They've been in service for 14 years, across many depots and have served various places along the way. How do you know that someone originating from or alighting at Ashington was responsible for these actions?

As for drunk passengers, a lot of people get on drunk in Newcastle, Blyth, Cramlington, Morpeth, Berwick, Alnwick etc etc, so your argument there is irrelevant.

Should we just not buy any new buses in case someone draws a phallic object in the back of the seats?

Fact. The darts usually have scrached windows on the inside and once I seen one with oi oi written in marker pen. And alot of  people get on drunk at Ashington so they are likely to grafiti too.

Every bus gets wear and tear,you cant just point the finger at one specific location for vandalism,it happens everywhere,sadly thats what society is now like,where alot of people dont have respect for people or property

Here's my order predictions for 2019;

NO NEW BUSES

Maybe a few refurbishments, but nothing new.

Here's my order predictions for 2019;

NO NEW BUSES

Maybe a few refurbishments, but nothing new.

I would guess a fair few transfers from other regions to help assist the withdrawal of older fleet.

Here's my order predictions for 2019;

NO NEW BUSES

Maybe a few refurbishments, but nothing new.

Agreed. Northumbria and Durham County are barely returning profits after DB take their quite large slice...

Here's my order predictions for 2019;

NO NEW BUSES

Maybe a few refurbishments, but nothing new.

Nothing is really old enough to replace atm, there's the MPDs and the Cadets but I think upcoming timetable changes and the Centro's entering service could potentially see the end of the Cadets unless they are retained whilst refurbs and repaints potentially happen.

2025+
A suggestion for a time miles from now...
The Mercedes-Benz Future Bus with CityPilot. With it's self-driving feature it will enable a significant reduction in collisions... Not only that but it will enable operators to redeploy employees to either other areas or different positions within the company. 

I think for a demonstration trial the vehicle should see exclusive use to local services to enable the use of the CityPilot. 

We are years away from having driverless vehicles across our region, although we should consider the advantages of having such a world first product.

2025+
A suggestion for a time miles from now...
The Mercedes-Benz Future Bus with CityPilot. With it's self-driving feature it will enable a significant reduction in collisions... Not only that but it will enable operators to redeploy employees to either other areas or different positions within the company. 

I think for a demonstration trial the vehicle should see exclusive use to local services to enable the use of the CityPilot. 

We are years away from having driverless vehicles across our region, although we should consider the advantages of having such a world first product.

I don't think we will ever see driverless buses.

For starters, it would make hundreds of drivers redundant (what other jobs would be available?) plus, who handles fares and validation of tickets - as not all tickets are straight forward.

Autonomous vehicles have a long way to go before they are safe enough to be in the mix of regular traffic. The only way it would work is if everything went autonomous overnight, otherwise the human element will still cause confusion.

Agreed. Northumbria and Durham County are barely returning profits after DB take their quite large slice...

Why don't DB stop or sell arriva on then.

Why don't DB stop or sell arriva on then.

Read what he put again.

DB are taking their slice, leaving little left behind to reinvest. Why would they sell?

Read what he put again.

DB are taking their slice, leaving little left behind to reinvest. Why would they sell?

DB are looking to sell. Recent reports are that they have cash flow issues and are looking to divest Arriva to help with this.

If Arriva somehow find money:

- 15 + 2x spare ADL E400MMC for X21 / X22
- 13x ADL E400MMC for X10 / X11
- 7541-7550 to Blyth for 308
- 7551 & 7552 spare at Blyth
- Ex Yorkshire Geminis used on X7/X8
- 12x VDL Geminis transferred to Jesmond for 43/44/45
- 5x ADL E400 Classics (14 reg) transferred to Jesmond for 306 alongside 1512 & 1513

A new fleet update scheme for northumbria if arriva miraculously get any money

Ashington 

4x volvo B11RT caetano levante 3s for the X15 (1101-4)+2 spare (1105/6) with 7553-6  moving to blyth for the 1 to replace 1401-3 & 1760

4x more volvo B11RT caetano levante 3s for the X20 (1107-10)+2 spare (1111/2) displacing 7511-14(with 7511-3 getting converted to euro 6 at falkirk) to blyth to replace 1766/67/68/69
7515/6 will also go to blyth to replace 1791 with 1 as a spare

