There's one for GNE but not Arriva but Jesus I haven't been on the Geminis in the rain for awhile at Blyth. 7611 I'd a complete mess with numerous seats down stairs currently out of use including the whole back row because of water pouring in from places I don't even know where it's coming from. 

Took pics in the attachments, shocking. Bring me a Class 156 or even Class 142 than this crap. 

Ps . There was no-one else on at the time so I don't look a nutter haha. 

(10 Sep 2023, 3:49 pm)Storx wrote There's one for GNE but not Arriva but Jesus I haven't been on the Geminis in the rain for awhile at Blyth. 7611 I'd a complete mess with numerous seats down stairs currently out of use including the whole back row because of water pouring in from places I don't even know where it's coming from. 

Took pics in the attachments, shocking. Bring me a Class 156 or even Class 142 than this crap. 

Ps . There was no-one else on at the time so I don't look a nutter haha. 

Was it pouring in from the ceiling like it used to on the Omnidekkas?

(10 Sep 2023, 3:54 pm)streetdeckfan wrote Was it pouring in from the ceiling like it used to on the Omnidekkas?

Aye it's coming from like between the panels pretty on the whole right hand side of downstairs. 

Like I could understand it getting in there upstairs (hole in the roof) but not downstairs and then just pouring in at the back right. 

I've never used the omnidekkas so not 100% sure where it comes from on there.

The WiFi works though for people who give a damn about that stuff ?

(10 Sep 2023, 4:01 pm)Storx wrote Aye it's coming from like between the panels pretty on the whole right hand side of downstairs. 

Like I could understand it getting in there upstairs (hole in the roof) but not downstairs and then just pouring in at the back right. 

I've never used the omnidekkas so not 100% sure where it comes from on there.

The WiFi works though for people who give a damn about that stuff ?

On the Omnidekkas it would just piss in between any panel in the ceiling, I never really sat downstairs so can't say what it was like down there.

Perhaps the floor drains upstairs were blocked (filed with paper like they are on pretty much all the Streetdecks) and it was seeping in through the flooring?

(10 Sep 2023, 4:14 pm)streetdeckfan wrote On the Omnidekkas it would just piss in between any panel in the ceiling, I never really sat downstairs so can't say what it was like down there.

Perhaps the floor drains upstairs were blocked (filed with paper like they are on pretty much all the Streetdecks) and it was seeping in through the flooring?

Aye possibly like. Honestly it seemed like it had got into the heating system somehow, not sure mind but they're all corroded on the outside so no doubt a hole somewhere.

Fleet within arriva is a shambles.

Only good thing is new MMc deckers and mini buses.
Serious investment needs to happy soon before things they get worse.

The engineering team needs serious looking at to get these vehicles back on the road

idk why it was re-named Arriva State of The Fleet, seems a bit pointless you know because its in the Arriva North East section

(10 Sep 2023, 8:09 pm)Unber43 wrote idk why it was re-named Arriva State of The Fleet, seems a bit pointless you know because its in the Arriva North East section

If you view the site by looking at Unread Posts, it just gives a list of the thread titles without saying which part of the site that thread is from - having the operator name, or some abbreviation which denotes it, is quite useful.

(10 Sep 2023, 3:49 pm)Storx wrote There's one for GNE but not Arriva but Jesus I haven't been on the Geminis in the rain for awhile at Blyth. 7611 I'd a complete mess with numerous seats down stairs currently out of use including the whole back row because of water pouring in from places I don't even know where it's coming from. 

Took pics in the attachments, shocking. Bring me a Class 156 or even Class 142 than this crap. 

Ps . There was no-one else on at the time so I don't look a nutter haha. 

And people moaned about the N*** OTY Cityzens doing the same. At least they had nice comfy coach seating.

---

(10 Sep 2023, 8:02 pm)Ryland wrote Fleet within arriva is a shambles.

Only good thing is new MMc deckers and mini buses.
Serious investment needs to happy soon before things they get worse.

The engineering team needs serious looking at to get these vehicles back on the road

There probably will be investment.....but Arriva need to see how things play out with the ABTRL before splashing out.

Wouldn't surprise me if the next Blyth order was to be some StreetDecks with a side batch of some 6-Cylinder examples for the X93/X94.

(10 Sep 2023, 9:34 pm)L469 YVK wrote And people moaned about the N*** OTY Cityzens doing the same. At least they had nice comfy coach seating.

