Arriva North East: Rare & Odd Workings - February 2015

(31 Jan 2015, 11:58 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Trust me - if it's one thing the Streetlites can manage it's hills (if they can manage Lythe Bank, Saltburn Bank and Loftus Bank then they can manage any). Also, the rumour is the 75/76 is going MAX using 3 of 1404-7, plus 1493 might be returning home to Stockton as it hasn't been fitted with the Next Stop system (of course, if it comes back to Stockton - it will likely get fitted with it anyway for 15s).

I think Streetlites are quite deceptive, but it will ultimately depend on how they're set up.

I've not used Arriva's Streetlite Micro-Hybrids on the Sapphire services down on Teesside yet, but I did ride one of Go North East's normal Streetlites when it was on loan to Stanley Depot to test suitability on the Lime 8 / 78 routes. Aside from the A19 stretch (which isn't too steep a gradient in itself), the Streetlite coped alright on the entire 8 route (Stanley - Sunderland). If Streetlites have been ordered for the Lime, it's a good job that service 8 no longer uses said A19 stretch!

Imagine the banks you refer to are a lot steeper than any of the banks on the route of the Lime, though.

(01 Feb 2015, 12:10 am)Dan wrote I think Streetlites are quite deceptive, but it will ultimately depend on how they're set up.

I've not used Arriva's Streetlite Micro-Hybrids on the Sapphire services down on Teesside yet, but I did ride one of Go North East's normal Streetlites when it was on loan to Stanley Depot to test suitability on the Lime 8 / 78 routes. Aside from the A19 stretch (which isn't too steep a gradient in itself), the Streetlite coped alright on the entire 8 route (Stanley - Sunderland). If Streetlites have been ordered for the Lime, it's a good job that service 8 no longer uses said A19 stretch!

Imagine the banks you refer to are a lot steeper than any of the banks on the route of the Lime, though.

Very - all 3 are 1 in 4 gradients. Plus Loftus Bank is after a decent down from Carlin How (down Carlin How Bank - also a steep bank). They also have to contend with Ormesby Bank and they manage that at 30mph fine. Stockton and Redcar's have also all recently had their gearboxes re-mapped.

(01 Feb 2015, 12:17 am)Kuyoyo wrote Very - all 3 are 1 in 4 gradients. Plus Loftus Bank is after a decent down from Carlin How (down Carlin How Bank - also a steep bank). They also have to contend with Ormesby Bank and they manage that at 30mph fine. Stockton and Redcar's have also all recently had their gearboxes re-mapped.

That was mainly to solve issues with smoothness of the gear changes, although they do pull away better now too. As much as everybody moans about them I don't think they're a bad buy. Would still have preferred Pulsars but obviously we couldn't get them.

(01 Feb 2015, 9:11 am)tyresmoke wrote That was mainly to solve issues with smoothness of the gear changes, although they do pull away better now too. As much as everybody moans about them I don't think they're a bad buy. Would still have preferred Pulsars but obviously we couldn't get them.

The gear changes were fine, when someone from Wright came to Ashington (he did the 35 route) to show an Ashington and two Jesmond drivers how to drive the StreetLites properly, he changed the gears smoothly, it was only the case of getting the drivers trained?

(01 Feb 2015, 9:18 am)Tommy_1581 wrote The gear changes were fine, when someone from Wright came to Ashington (he did the 35 route) to show an Ashington and two Jesmond drivers how to drive the StreetLites properly, he changed the gears smoothly, it was only the case of getting the drivers trained?

They're not great on the examples allocated to Durham - at first I assumed it was down to lack of training (especially as the drivers were honking their horns and all sorts by accident), but then I guessed it was just the Micro-Hybrid set up.

The lower gear changes are all over the place though, but they're fine once you get the speed up a bit.

(01 Feb 2015, 9:23 am)Dan wrote They're not great on the examples allocated to Durham - at first I assumed it was down to lack of training (especially as the drivers were honking their horns and all sorts by accident), but then I guessed it was just the Micro-Hybrid set up.

The lower gear changes are all over the place though, but they're fine once you get the speed up a bit.

The horn is to do with the way you start them (secret button) - if you don't know then you could be sat there a while trying to figure it out haha

(01 Feb 2015, 9:11 am)tyresmoke wrote That was mainly to solve issues with smoothness of the gear changes, although they do pull away better now too. As much as everybody moans about them I don't think they're a bad buy. Would still have preferred Pulsars but obviously we couldn't get them.

