by incoming 0535 ex Newcastle) plus there's the unbalanced 0907 from Carlisle (assuming all Arriva's match Stagecoach with a 71 min. layover in Carlisle) Then p.m. from Newcastle the 1710 & 1945 85's and 1720 X85 all have no return workings, so do they keep them in Hexham or run them all LT from Newcastle?

Read somewhere they were running light from Jesmond - inc the one from Carlisle!