---

There probably will be investment.....but Arriva need to see how things play out with the ABTRL before splashing out.

Wouldn't surprise me if the next Blyth order was to be some StreetDecks with a side batch of some 6-Cylinder examples for the X93/X94.

They trialled the 6-cylinder version for a while at Ashington, but still bought the E400.

I don't think Wrightbus products are the preferred products for Arriva and would expect more MMC's in all honesty.

(11 Sep 2023, 7:00 am)RobinHood wrote They trialled the 6-cylinder version for a while at Ashington, but still bought the E400.

I don't think Wrightbus products are the preferred products for Arriva and would expect more MMC's in all honesty.

I didn't realise the Merseyside examples had the 6-cylinder engine - I was sure they are just standard 4-cylinder ones and the only 6-cylinder example on the UK mainland is 6377.

(11 Sep 2023, 8:30 am)Kuyoyo wrote I didn't realise the Merseyside examples had the 6-cylinder engine - I was sure they are just standard 4-cylinder ones and the only 6-cylinder example on the UK mainland is 6377.

You could well be correct on that, I assumed the ANW ones were like for like for the basis of the trial, but I think the general thoughts was that the Wrightbus product was just not suitable (performance and build quality).

(10 Sep 2023, 4:01 pm)Storx wrote Aye it's coming from like between the panels pretty on the whole right hand side of downstairs. 

Like I could understand it getting in there upstairs (hole in the roof) but not downstairs and then just pouring in at the back right. 

I've never used the omnidekkas so not 100% sure where it comes from on there.

The WiFi works though for people who give a damn about that stuff ?

I witnessed the same water ingress in the lower deck at the back with the Geminis when we last had heavy rain. AFIK there are external intake vents around there that might be a contributory factor. The Geminis do seem to be having corrosion issues around the windows to boot. I can't imagine the sheer amount of ingress you seen would do much good for the bodywork, mechanical hardware or electronics in the area either.

They have served us well, though like their predecessors, they have been worked very hard with apperently peacemeal maintenance and now it's showing.

(11 Sep 2023, 12:32 pm)RobinHood wrote You could well be correct on that, I assumed the ANW ones were like for like for the basis of the trial, but I think the general thoughts was that the Wrightbus product was just not suitable (performance and build quality).

The demo that Arriva trialled at Ashington was a 4-Cylinder example as the 6-Cylinder (6377) wasn't available until around COVID.

To be honest, Blyth's work would cope fine with a StreetDeck and likewise.....they'd more likely get a good deal throwing in some 6-Cylinder examples for the X93/X94 in addition to an order for Blyth.

(11 Sep 2023, 4:03 pm)solsburian wrote I witnessed the same water ingress in the lower deck at the back with the Geminis when we last had heavy rain. AFIK there are external intake vents around there that might be a contributory factor. The Geminis do seem to be having corrosion issues around the windows to boot. I can't imagine the sheer amount of ingress you seen would do much good for the bodywork, mechanical hardware or electronics in the area either.

They have served us well, though like their predecessors, they have been worked very hard with apperently peacemeal maintenance and now it's showing.

Aye possibly could be actually, and it's just getting above the panels somehow. Feel sorry for whoever poor sole unexpectly lifts one as I wouldn't be surprised if there's pooling water above them.

Mind the maintence in general seems to be decreasing in recent months, with open panels all over the place which should be simple fixes but just not being done.

(11 Sep 2023, 7:30 pm)Storx wrote Aye possibly could be actually, and it's just getting above the panels somehow. Feel sorry for whoever poor sole unexpectly lifts one as I wouldn't be surprised if there's pooling water above them.

Mind the maintence in general seems to be decreasing in recent months, with open panels all over the place which should be simple fixes but just not being done.

I think its understaffing and vehicle shortages.

GNE is the worst for the quality change, it used to be one decal was missing it would be ordered and fixed or change if it was ripped straight away now it takes them best part of two years and theyve still not unbranded 3 year old buses

(11 Sep 2023, 5:50 pm)L469 YVK wrote The demo that Arriva trialled at Ashington was a 4-Cylinder example as the 6-Cylinder (6377) wasn't available until around COVID.

To be honest, Blyth's work would cope fine with a StreetDeck and likewise.....they'd more likely get a good deal throwing in some 6-Cylinder examples for the X93/X94 in addition to an order for Blyth.