I hope that the Streelites for X1 are remapped before they enter service and that the driver's are trained by Wrightbus and lessons have been learnt

Why are manufacturers and operators so obsessed with economy? Why can't they just build decent buses without all the gimmicks that:

- Are powerful and well powered
- Built like a tank a bullet proof
- Go like a stink
- And don't breakdown all the time

(01 Feb 2015, 1:02 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Why are manufacturers and operators so obsessed with economy? Why can't they just build decent buses without all the gimmicks that:

- Are powerful and well powered
- Built like a tank a bullet proof
- Go like a stink
- And don't breakdown all the time

FUEL COSTS. No addition money for bus operators, biggest outlay for bus companys, so anything they can do to reduce the cost they will always choose. so bus manufacturers arent going to build something nobody will buy. Arriva at Jesond have are busy installed fuel saving programme to the pulsars, meaning they are now limited to 50mph.

(01 Feb 2015, 1:51 pm)gne_4993 wrote FUEL COSTS. No addition money for bus operators, biggest outlay for bus companys, so anything they can do to reduce the cost they will always choose. so bus manufacturers arent going to build something nobody will buy. Arriva at Jesond have are busy installed fuel saving programme to the pulsars, meaning they are now limited to 50mph.

Not only have jesmond done this, Darlington have now joined in, all the sapphire pulsars are limited to 50mph and maybe some of the others are too, I've been on sapphire all week but haven't had the time to test out the others 

(01 Feb 2015, 2:42 pm)Stuart Phin wrote Not only have jesmond done this, Darlington have now joined in, all the sapphire pulsars are limited to 50mph and maybe some of the others are too, I've been on sapphire all week but haven't had the time to test out the others 

I believe it is fleet wide on the Pulsars. Being introduced type by type across Arriva.

1406 on 1/5.

Yay no deafening announcements!

(02 Feb 2015, 1:17 pm)Jimmi wrote 1406 on 1/5.

2863 on 1/5A.

1312 on the 6.

(02 Feb 2015, 1:17 pm)Jimmi wrote 1406 on 1/5.

1767 is also on the 1/5.

1416 departed from its usual haunt of the 22 (Sunderland - Durham) and, instead of being allocated to the X12/X2, was allocated to the 48 today: https://flic.kr/p/r2Ho84

(02 Feb 2015, 4:53 pm)Dan wrote 1416 departed from its usual haunt of the 22 (Sunderland - Durham) and, instead of being allocated to the X12/X2, was allocated to the 48 today: https://flic.kr/p/r2Ho84

It's done pretty much everything but the X12/X2.

I've seen it on the 22, 24, 43, 46/48 and it was reported to be operating the Sapphire 7 one day last week.

Enviro200 1321 paid a visit to the X2 today. Photo below by C522LGR
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/75698454@N08/16427254371/

Looks like it had a failure of sort at Chester-le-Street.

(02 Feb 2015, 7:08 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Enviro200 1321 paid a visit to the X2 today. Photo below by C522LGR
https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/75698454@N08/16427254371/

Looks like it had a failure of sort at Chester-le-Street.

Like the ''in just 55 minutes'' on the blind. 

(02 Feb 2015, 7:10 pm)Tom wrote Like the ''in just 55 minutes'' on the blind. 

Looks like they're trying to increase passenger numbers by promoting how long it takes to use that over other services! Quite clever really - providing people notice it on the display!

I agree - would make for a good photo.

(02 Feb 2015, 7:27 pm)Dan wrote Looks like they're trying to increase passenger numbers by promoting how long it takes to use that over other services! Quite clever really - providing people notice it on the display!

I would like to see Arriva promote the X2 more as I think there could be potential to increase the numbers if more people are made aware of it's existence as some people have been stood in say Chester and jumped on an X2 on the basis that it goes to Newcastle that weren't aware of its existence.

I'd like to see a MAX launch somewhere local to the X2 route as a Stockton launch is hardly going to draw attention to people in Durham, Chester, Birtley etc. If it is possible I think Durham Cathedral would be a good place to do a launch as it would be local to the X2 and also the X12.