5x intregal dennis E40D/E400MMCs for the X21/X22 displacing 7524-8 to blyth for the 2 

All the coaches will come with:
High backed E-leather seats
USB charging points at every seat
4 tabels (with 2 3 ping plug sockets)
A wheelchair lift
A wheelchair bay where the removeable seats usualy are
Over head luggage areas
The usual luggage areas under neath the main sallon
Toilets

2801/2 to be transferred from blyth to allow 1800/1 to be withdrawn 

4653/59/64 converted to euro 6 to act as spares for the X14/X18

Blyth:

7553-6 & 7511-6 transferred from Ashington to Blyth for the 1 replacing the elderly euro 3 commanders and darts. with 7553-6 & 7511-5 branded for the 1:
Blyth
Ashington                       every 20-60 minutes
Wansbeck hospital
Cresswell
Widdrington



And 7516 being stripped of quick links into newcastle branding however all the max logos staying there since that is only a spare

7524-8 to blyth from Ashington for the 2
All 5 being branded for the 2
Blyth Bedlington Guide post Stobhill Morpeth

This will displace 2801/2 to Ashington for the 57/57A allowing 1800/1 to be withdrawn 2810 to belmont allowing 1773 to be withdrawn & 2816 to redcar to allow 1753 to be withdrawn


4x E200EVs for the X9 (1301-4)+2 spare (1305/6)  allowing 1502/4 to go to belmont in trade for 1518/39 which will act as spares for the 2 with 1505 & 7608 entering a spare role at blyth

7410/85/87 will get a euro 6 conversion

Jesmond will get no new buses.
However the omnicities, E400s 7501-9 & B7s will get a euro 6 conversion.

Northumbria Plan:
5x Brand New Enviro 400MMCs - Ashington for X21/22. 
7524 To Belmont for 22/23/24 replacing 7539 To Darlington replacing 1514 To Jesmond as a spare for Sapphire routes/685.
7525 - 7528 Transfer to Jesmond.
7525 - 7528 rebranded to Cross Pennine 685.
4660 - 4662 To Ashington for X20.
7511 - 13 To Jesmond for 306 replacing 7413 - 7415.
1497 To Blyth replacing 7485.

7x Brand New ADL E200MMCs for Darlington 9/10.
2863 - 2867 To Ashington for 57/57A replacing 1800/01 To Disposal and 2809/12/13 To Blyth. 
2868 To Jesmond replacing 2806 To Blyth.
2869 To Whitby replacing 2828 To Blyth.
2806/09/12/13/28 will replace 1760/66/67/68/69 To withdrawn.

6x Brand New ADL E200MMCs for Darlington 3/3A.
2830 To Belmont replacing 1773.
2832 To Blyth replacing 1791 To Withdrawn.
2833/35/36/41 To Stockton replacing 1407/1409/1410/1414 To Blyth replacing 1401 - 1403 and 7487.

X20 needs deckers for peak journeys.

Northumbria Plan:
5x Brand New Enviro 400MMCs - Ashington for X21/22. 
7524 To Belmont for 22/23/24 replacing 7539 To Darlington replacing 1514 To Jesmond as a spare for Sapphire routes/685.
7525 - 7528 Transfer to Jesmond.
7525 - 7528 rebranded to Cross Pennine 685.
4660 - 4662 To Ashington for X20.
7511 - 13 To Jesmond for 306 replacing 7413 - 7415.
1497 To Blyth replacing 7485.

7x Brand New ADL E200MMCs for Darlington 9/10.
2863 - 2867 To Ashington for 57/57A replacing 1800/01 To Disposal and 2809/12/13 To Blyth. 
2868 To Jesmond replacing 2806 To Blyth.
2869 To Whitby replacing 2828 To Blyth.
2806/09/12/13/28 will replace 1760/66/67/68/69 To withdrawn.

6x Brand New ADL E200MMCs for Darlington 3/3A.
2830 To Belmont replacing 1773.
2832 To Blyth replacing 1791 To Withdrawn.
2833/35/36/41 To Stockton replacing 1407/1409/1410/1414 To Blyth replacing 1401 - 1403 and 7487.

