So you'd rather them lie to the customers?

Lol. Can't get drivers through the door due to a mixture DVLA delays and poor working conditions, yet they're having to say drivers being off on the sick (which is exactly how that statement would read to an average punter) is the casue of service reductions.

Are you Arriva management by any chance?

Lol. Can't get drivers through the door due to a mixture DVLA delays and poor working conditions, yet they're having to say drivers being off on the sick (which is exactly how that statement would read to an average punter) is the casue of service reductions.

Are you Arriva management by any chance?

It's also true (increased sickness rate) from what I've heard from some drivers. No doubt the other factors you've mentioned are playing a part, but I'd argue they're far harder to explain away to an average punter ("sorry your service isn't running, blame the DVLA" just seems like passing the buck). Saying "high level of driver absence" is something that passengers can easily accept, in the current situation. 

Not a chance. I'm the first to criticise them for certain things (i.e rapidly slipping standards in engineering and presentation), but it's wearisome seeing every single thing the company does be criticised.

Tbh,just be grateful a service is being provided,they could easily of said the 46,55,and X10/X11 will not operate at all,on a seperate question,do Blyth and Jesmond not get along or summit?, my 308 was running late the other day, and was right behind a 306, my driver was blaring his horn at the other driver even though the other driver couldnt move,anyway when the 306 moved he,just in made a comment that is best not to repeat just incase

I've applied with Stagecoach Hartlepool the other week. Got through the interview but now have a 5 week delay until I can sit the medical as my opticians are so far behind because they stopped doing eye tests all last year.

Typical Arriva statement, its the drivers fault they are having to cut back on service levels.

I don't think they are blaming anyone. They're citing an operational problem in delivering the service, which to be honest is better than generic terms like 'operational issues' or 'technical issues'.

I've applied with Stagecoach Hartlepool the other week. Got through the interview but now have a 5 week delay until I can sit the medical as my opticians are so far behind because they stopped doing eye tests all last year.

Look forward to seeing you driving buses in the town then.

Does anyone know if the X5 has been reinstated yet, or is returning at all ? Would be nice to have an option of a faster early morning journey into Middlesbrough again at some point.

Arriva have a small number of changes happening on the 25th

Most change is the 306 will now run every 30 minutes to Whitley Bay

Arriva have a small number of changes happening on the 25th

Most change is the 306 will now run every 30 minutes to Whitley Bay

The 306 has ran to Whitley Bay for years now?

The 306 has ran to Whitley Bay for years now?

Was meant to add "and won't finish at Tynemouth"

Arriva have a small number of changes happening on the 25th

Most change is the 306 will now run every 30 minutes to Whitley Bay

Theres no change there at all,the 306 has ran to Whitley Bay for about 7 or 8 years now on a 30 monute frequency

Theres no change there at all,the 306 has ran to Whitley Bay for about 7 or 8 years now on a 30 monute frequency

What he means is, the 306 will operate to Whitley Bay on a half hourly frequency with the short runs that terminate at Tynemouth being withdrawn, whether this is a permanent thing or another thing to steady the ship due to driver shortages or whatever else remains to be seen, publicly at least.

What he means is, the 306 will operate to Whitley Bay on a half hourly frequency with the short runs that terminate at Tynemouth being withdrawn, whether this is a permanent thing or another thing to steady the ship due to driver shortages or whatever else remains to be seen, publicly at least.

Good decision considering the whitley runs seem to get cancelled alot most likely due to the driver shortages.

Seems the shortages are getting out of control in Northumbria. That's now every single bus route down to every 30 minutes or less now.

The 43, 55, 306 and 308 being the last 4 to go on 25th. The rest already done at Ashington and Blyth

Massive gamble (not out of choice really) cutting the 306 & 308 to every 30 mins each Mondays to Saturdays. If Percy Main depot doesn't get hit too bad (or GNE have extra drivers they can get to cover) and can maintain frequency on the 309/310/311, Arriva will potentially lose passengers long term.

I sincerely hope Arriva explored all options before cutting the 2x services!

Massive gamble (not out of choice really) cutting the 306 & 308 to every 30 mins each Mondays to Saturdays. If Percy Main depot doesn't get hit too bad (or GNE have extra drivers they can get to cover) and can maintain frequency on the 309/310/311, Arriva will potentially lose passengers long term.

I sincerely hope Arriva explored all options before cutting the 2x services!

They've got no choice, everything is down to 30 Mins Max in Northumbria, cutting a half hourly service to hourly is much worse as what's happened today with the 2, X7 (towards Newcastle) and X8 (out of Newcastle at peak time), see below.

?SERVICE UPDATE: Due to staff shortages the following journeys will not operate today (15/07):

Service 2
1707 from Blyth
1816 from Morpeth

Service 308
1311, 1511, 1541 and 1651 from Blyth
1425, 1630, 1700 and 1805 from Newcastle
1741 to Billy Mill

Service X7/X8
1517 and 1617 from Blyth
1622 and 1727 from Newcastle

Service X9
1750 from Blyth

Service X16
1757 from Morpeth
1806 from Abbey Meadows

Service X30
1733 from Newcastle

Not sure, the 308 boards will even be enough, guessing Blyth will be getting help from somewhere as the 308 was pretty much half hourly tonight anyway. 8 boards short today if I've worked it out right.