Why would they buy an oddball batch of StreetDecks when they are standardising on E400 MMCs? They have engineering experience with the E400, it's far more common across the country so parts availability will likely be better down the line, and they're more than capable on any work thrown at them. They'd also probably get a good deal from ADL given they generally buy as part of a national order?

The 6-cylinder variant hasn't been ordered by anyone other than GNE AFAIK? Why would they back themselves into a corner by ordering a unique batch for the X93/94, when they could just buy some MMCs which have shown themselves as capable of handling the route?

They trialled the StreetDeck, and as reported earlier found it to be poor with regard to build quality. If you look at the reports recently about the Angel batch, you'd say that judgement is probably correct.

(11 Sep 2023, 8:07 pm)mb134 wrote Why would they buy an oddball batch of StreetDecks when they are standardising on E400 MMCs? They have engineering experience with the E400, it's far more common across the country so parts availability will likely be better down the line, and they're more than any work thrown at them. They'd also probably get a good deal from ADL given they generally buy as part of a national order?

The 6-cylinder variant hasn't been ordered by anyone other than GNE AFAIK? Why would they back themselves into a corner by ordering a unique batch for the X93/94, when they could just buy some MMCs which have shown themselves as capable of handling the route?

They trialled the StreetDeck, and as reported earlier found it to be poor with regard to build quality.If you look at the reports recently about the Angel batch, you'd say that judgement is probably correct.

Performance of the demo that was tested out on the X93 wasn't great either especially on the hilly portions especially round Robin Hoods Bay when I sampled it on there, seemingly 7575/6 have faired better so especially with it being a standard type within Arriva, E400MMCs would make the most sense if/when they decide to order brand new replacements for the X93/X94.

Certainly sounds as if E400MMCs will continue to be the decker of choice, although this depends on if the rumours of the 48/X46 being upgraded at Belmont are actually true.

(11 Sep 2023, 8:22 pm)Jimmi wrote Performance of the demo that was tested out on the X93 wasn't great either especially on the hilly portions especially round Robin Hoods Bay when I sampled it on there, seemingly 7575/6 have faired better so especially with it being a standard type within Arriva, E400MMCs would make the most sense if/when they decide to order brand new replacements for the X93/X94.

Certainly sounds as if E400MMCs will continue to be the decker of choice, although this depends on if the rumours of the 48/X46 being upgraded at Belmont are actually true.

Does it even need new buses, not sure if there's any difference between them but I wouldn't be more surprised if they bought new buses for Ashington instead and sent the 17 plates to Whitby. Bar the B9's the X93/X94 rarely gets investment, second hand Omnicities, second hand Enviro 400's etc.

(11 Sep 2023, 9:04 pm)Storx wrote Does it even need new buses, not sure if there's any difference between them but I wouldn't be more surprised if they bought new buses for Ashington instead and sent the 17 plates to Whitby. Bar the B9's the X93/X94 rarely gets investment, second hand Omnicities, second hand Enviro 400's etc.

I think, if even to take stress away from the rest of the Redcar fleet, it's more beneficial to supply the X93 with new vehicles rather than hope 7 year old MMCs which have been flogged on express routes for 7 years straight still have it in them. 

I'd say they are arguably more in need than Durham, and the B9s could replace the remaining B7s there for the time being?

(11 Sep 2023, 9:08 pm)mb134 wrote I think, if even to take stress away from the rest of the Redcar fleet, it's more beneficial to supply the X93 with new vehicles rather than hope 7 year old MMCs which have been flogged on express routes for 7 years straight still have it in them. 

I'd say they are arguably more in need than Durham, and the B9s could replace the remaining B7s there for the time being?

Guess it depends on £££. If the Ashington or Durham routes make more money then arguably they'll go higher on the pecking order. From memory they only got the B9's because they basically begged for them and it was a very last minute decision hence the dealer stock and at the time there was nothing in the fleet that realistically could go on there.

Don't disagree with it, in reality, but this is the same company who thinks fixing the minibus problem at Ashington is by sending more and more of the same type of minibus with the same problems over and over again, with a spare which has a completely inappropiate capacity.

The Solos are going to probably end up having double their PVR needed just to keep them on the road

Sadly while they're still trying to sell the bus operation, there's going to be very little investment. Likely essential moves only. That will be why they're just sending more Solo's to Ashington and hope they can keep running until the required investment is somebody else's problem.