BIB: There's a reason Stockton got rid of their Solos last year other that Tiger requiring them - they are now too small capacity wise for any of Stockton's routes. The 7 needed larger buses for school capacity - previously it was possible to do that with one large bus but now that 4 of the 6 workings get hit by school finishing times, it made more sense to convert to full-size full time (original plan was for 2803-5/7/8/29 to move to Blyth but that then fell through. Stockton actually require the Pulsars more than Blyth do. Plus don't forget that Blyth's PVR will drop once Killingworth Road reopens at some point this year, so some vehicles will be removed from fleet without replacement.

Northumbria Plan:
5x Brand New Enviro 400MMCs - Ashington for X21/22. 
7524 To Belmont for 22/23/24 replacing 7539 To Darlington replacing 1514 To Jesmond as a spare for Sapphire routes/685.
7525 - 7528 Transfer to Jesmond.
7525 - 7528 rebranded to Cross Pennine 685.
4660 - 4662 To Ashington for X20.
7511 - 13 To Jesmond for 306 replacing 7413 - 7415.
1497 To Blyth replacing 7485.

7x Brand New ADL E200MMCs for Darlington 9/10.
2863 - 2867 To Ashington for 57/57A replacing 1800/01 To Disposal and 2809/12/13 To Blyth. 
2868 To Jesmond replacing 2806 To Blyth.
2869 To Whitby replacing 2828 To Blyth.
2806/09/12/13/28 will replace 1760/66/67/68/69 To withdrawn.

6x Brand New ADL E200MMCs for Darlington 3/3A.
2830 To Belmont replacing 1773.
2832 To Blyth replacing 1791 To Withdrawn.
2833/35/36/41 To Stockton replacing 1407/1409/1410/1414 To Blyth replacing 1401 - 1403 and 7487.

They could also do euro 6 conversions on 7501-13 (currently euro 4), the omnicities (currently euro 3), the lowlanders (currently euro 3) & the 05/55 reg ALX 400s (currently euro 3) with the euro 3 darts, commanders, ALX 300s &W/X/Y ALX 400s being withdrawn (as the last 2 are intended to be anyway) as it is awfull the ammoumt of euro 3 buses in 2019

6x Brand New ADL E400MMCs - Whitby for X93.
7401 - 7406 To Ashington replacing 4653/4659/4664 To Blyth replacing 1401/1402/1403.
7511/12/13 To Redcar replacing 7424/25/26 To Blyth replacing 7411/7485/7487.

3x Brand New Optare Solo SRs - Jesmond for 6/553.
2601 - Blyth for service 58 replacing 1760.
2602 - Belmont for service 61/2 replacing 1773
2603 - Remaining at Jesmond releasing 2806 To Blyth replacing 1766.

26x Brand New Full Size ADL Enviro 200MMCs

9x - Belmont replacing 1320 - 1328 To Jesmomd replacing 2825/37/40/42/44/45/46/47/48.

2825/37/40/42 To Blyth replacing 1767/1768/1769/1791. The remaining solos (2844/45/46/47/48) To Ashington replacing 1800/1801/2809/2812/2813 To Withdrawn.

The ADL Enviro 200s will be allocated to services 46/55 upgrading them to a new standard with a increase in seats. The only services at Jesmond to be allocated Optare Solos will be services 6/51/51A/553.

14x - Redcar replacing 1440/1560 - 1572.
1440 To remain at Redcar as a spare for all services.

1560 - 1562 - Darlington replacing 1514 - 1516 To Ashington replacing 1579/80 To Jesmond replacing 7413/14 and 7486 To Withdrawn.

1563 - 1572 To Jesmond replacing 1408/1411/1479/1480/1495/96/97/1500 and 1512/1513 To Stockton for the 5/5A releasing 1550 - 1559 To Darlington replacing 2817/32/2833/2835/2836/2841/2843/2849 - 2851 To be withdrawn from ANE.

1573 will swap with Belmont for 1506 as Sapphire spare for X3/X4.

