You need to enable JavaScript to run this app.

Skip to main content

Arriva North East: Latest News & Discussion - July 2014

Arriva North East: Latest News & Discussion - July 2014

RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(17 Jul 2014, 10:01 pm)mb134 wrote According to a comment on the Arriva North East Facebook page the event will be at Newbiggin Maritime Centre between 11 and 1 Smile

Matches what I have been told too

Forum Moderator   | Let us know if you have any issues

Service Manager, Coatham Connect

Site Administrator
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
Although I had originally thought all examples for Stockton had now arrived, 1557 seems to be the last example which has not been delivered - see photograph here.
Site Administrator
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(17 Jul 2014, 8:20 pm)Tom wrote Got the photo yet?

[Image: 14495763480_51ecac23b8.jpg]Arriva North East: 2845 / YJ58CAU by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

[Image: 14495764050_ba4292c470.jpg]Arriva North East: 2845 / YJ58CAU by danielgrahamm, on Flickr


And, just to follow on from Scott's post last night...

[Image: 14679672064_282d353037.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
[Image: 14495781778_9f7aca127c.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
[Image: 14682038825_01f73bc720.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Scott mentioned that there was one less seat on the Streetlite than originally suggested by the vehicle specification. Not only does the shot below show the reason why this is so, but it also shows the e-leather seating and power socket availability on-board, just two of the perks provided on Sapphire.
Unlike the Pulsars on Sapphire service 7, the seats are in the usual 2+2 configuration, opposed to 2+1.

[Image: 14495576147_ae360b5441.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr


Scott and I both felt that the cab was very basic, with shots being shown below:

[Image: 14495387769_eddf908369.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
[Image: 14701935013_e7038fe504.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
[Image: 14495386829_22e6d9fcae.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
[Image: 14495578377_4e1acfcc79.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

And for those of you who like to know the mechanics behind the bus operation, here's a look under the hood...

[Image: 14679238961_b3459f8b3d.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
[Image: 14659424976_d287420b49.jpg]Arriva North East: 1556 / NK14GGO by danielgrahamm, on Flickr
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
[quote='Dan' pid='52771' dateline='1405672996']


And, just to follow on from Scott's post last night...


Scott mentioned that there was one less seat on the Streetlite than originally suggested by the vehicle specification. Not only does the shot below show the reason why this is so, but it also shows the e-leather seating and power socket availability on-board, just two of the perks provided on Sapphire.
Unlike the Pulsars on Sapphire service 7, the seats are in the usual 2+2 configuration, opposed to 2+1.



Pulsars on the 7 aren't 2+1 are they?!
Site Administrator
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(18 Jul 2014, 11:10 am)Roland Pratt wrote Pulsars on the 7 aren't 2+1 are they?!

At least the first few seats are - on the off-side - in a similar kind of fashion to the first seat on the disabled/buggy bay as shown on the Streetlite on the above interior shot.
I've only been on the 7 once or twice, but I certainly remember sitting next to the emergency exit on a single seat.

EDIT: See photo below.
[Image: 14320320489_8239a4741b.jpg]Arriva North East: 1515 / NL63VRK by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Four sets of 2+1.
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(18 Jul 2014, 11:23 am)Dan wrote At least the first few seats are - on the off-side - in a similar kind of fashion to the first seat on the disabled/buggy bay as shown on the Streetlite on the above interior shot.
I've only been on the 7 once or twice, but I certainly remember sitting next to the emergency exit on a single seat.

EDIT: See photo below.
[Image: 14320320489_8239a4741b.jpg]Arriva North East: 1515 / NL63VRK by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Four sets of 2+1.

Ah right. I've only sat near the back. Thought it wasn't 2+1 there!
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(18 Jul 2014, 11:23 am)Dan wrote At least the first few seats are - on the off-side - in a similar kind of fashion to the first seat on the disabled/buggy bay as shown on the Streetlite on the above interior shot.
I've only been on the 7 once or twice, but I certainly remember sitting next to the emergency exit on a single seat.

EDIT: See photo below.
[Image: 14320320489_8239a4741b.jpg]Arriva North East: 1515 / NL63VRK by danielgrahamm, on Flickr

Four sets of 2+1.

The seating layout on the Sapphire Pulsars are stupid, nothing will fit in the pushchair space on the drivers side and the only wide space seats are the priority seats, also everytime I've got on in Darlington recently I've had to stand at least as far as Morrisons because there's only 40 seats rather than the usual 44 seats.
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(18 Jul 2014, 11:53 am)Wellsey18 wrote So when these vehicles are cascaded in the future will they be painted into the regular arriva colours and kept the same spec inside?


Good question!
Site Administrator
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(18 Jul 2014, 11:53 am)Wellsey18 wrote So when these vehicles are cascaded in the future will they be painted into the regular arriva colours and kept the same spec inside?

I'm not sure on the answer, but to add to the discussion...

Surely if the interior specification remains to Sapphire-spec, then the exterior will too?
Depending on when they actually go come off the 7, I'd imagine that they'd simply be given a mid-life refurbishment and repaint to freshen it up and so they could re-apply branding (for whatever service gains the Pulsars).

As Arriva has launched - and no doubt will continue to launch - Sapphire, Max, and standard specification on their new vehicles this year, it seems unlikely to me that the present Sapphire specification will ever become the standard specification. Usually, you don't see corporate liveried vehicles with technology ahead of branded vehicles (for those operators that do go down the branding route).

