Wasn't sure where to put this as the Rural Link Northumberland thread didn't seem appropriate.

Rural Link are seemingly growing their operations in Bishop Auckland beyond the 104, having been awarded the contract for new service 87 from Bishop Auckland to Toft Hill replacing Arriva's service 86 (see timetable attached). The 87 is virtually identical to the previous Arriva and GNE operation. Rural Link have been awarded the contract through to October 2026.

(05 Apr 2022, 9:41 am)peter wrote Wasn't sure where to put this as the Rural Link Northumberland thread didn't seem appropriate.

Rural Link are seemingly growing their operations in Bishop Auckland beyond the 104, having been awarded the contract for new service 87 from Bishop Auckland to Toft Hill replacing Arriva's service 86 (see timetable attached). The 87 is virtually identical to the previous Arriva and GNE operation. Rural Link have been awarded the contract through to October 2026.

Seemingly going the same way as Scarlet Band and will be covered by Hodgsons: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cainebj/52...1626304887

(03 Jul 2022, 10:34 pm)peter wrote Seemingly going the same way as Scarlet Band and will be covered by Hodgsons: https://www.flickr.com/photos/cainebj/52...1626304887

Rural Link withdrew from running the contract, Hodgsons are running the 87 on an interim basis until permanent arrangements are in place, during this time the service will run on a reduced timetable with first trip being the 07:36 from Toft Hill and last trip being the 17:26 from Bishop Auckland.

It seems like Rural Link's County Durham operations will be coming to an end from the 15th as they have cancelled the 104 (https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...ls/597121/). Does anyone know their reasoning for withdrawing from these contracts?

(12 Jul 2022, 3:46 pm)reymyster9 wrote It seems like Rural Link's County Durham operations will be coming to an end from the 15th as they have cancelled the 104 (https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...ls/597121/). Does anyone know their reasoning for withdrawing from these contracts?

Seems like they're binning off anything that uses a conventional bus, looks like Rural Link / L & B Travel will just be coaches and vans given services 613, 815, 882 & 885 which now all use vans will survive (seemingly interworking with scholars contracts).

EDIT: alleged to be down to critical driver shortages

No operator is currently able to take on the 104 atm so is currently suspended.

Does anyone know what Green Mountain Travel will be using on their services they are taking over from Rural Link?

(17 Jul 2022, 5:44 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Does anyone know what Green Mountain Travel will be using on their services they are taking over from Rural Link?

Probably passenger carrying vehicles like buses, for example.

Are the Eden still running any services around Bishop Auckland?

Green Mountain Travel have scholars services around Morpeth. So, they could use their school coaches or one of their Sprinters. They used to have a couple of Plasmas but they have now left the fleet.

Charles

(17 Jul 2022, 6:55 pm)Charles41 wrote Are the Eden still running any services around Bishop Auckland?

Green Mountain Travel have scholars services around Morpeth. So, they could use their school coaches or one of their Sprinters. They used to have a couple of Plasmas but they have now left the fleet.

Charles

No

All I know that they run now is a scholars from the school in Barnard Castle