6x volvo B5TL/wright gemini 3s for the X93 (+2 spare)

7401-6 to blyth for the X7/X8

7601-5 to Jesmond for the 306 allowing 7410/7412-15 to go to scrap


7606 to go into a spare role at blyth allowing 7411 to go to scrap

1493/1501/1503 swapped with 1581-3 with the pulsars going on the 52/53/54 and the Streetlites joining the newly transferred B9s on the X7/X8


1502/1504/1505 to swapped with 1584-6 with the pulsars going on the 52/53/54 and the streetlites going on the X9


7608 swapped with 1587 with 1587 going on the X9 and 7608 going on the 52/53/54

7607/20 swapped with 1588/87 with the gemini 2s
Going on the 52/53/54 and the streetlites going into a spare role at blyth


What are yiur thoughts?_

<p>New order suggestion for arriva northumbria</p><p><br></p><p><u>Ashington</u></p><p><u><br></u></p><p>&nbsp;6x Volvo B8TL/E400 XLBs&nbsp;&nbsp;for the X15 (including 2 spares) due to the extra length the X15 will no longer be serving&nbsp;the Haymaket bus station. Instead buses will serve St Thomas street</p><p>In Berwick buses will also operate a revised route to accommodate the length.&nbsp; The revised route will also will be operating via Marygate, Castlegate &amp; North Road (Narrowly missing out the railway station whilst still stopping next to the station at the castlegate stop which is a 2 minutes-ish walk from the station it's self)&nbsp;before using the roundabout near the Berwick McDonald's and turnon onto the A1 southbound at the next round about buses will turn onto rotary way operating along rotary way then back onto the regular route. Although this seams like a negative as buses no longer serve the railway station entrance,&nbsp;it is actually a positive as now more stops in Berwick have a direct service to Newcastle and Highfield also now has a direct bus service to Newcastle. This will also result in a change in displays. From Newcastle buses will say&nbsp;</p><p>Morpeth</p><p>For Alnwick (then flicking onto):</p><p>Then onto Berwick &amp; Highfields</p><p><br></p><p>After Morpeth buses will display</p><p><br></p><p>Alnwick</p><p>Then onto Berwick &amp; Highfields</p><p><br></p><p>And from Alnwick buses will display:</p><p>Berwick</p><p>And Highfields</p><p><br></p><p>&nbsp;Also due to the long length buses will be fleet numbered separately from the other E400s in the 75xx series. Instead they will be&nbsp;7701-6.</p><p><br></p><p>These buses will feature:</p><p>A glazed roof</p><p>4 tables on the upper deck</p><p>E-leather seats (they seat type will be the same as the lothian examples but with leather and where the harder seats usually arecord they ate replaced with&nbsp; the same seats as the rest of the bus again like the lothian examples&nbsp;guaranteeing a comfy seat for everyone)</p><p>USB charging points at every seat</p><p>2 Wireless chargers at the tables</p><p>NSAs</p><p>Seat belts</p><p>Free wi fi</p><p>Upgrading the X15 to sapphire</p><p><br></p><p>However the interior will be more like ADL demo style</p><p><br></p><p>These buses will also include Smart&nbsp;mirrors and stop start transmission</p><p><br></p><p>7701-4 will be branded</p><p>7705/6 will be spare</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>7513/14/7553-6 will be transferred to Jesmond for the 306</p><p><br></p><p>No further New buses from Ashington</p><p><br></p><p><u>Blyth</u></p><p><u><br></u></p><p>6xE200EVs for the X9 (including 1 spare)</p><p><br></p><p>These buses will have the same interior spec as 9076 and will too include the smart mirrors and stop start transmission and free wi fi</p><p><br></p><p>These buses will displace 1502/4/5 &amp; 7608 to a spare role at blyth replacing 1401-3/7411</p><p><br></p><p>1480 from jesmond will also transfer to blyth (being replaced by an Ex Ashington E400) replacing 7485</p><p><br></p><p>One of the spare E200EVs will replace 7487 with the other being the dedicated X9 Spare</p><p><br></p><p>No further New buses from Blyth<br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><u>Jesmond</u></p><p><br></p><p>6x Volvo B8RLE/Plaxton panther LEs for the 685</p><p><br></p><p>These viechles will feature:</p><p>High backed E-leather seats</p><p>USB charging points at every seat</p><p>Free wi-fi</p><p>Seat belts</p><p>Seat back tray tables</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p>These coaches will also feature stop start transmission and smart mirrors</p><p><br></p><p>These viechles will carry minimal cross pennine branding</p><p><br></p><p>This will displace 4660-2 to Blyth &amp; Ashington as spares</p><p><br></p><p>With 4660/1 transferring to Ashington</p><p>And 4662 to Blyth</p><p><br></p><p>Jesmond will also receive 7513/14/53-6 for the 306 replacing 7410/2/3/4/5 to Withdrawn, 1480 to Blyth and 1495/6 to be spares for the X12 with 1495 going to Belmont and 1496 to Stockton</p><p><br></p><p>No further New buses</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>

