(17 Jan 2016, 7:24 pm)R852 PRG wrote So in other words; WRONG!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

(16 Jan 2016, 7:40 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Well, knowing Arriva and their mix / match allocations, although not all of the 57 plate Sapphires at Ashington aren't complete and utter wrecks although there are some, I think that Arriva would most likely end up buying a whole new set of deckers for the 7 (10 required) if the 7 went fully double deck anytime soon with:

- 7534 to 7537 alongside 7540 transferring to Ashington meaning that the X21 / X22 would end up running with 7x 14 plate E40Ds, 5x 15 plate E40Ds, 1x 09 plate E40D and 2x 57 plate E40Ds with 2x or 3x 57 plates being kept as spare with the rest either going scrap, being sent around the country or staying in the region but moving to Darlo / Belmont as spares (although the 7 does have some low bridges where the full height E40D might not manage to get through according to Kuyoyo).

Not forgetting to mention though that this is based upon ADL stopping production of the Classic E400 bodywork and all E40Ds being the MMC version which will eventually happen at somepoint. Having the MMC and Classic operating on the same routes would be a bit shite and it's best to keep the vehicle types on a premium route the same or very similar for that matter. So although in theory it may be a good idea just to buy 8x new vehicles for the X21 / X22 (unless Classic bodywork), buying an additional 2x would allow a whole route to benefit from the same new vehicle type which in this instance, it would be the 7.

Of course, all of the above would depend upon:
- Further passenger growth on the 7
- Need for more single deck Sapphire spec vehicles either in the North East or nationally.


Note to mods: No propaganda to get the 57 plates shifted but would be the most likely option knowing Arriva.

(19 Jan 2016, 4:49 pm)palatine3833 wrote Knowing Arriva, they totally let the side down yesterday (Durham depot in particular), they had all 13 6-branded Sapphires on the 6.  Completely disgraceful if you ask me.

Darlington put up a much better show of course, MAX Omnicity and Frequenta Solo on the 1/5A

(19 Jan 2016, 5:39 pm)Jimmi wrote Not sure on everything that went wrong with Darlington's allocations yesterday, but I believe that the Frequenta Solo on the 1/5/5A/19 yesterday went out on the 09:30 5A from Darlington Town Centre possibly because the bus which was meant to be on that run was running 15 minutes late, although said bus that was late was 21/X21 branded EcoCity 4814 so Lord knows why that was on there.

If you think Darlington was bad yesterday, Redcar had Sapphire 1440 and 1560 on the 22/64/64A whilst 1434 was on the X3.

Stockton put 1444 out at 11:05 with a few swaps of MAX X12 Pulsar's seemingly to ensure the service was leaving Middlesbrough on-time rather than keep the branded buses on running around 20 minutes late. MAX spare 1415 was on Sapphire 5/5A as I don't think some of the StreetLite's were on the road.

Belmont are usually okay with Sapphire allocations on Monday - Saturday's although what's the deal with some of the non Sapphire allocations on the 22 on some Sundays recently?

(20 Jan 2016, 2:55 pm)GX03 SVC wrote 7412 will receive full MAX branding tonight, along with 7413 and 7414.

Either 7413 or 7414 will be attending the MAX launch tomorrow, and the last non-MAX vehicle will be 7481, which will be unable to be replaced due to the launches in both the morning and afternoon.

---

7415 is operating the 1415 Ashington to Alnwick X20 service. 7412 is operating the 1445 Ashington to Newcastle X20 service.

(20 Jan 2016, 6:02 pm)Jimmi wrote 1906 now in service at Darlington, operating service 12/12A today.
https://flic.kr/p/CnMVuf

(20 Jan 2016, 6:04 pm)DanPicken wrote How long will it be at Darlo?

(20 Jan 2016, 6:38 pm)peter wrote According to the Sheffield Omnibus Enthusiast Society, it has been sold to Yorkshire Tiger (as opposed to loaned) along with 1909 and 1912, so presumably, not very long!

(21 Jan 2016, 7:28 am)jaimzm wrote sorry about asking this i know its already been asked when the MAX launch

(21 Jan 2016, 7:28 am)jaimzm wrote sorry about asking this i know its already been asked when the MAX launch

(21 Jan 2016, 2:43 pm)GX03 SVC wrote 7415 attended the MAX launch at Woodhorn today. The launch had started at revised times, due to the expected low attendance at 1100 instead of 1120.

Only four members of the public, including me and my mam, attended this event. Over 30 schoolchildren attended from Bothal Middle School.

There was a second launch at Bothal Middle School, this afternoon, which wasn't open to the public.

(20 Jan 2016, 5:22 pm)BusLoverMum wrote What's the betting that it's going to be the full 10 work days before I get a reply from Arriva? I#ve not even had an acknowledgement.

(21 Jan 2016, 4:14 pm)Cock Robin wrote They brought the launch forward from 1120 to 1100 "due to the expected low attendance"?! How do they know how many people were on their way to attend at 1120?!

(22 Jan 2016, 4:01 pm)tyresmoke wrote 4652 is just leaving Darlington now on 1550 X26 to Colburn. Will then work 1652 X26 to Darlington and 1755 X26 to Catterick Bridge.
Now in MAX livery & refurbished interior
It's replaced 4650

(18 Jan 2016, 6:25 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Further movements on an amended version:

1101 transferred to Yorkshire Tiger, 1103 moved from disposal to 'Under Repair'
4722 moved into active fleet at Redcar, displacing 4513 to Disposal
1906 is formally listed at Darlington
7416/7 move from reserve to Under Repair
7413 now on fleet strength as 'Under Repair'