(11 Sep 2023, 9:42 pm)Shrek wrote Sadly while they're still trying to sell the bus operation, there's going to be very little investment. Likely essential moves only. That will be why they're just sending more Solo's to Ashington and hope they can keep running until the required investment is somebody else's problem.

Something needs to be done though. It is bad enough they are given new E200s just for them to be swapped with the same old junk. The whole "robbing Peter to pay Paul" needs to stop. Hopefully a buyer will be found soon (i.e I-Squared) which might spurn investment, and a visible management structure, after the sale.

(11 Sep 2023, 10:00 pm)solsburian wrote Something needs to be done though. It is bad enough they are given new E200s just for them to be swapped with the same old junk. The whole "robbing Peter to pay Paul" needs to stop. Hopefully a buyer will be found soon (i.e I-Squared) which might spurn investment, and a visible management structure, after the sale.

They really need the sale to happen soon. Any buyer will be coming in with the intention of improving the business to maximise profits and should be well aware of the required investment. Fingers crossed for some positive news soon.

(11 Sep 2023, 10:07 pm)Shrek wrote They really need the sale to happen soon. Any buyer will be coming in with the intention of improving the business to maximise profits and should be well aware of the required investment. Fingers crossed for some positive news soon.

Absolutely. The longer it drags on the worst it will get as well. The recent North Tyneside changes suggest to me that the operators are more than willing to nip at the feet of Arriva, and perhaps that will continue if no progress is made with the sale, in North Tyneside and elsewhere possibly (Tees valley?).

(11 Sep 2023, 10:37 pm)solsburian wrote Absolutely. The longer it drags on the worst it will get as well. The recent North Tyneside changes suggest to me that the operators are more than willing to nip at the feet of Arriva, and perhaps that will continue if no progress is made with the sale, in North Tyneside and elsewhere possibly (Tees valley?).

I doubt Arriva will let any other routes go in North Tyneside. The rest of the old Jesmond operation which remains is profitable and they will need to keep all the profitable routes to maximise any sale. If GNE or Stagecoach started sniffing around any of them, I expect Arriva would make those routes priority to hold them. The 51-55 were less profitable and the cost of investment to keep them running just made no sense. GNE and Stagecoach had the necessary resources so can make them profitable and get good PR from them too.

(12 Sep 2023, 7:52 am)Shrek wrote I doubt Arriva will let any other routes go in North Tyneside. The rest of the old Jesmond operation which remains is profitable and they will need to keep all the profitable routes to maximise any sale. If GNE or Stagecoach started sniffing around any of them, I expect Arriva would make those routes priority to hold them. The 51-55 were less profitable and the cost of investment to keep them running just made no sense. GNE and Stagecoach had the necessary resources so can make them profitable and get good PR from them too.

But....if Arriva struggle for drivers at Blyth once any ex Walkergate staff take their £££ and head to Stagecoach or GNE, I could possibly see them give up the 306 (depending if Arriva could interwork the 308 with something else).

Would actually fit in perfectly for Stagecoach becuase if they kept the evening 54/354 tender, the evening 306 could perfectly be interworked albeit with a small amount of dead running to either North Shields or Whitley Bay.

(12 Sep 2023, 1:15 pm)L469 YVK wrote But....if Arriva struggle for drivers at Blyth once any ex Walkergate staff take their £££ and head to Stagecoach or GNE, I could possibly see them give up the 306 (depending if Arriva could interwork the 308 with something else).

Would actually fit in perfectly for Stagecoach becuase if they kept the evening 54/354 tender, the evening 306 could perfectly be interworked albeit with a small amount of dead running to either North Shields or Whitley Bay.

Why would they want to give up their partial control of the Coast Road. No way will they give up the 306. It's one of the few bus routes they have that 100% won't be affected by the new rail line. The X7-X11/X20-X22 have the potential to be a complete mess when the rail line comes in depending on what happens.

I saw a post on facebook shared from Hinderwell Parish Council commenting on complaints made to the DVSA regarding Whitby/Redcar buses, and encouraging unhappy passengers of the X4 to give feedback to csccomplaints@dvsa.gov.uk

I've no idea how much of a problem these things are to Arriva, or if such dealings with the DVSA are routine.