Arriva North East: Latest News & Discussion - March 2014

[James Moss Mccrossan]

so who is getting the Volvo B7TL's

[tyresmoke]

so who is getting the Volvo B7TL's

They're down to go to Durham (6) and Ashington (3), though this will be dependent on the results of a trial on the X93. Withdrawn as a result will be DAF DB250's 7459-64 and Olympian 7367, Spectras 7482/3

[Roland Pratt]

Ridiculous replacing the low floor deckers at Durham. Why couldn't they give them to Northumberland to replace their three remaining Prestiges and three could have replaced B10BLEs to replace Prestiges at Stockton.

[tyresmoke]

Ridiculous replacing the low floor deckers at Durham. Why couldn't they give them to Northumberland to replace their three remaining Prestiges and three could have replaced B10BLEs to replace Prestiges at Stockton.

It would only be a temporary move and I'm not sure 3 months will make a huge difference - ultimately the new deliveries for Jesmond will enable the above moves to happen but we shall wait and see.

[NK05 GWZ]

It will be a shame to see the 6 DLA's leave, despite what people think of them they are pretty good! But I suppose they are getting old so....

[Tom]

They're down to go to Durham (6) and Ashington (3), though this will be dependent on the results of a trial on the X93. Withdrawn as a result will be DAF DB250's 7459-64 and Olympian 7367, Spectras 7482/3

I suppose the B7's they could be used on the 35 as a upgraded?

[Adrian]

Very bumpy ride on 1463. Feels like the gearbox is having a few problems. Hopefully it'll be looked at once Jenson Button is finished with it.

[Jimmi]

Sapphire 1518 has a fuel leak in Durham Bus Station, so we've had to be transferred onto the next no. 7.

It was pretty much an all out war between the passengers who were on 1518 and the people queuing in the Bus Station to get onboard.

[tyresmoke]

I suppose the B7's they could be used on the 35 as a upgraded?

Don't think there will be enough...

First one to be identified is 7484 LJ51DHP at Ashington.
6 are intended to be used on X93 I am told.

[Adrian]

Don't think there will be enough...

First one to be identified is 7484 LJ51DHP at Ashington.
6 are intended to be used on X93 I am told.

Have these been converted to single door?

[Dan]

Have these been converted to single door?

Looking at photos I've previously given links to (such as this one), it looks like they have.

[Dan]

Don't think there will be enough...

First one to be identified is 7484 LJ51DHP at Ashington.
6 are intended to be used on X93 I am told.

Photograph above is copyright to Alex Kennedy.

[Tom]

Don't think there will be enough...

First one to be identified is 7484 LJ51DHP at Ashington.
6 are intended to be used on X93 I am told.

So if six are to be used on the X93, where will the ADL 400's go? Possibly Ashington?

[Michael]

Road Closure 10th March - July 2014 - A695 bridge works at Dilston, between Corbridge and Hexham
From 10th March until July 2014 the A695 at Dilston Bridge, between Corbridge and Hexham, is closed for construction. Bus services 85/X85 will be diverted and run non stop between Corbridge and Hexham Bus Station.
In order to provide a replacement service for the A695 between Corbridge and Hexham, a replacement shuttle bus runs hourly, as close as possible to the east side of the bridge, the centre of Corbridge, Hexham Bus Station. The shuttle bus runs hourly between approx 0730 and 1800 on Mondays and Saturdays.
You can download the timetable for the shuttle bus below

http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/uploadedFiles...ilston.pdf

Edit: Please note the timetable isn't even working on their site

[Kuyoyo]

So if six are to be used on the X93, where will the ADL 400's go? Possibly Ashington?

The plan is that 7501-4/12/3 move back to Ashington, that was the only concrete plan. Ashington would then likely lose 6 older DDA-spec deckers to Durham to replace 7459-64.

[Davey Bowyer]

Photograph above is copyright to Alex Kennedy.

An ex London B7TL will not stand a chance on the X93. GNE's ex London Volvo B7TL'S struggle badly on the X21!

[G-CPTN]

An ex London B7TL will not stand a chance on the X93. GNE's ex London Volvo B7TL'S struggle badly on the X21!

Could they change the final-drive ratio (or would that be a step too far)?

[Davey Bowyer]

Could they change the final-drive ratio (or would that be a step too far)?

With the exception of a Palatine 2, no 13 year old double deck would be able to cope with a route like the X93. If Arriva want to get some muscle on the X93, the 4 57 reg Lowlanders from Ashington will be perfect. They've seen better days but with a thorough maintenance check, they'll do just fine!

Arriva need to look at what is being used on long distance and endurance services. A 6.7l ISBE engined bus designed for yoir typical Killi to Chapel House / North Walbottle will not cope and certainly not a 13 year old ex London bus.

Arriva should've taken opportunity of Euro 5 and ordered a load of 310bhp B9TL Gemini's for the X10, X11, X15, X18, X21, X22 and X93. The only problem GNE has had with theirs has been the gearing ratios on the TTX but otherwise, they haven't done too badly and if Arriva had've bought them, they would get 5 years of good service with only the odd breakdown on the X15 / X18, and 7 years of good service on the rest mentioned with very few breakdowns.

[Adrian]

Arriva should've taken opportunity of Euro 5 and ordered a load of 310bhp B9TL Gemini's for the X10, X11, X15, X18, X21, X22 and X93. The only problem GNE has had with theirs has been the gearing ratios on the TTX but otherwise, they haven't done too badly and if Arriva had've bought them, they would get 5 years of good service with only the odd breakdown on the X15 / X18, and 7 years of good service on the rest mentioned with very few breakdowns.

And finance them how? You're talking 20+ new buses at a guess, and there's not infinite money to throw around at every problem.

[Kuyoyo]

And finance them how? You're talking 20+ new buses at a guess, and there's not infinite money to throw around at every problem.

Exactly - the X93 might be in line for new vehicles next year depending how it does this summer. And as has been said, it might not be B9TLs for the X18 anyway - it might all change several times between now and the vehicles being delivered. The only reason the X21/X22 is gaining new E400s is to match the stock that is to be refurbished for the routes (which are E400s).