<p>I mean good luck getting an XLB out of the depots/outstation and around Alnwick... </p><p><br></p><p>Edit: and St Thomas' Street good grief...</p>

<p>12x E400EVs for the sapphire&nbsp;43/44/45 (including 2 spare)</p><p><br></p><p>These buses will feature&nbsp;</p><p>The standard sapphire spec with:</p><p>High backed seats (like arriva wales)</p><p>4 tables on the upper deck</p><p>Seat-back tray tables</p><p>And Wireless chargers at the tabels added</p><p><br></p><p>5x E200EVs for Stockton's X12 boards (including 2 spare)</p><p>These will have an identical interior to 9080 however will have free WiFi and NSAs added Upgrading the X12 to sapphire&nbsp; (more on Belmont fleet in the next batch)</p><p>They will also include Smart mirrors like 9080 did</p><p><br></p><p>6x Enviro 400 MMCs for Belmont's X12 boards</p><p>These buses will have an identical interior to 9077 with free WiFi and NSAS added upgradin the X12 to sapphire</p><p><br></p><p>This is just an extension to my last prediction</p>

Arriva order predictions for 2019/2020 - Sod all again

Arriva order predictions for 2019/2020 - Sod all again

Certainly looks that way, think if we get anything anytime soon it will be in the form of cascades from other divisions such as Yorkshire.

Some Transfers that might work...
1524 - 1533 Transfer to Stockton for Sapphire 5/5A.
1550 - 1559 Transfer To Belmont for Sapphire 6.

7518 Transfer To Jesmond releasing 7522 To Belmont upgrading the Sapphire Spare.

5x ADL E400MMCs for Ashington for Sapphire X21/X22.

7524/25/26 To Belmont for Sapphire 6 releasing 7519/20/21 To Darlington for Sapphire 7.

1514/15/16 To Jesmond for 685, the new allocation of these will upgrade this service to ensure reliability is improved.

4660/61/62 To Blyth replacing 1401/1402/1403.

7527/28 To Belmont for Sapphire 7, releasing 1522/1523 To Jesmond as spares for services 43|44|45|685 replacing 1479 and 4523.

1479 To Belmont replacing 7539 To Darlington, 1479 will release 7522 To work on 22/23/24. 4523 will be withdrawn.

7539 will form the allocaton of Sapphire 7, ensuring all Journeys are operated by Double Decker vehicles.

------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Services 5/5A will receive some Sapphire Pulsar 2s, ensuring reliability is improved from the Sapphire StreetLites.
Service 6 will receive newer Sapphire vehicles.
Service 7 will receive a Full Sapphire Double Decker allocaton.
Services X21/X22 will receive some brand new buses, bringing the Sapphire Standard up to the same level.
Service 685 will receive newer vehicles upgrading the standard of the service.