(02 Feb 2015, 7:43 pm)Jimmi wrote I would like to see Arriva promote the X2 more as I think there could be potential to increase the numbers if more people are made aware of it's existence as some people have been stood in say Chester and jumped on an X2 on the basis that it goes to Newcastle that weren't aware of its existence.

I'd like to see a MAX launch somewhere local to the X2 route as a Stockton launch is hardly going to draw attention to people in Durham, Chester, Birtley etc. If it is possible I think Durham Cathedral would be a good place to do a launch as it would be local to the X2 and also the X12.

I think the MAX branding will seriously improve the X2 for some reason.

I reckon passengers being able to identify the route of Durham to Newcastle (pretty important link to be honest) under the MAX brand, and not just the generic Arriva fleet livery, will be a huge boost to it. Also, all the features of MAX, must also add a bit of novelty to the service with commuters; and also possibly teens - they'll want a bus with Wi-Fi, although the 21 does already provide this.

I'm looking forward to seeing it when the brand is launched officially, and not just a couple of Pulsars running around in the base livery.

I agree with your point, Jimmi. I would like to go to the MAX launch, but I wouldn't travel to Stockton for it. Durham Cathedral (the lighting provided there would be ideal) would be a great location, I couldn't think of one to surpass this.

I would think Chester-le-Street Market would be another good location - but with Arriva having such a small presence here I doubt that would be worth it...

(02 Feb 2015, 7:49 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote I think the MAX branding will seriously improve the X2 for some reason.

I reckon passengers being able to identify the route of Durham to Newcastle (pretty important link to be honest) under the MAX brand, and not just the generic Arriva fleet livery, will be a huge boost to it. Also, all the features of MAX, must also add a bit of novelty to the service with commuters; and also possibly teens - they'll want a bus with Wi-Fi, although the 21 does already provide this.

I'm looking forward to seeing it when the brand is launched officially, and not just a couple of Pulsars running around in the base livery.

I agree with your point, Jimmi. I would like to go to the MAX launch, but I wouldn't travel to Stockton for it. Durham Cathedral (the lighting provided there would be ideal) would be a great location, I couldn't think of one to surpass this.

I would think Chester-le-Street Market would be another good location - but with Arriva having such a small presence here I doubt that would be worth it...

Durham Cathedral would be good especially for publicity shots as if people see the photo of the bus and see the Cathedral in the background they will see a local resemblance so some don't think a library shot has been used from a different part of the country. Take the X93 launch the other week where the publicity shots had Whitby Abbey in the background people will love to see a local sight. I'm unsure publicity photos on Stockton High Street would hardly create "MAXimum Impact"

Not sure how much space there would be for a bus and Titan the Robot to be present at Chester Market. I think somewhere in Durham City would be best as if people who use other services that terminate in Durham they could be made aware of the launch and the X2.

(02 Feb 2015, 8:00 pm)Jimmi wrote Durham Cathedral would be good especially for publicity shots as if people see the photo of the bus and see the Cathedral in the background they will see a local resemblance so some don't think a library shot has been used from a different part of the country. Take the X93 launch the other week where the publicity shots had Whitby Abbey in the background people will love to see a local sight. I'm unsure publicity photos on Stockton High Street would hardly create "MAXimum Impact"

Not sure how much space there would be for a bus and Titan the Robot to be present at Chester Market. I think somewhere in Durham City would be best as if people who use other services that terminate in Durham they could be made aware of the launch and the X2.

Good point, although assuming the launch is in the evening - all the market stalls will be gone (bar a few blue selling points), but I could see maybe a few buses getting on.

Problem is - there are a few little plaques and things, with writing on - and these would prevent access of a bus. I'm trying to think of another way they could get on.

Not that it matters haha.

(02 Feb 2015, 8:02 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote Good point, although assuming the launch is in the evening - all the market stalls will be gone (bar a few blue selling points), but I could see maybe a few buses getting on.

Problem is - there are a few little plaques and things, with writing on - and these would prevent access of a bus. I'm trying to think of another way they could get on.

Not that it matters haha.

Why would they launch a bus in that dump? 

(02 Feb 2015, 8:03 pm)Tom wrote Why would they launch as bus in that dump? 

You could ask that about Stockton!

(02 Feb 2015, 8:09 pm)MarcTheA4 wrote You could ask that about Stockton!

Aye Stockton's just as bad. 

Imagine what a MAX launch would look like in Stanley. It would just be in the car park that used to be the old bus station.