Go North East, on the other hand, will eventually have buses with free Wi-Fi (MAX equivalent, minus the e-leather seating) in corporate livery - because they plan this from the start. Likewise, the same could be said about buses with free Wi-Fi and power sockets (Sapphire equivalent, again minus the e-leather seating).

Obviously this won't happen until the vehicles are at least ten years old, by which time I'd imagine technology would have evolved even further to allow for more technology on-board buses - and Arriva will no doubt come up with another step up from Sapphire to complement this technology.
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
223 (V223PCX) has turned up at Stockton as expected, engineering have it inside at the moment so no pic sadly!
Training Volvo B10B K401HWW is on loan to Stockton in exchange for 9993 (V212DJR) today too.
.jpg image.jpg

Forum Moderator   | Let us know if you have any issues

Service Manager, Coatham Connect

Site Administrator
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(18 Jul 2014, 12:40 pm)tyresmoke wrote 223 (V223PCX) has turned up at Stockton as expected, engineering have it inside at the moment so no pic sadly!
Training Volvo B10B K401HWX is on loan to Stockton in exchange for 9993 (V212DJR) today too.

With thanks to Richard Smiles who has revealed further information on this...

The allocation for 20th July shows the following movements:
  • 2848: Darlington - Jesmond (NHS PVR increase)
  • 4663: Durham - Jesmond (releasing 4653 for MAX refurbishment)
  • 1712: Reserve - Blyth (allowing 4045 to go for disposal - a temporary movement for the MAX programme)
  • 1711: Reserve - Darlington (allowing 2848 to transfer to Jesmond)
  • 220: Yorkshire - Durham (for a PVR increase due to bridge closure)
  • 221: Yorkshire - Durham (allowing 4663 to transfer to Jesmond)
  • 223: Yorkshire - Stockton (releasing 4959 for MAX refurbishment)

In addition, the following vehicles have been sold:
4005, 4072, 7361, 7367, 1002 ,4002, 4003, 4065, 4066, 4070, 4091
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(18 Jul 2014, 1:30 pm)Dan wrote With thanks to Richard Smiles who has revealed further information on this...

The allocation for 20th July shows the following movements:
  • 2848: Darlington - Jesmond (NHS PVR increase)
  • 4663: Durham - Jesmond (releasing 4653 for MAX refurbishment)
  • 1712: Reserve - Blyth (allowing 4045 to go for disposal - a temporary movement for the MAX programme)
  • 1711: Reserve - Darlington (allowing 2848 to transfer to Jesmond)
  • 220: Yorkshire - Durham (for a PVR increase due to bridge closure)
  • 221: Yorkshire - Durham (allowing 4663 to transfer to Jesmond)
  • 223: Yorkshire - Stockton (releasing 4959 for MAX refurbishment)

In addition, the following vehicles have been sold:
4005, 4072, 7361, 7367, 1002 ,4002, 4003, 4065, 4066, 4070, 4091


Anyone know if 4091 was cannibalised at Jesmond? Its the only one of the 8 to have left Redcar.
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(19 Jul 2014, 9:35 am)jaimz13 wrote What bus normally do 34 in Ashington

It's allocated a Spectra but in reality any double deck

Forum Moderator   | Let us know if you have any issues

Service Manager, Coatham Connect

RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(19 Jul 2014, 9:42 am)tyresmoke wrote It's allocated a Spectra but in reality any double deck

Although on Saturdays, it's more than likely to be a B10BLE.
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
To answer some questions that have been asked over emails regarding the Yorkshire MPDs:

223 at Stockton arrived with Brightech LED screens fitted - although the Depot has previously had vehicles fitted with that type of screen (1761 originally and 4030), the equipment to update it is no longer there, as such it is to be fitted with the Hanover Flip Dot Screen previously fitted to ex-Yorkshire DAF 4091
220/1 at Durham have Hanover LED screens from their days in Yorkshire
Site Administrator
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(20 Jul 2014, 9:29 am)Kuyoyo wrote To answer some questions that have been asked over emails regarding the Yorkshire MPDs:

223 at Stockton arrived with Brightech LED screens fitted - although the Depot has previously had vehicles fitted with that type of screen (1761 originally and 4030), the equipment to update it is no longer there, as such it is to be fitted with the Hanover Flip Dot Screen previously fitted to ex-Yorkshire DAF 4091
220/1 at Durham have Hanover LED screens from their days in Yorkshire

That was me! Tongue

Thanks to Richard Smiles for the information as ever, of whom sent me the e-mail to confirm that this morning at 6am... Hadn't realised he'd copied a few people in!
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
(20 Jul 2014, 9:44 am)Dan wrote That was me! Tongue

Thanks to Richard Smiles for the information as ever, of whom sent me the e-mail to confirm that this morning at 6am... Hadn't realised he'd copied a few people in!

Likewise, as I'd received the fleet list information separately on Friday (along with a separate document detailing day-to-day allocation breakdown).

As for the destination equipment - I was informed of 223's screen change on Friday afternoon, at the same time I researched the other 2 (having only previously photo'd 223 during their time in Yorkshire) to discover they had Hanover screens, typical of Yorkshire's mix of screen types (for example, 7482/3 were the only 2 of their Spectras to be fitted with Hanover screens - the rest all have Brightech).
RE: Arriva North East - Latest
Metro replacement cover between North Shields and Shiremoor provided by Arriva today with an input from Ashington, Blyth and Jesmond using 7515, 7625, 7624, 7471, 7474, 7467, 7521 & 7445.