6x E400MMC for X21/22 so receive full allocation of E400 MMC plus a spare
3x E400MMC for 685 Cross pennine to Jesmond matching stagecoach spec

4660-62 to Belmont replacing 1534-36 sending them anywhere in the country

1480, 1495-7, 1500 refurb to Sapphire 306
7523-28 to Jesmond for Sapphire 306
1579/80 for X16 making it standard arrive spec and all single deckers at Jesmond Streetlites

1408,1411 to Ashington for 35

7410-15 Scrapped

<p>

6x E400MMC for X21/22 so receive full allocation of E400 MMC plus a spare
3x E400MMC for 685 Cross pennine to Jesmond matching stagecoach spec

4660-62 to Belmont replacing 1534-36 sending them anywhere in the country

1480, 1495-7, 1500 refurb to Sapphire 306
7523-28 to Jesmond for Sapphire 306
1579/80 for X16 making it standard arrive spec and all single deckers at Jesmond Streetlites

1408,1411 to Ashington for 35

7410-15 Scrapped

</p><p>1534-1536 are at Stockton&nbsp;</p><p>306 wont be upgraded to Sapphire anytime soon. It will just become a standard service over time like the 308</p>

<p>

4660-62 to Belmont replacing 1534-36 sending them anywhere in the country

</p><p><br></p><p>1534-6 are not in a position to need replaced especially not by older buses that are euro 3. If anything it is the omnicties needing replaced&nbsp;</p>

Few things:

Any plans to replace Lites with Pulsars on Stockton 5/5A were seemingly dropped as the performance from Pulsar's supposedly weren't much better.

1534-6 are unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon considering we've just paid to refurbish them and get them into service from Yorkshire Tiger.

1514-16 ain't the best batch of Pulsar's you could choose to permanently allocate to the 685 as they have been pushed morning, noon and night 7 days a week since new on service 7 although 4660-62 are a bit unreliable for the 685 now supposedly.

There's older Volvo B7TLs in the fleet to be replaced before 7410-15 are.

As far as I'm aware, there is currently on new vehicles on order for Arriva North East, think we will only see cascades anytime soon myself.

<p>

Few things:

Any plans to replace Lites with Pulsars on Stockton 5/5A were seemingly dropped as the performance from Pulsar's supposedly weren't much better.

1534-6 are unlikely to go anywhere anytime soon considering we've just paid to refurbish them and get them into service from Yorkshire Tiger.

1514-16 ain't the best batch of Pulsar's you could choose to permanently allocate to the 685 as they have been pushed morning, noon and night 7 days a week since new on service 7 although 4660-62 are a bit unreliable for the 685 now supposedly.

There's older Volvo B7TLs in the fleet to be replaced before 7410-15 are.

As far as I'm aware, there is currently on new vehicles on order for Arriva North East, think we will only see cascades anytime soon myself.

</p><p><br></p><p>Tbh, I can't see anything new but&nbsp;something needs to be done about the ammount of euro 3 and 4 viechles in the fleet and even the 2 euro 2 buses and euro 1 trainers maye something like lithian's bus 2020 scheme. Here Is my plan:</p><p>Conversions:</p><p><br></p><p>1760/66/68/73/91&nbsp;converted to Euro 6</p><p>1800/1 converted&nbsp;to Euro 6</p><p>1923/4 converted to Euro 6</p><p>7453-6 converted euro 6</p><p>4660-1 converted to Euro 6</p><p>7501-9 converted to hybrid</p><p>The rest of the euro 4 E400s converted to Euro 6</p><p><br></p><p>Cascades and withdrawn:</p><p><br></p><p>4660-2 repainted to corp and sent to Stockton after their conversion in trade for 1534-6</p><p><br></p><p>1534-6 will be the new allocation for the 685</p><p>4660-2 taking over the role of 1534-6 at Stockton</p><p><br></p><p>1767 withdrawn due to being unreliable</p><p>Route 58 withdrawn by NCC due to low passenger numbers</p><p>This will rerelease&nbsp;1767 to withdrawn</p><p><br></p><p>Yorkshire Tiger 664-7 to be sent over to ane in trade for 2801/02/10/16/21</p><p>664-7 re-numbered 1537-41 they will also receive a repaint to arriva and a refurbishmental to add: free WiFi,&nbsp; USB charging points &amp; E-leather seats</p><p>These buses will see use on the 2</p><p><br></p><p>1401-3 withdrawn and replaced by yorkshire tiger 620-621 which will be re-numbered 1542-4 these will receive the same treatment as 1537-41</p><p>These buses will have the same role has 1401-3</p><p><br></p><p>What do you all think</p><p><br></p><p><br></p><p><br></p>