Massive gamble (not out of choice really) cutting the 306 & 308 to every 30 mins each Mondays to Saturdays. If Percy Main depot doesn't get hit too bad (or GNE have extra drivers they can get to cover) and can maintain frequency on the 309/310/311, Arriva will potentially lose passengers long term.

I sincerely hope Arriva explored all options before cutting the 2x services!

I would suspect the decision to reduce the 306/308 is based on the fact another service exists... They still combine into a 15 minute which is the same as the X10/X11 and X21/X22 etc.

In the world of EP/BSIPs, competition as we know it wont exist. The guidance actually suggests rationalisation of over competitive routes to ensure others benefit. The current bus every 2/3 minutes on the Coast Road will not be the situation in 12-18 months time. Guarantee it.

100 drivers short in the whole of the NE due to various issues atm. Long term it'll probably be a blessing for Arriva when they look at the numbers and realise they can run the usual 20 min sevices half hourly instead without any loss of patronage.

Are the recent service reductions solely down to driver shortages or is there 'other' things (i.e ageing fleets)?

For Arriva to reduce the 306 & 308 not just to every 20 mins each but to half hourly each, considering the 308 is one of ANE's alleged "goldmines". Not even some "short" runs between Billy Mill and Newcastle to maintain a common 10 minute service.

Will these changes be permanent or just temporary?

Are the recent service reductions solely down to driver shortages or is there 'other' things (i.e ageing fleets)?

For Arriva to reduce the 306 & 308 not just to every 20 mins each but to half hourly each, considering the 308 is one of ANE's alleged "goldmines". Not even some "short" runs between Billy Mill and Newcastle to maintain a common 10 minute service.

Will these changes be permanent or just temporary?

Temporary

The East Durham college services have been confirmed for the 2021/22 academic year - this year will see the addition of an ED5 from Darlington to Houghall, followed by a new ED3 from Houghall to Peterlee and return in the afternoon. 

Full timetable available here.

Look forward to seeing you driving buses in the town then.

Got through the medical yesterday so it looks like you probably will do by around September. I'll be the slightly balding grumpy one, about 40 ish.

Not sure if it's a cock up on the Nexus site, I know the X12 has reduced its timetable but looking at its departures from Durham on a weekday

The first Newcastle bound departure is 09.13 (the previous 5 run Boro-Durham only)

But the first departures out of Newcastle are at 07.05, 08.15 and 09.20

What operates those first 3 departures, are they light runs to pick up from Newcastle?

Not sure if it's a cock up on the Nexus site, I know the X12 has reduced its timetable but looking at its departures from Durham on a weekday

The first Newcastle bound departure is 09.13 (the previous 5 run Boro-Durham only)

But the first departures out of Newcastle are at 07.05, 08.15 and 09.20

What operates those first 3 departures, are they light runs to pick up from Newcastle?

Must be a mistake on the Nexus timetable as they all run from Durham to Newcastle in service before heading back to Durham (and on to Middlesbrough)

From August 29th all Sapphire 7 journeys will return to serving Durham Gate on all journeys following passenger feedback. The service will also have 3 journeys extend to/from Framwellgate Moor on weekday afternoon's (in term time at least)

These changes will seemingly add an extra bus into the PVR, supposedly one bus will do the new ED5 college run.

Service 3 in Darlington also has a service change from the same date.

Apparently the X21/X22 and 306/308 are back to normal frequency from 29th August (weekdays at least).

Apparently the X21/X22 and 306/308 are back to normal frequency from 29th August (weekdays at least).

I've heard the same. Interestingly the 35, which the X21/22 are interworking with, is meant to be staying every 30 mins. I'd imagine it'll mean the 35 goes back to being standalone and the B7TLs don't have to work the X21/22 every day as at present.

Apparently the X21/X22 and 306/308 are back to normal frequency from 29th August (weekdays at least).

From the same date I understand operators currently working Arriva services via ARTS have been served notice and this work will be operated by Arriva once again.


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Are Arriva going to lose dominance on the Coast Road longer term? Arriva reducing to a 15/30 minute service with GNE maintaining a 6-7 / 20 minute service will surely be damaging in some way.

Arriva used to the be primary driver in terms of vehicle investment particularly on the 308 (E400s in 2007, VDL DB300s in 2012, Volvo B5LH in 2013) but now that even seems to be going the opposite way with GNE not only having recently refurbished the B9TLs but also looking at submitting a bid for EVs.

Arriva reducing to a 15/30 minute service with GNE maintaining a 6-7 / 20 minute service will surely be damaging in some way.

Did you decide against reading the post 3 above yours?