(04 Jul 2014, 3:58 pm)V514DFT wrote Dont know if its rare or odd but 4511 serving X9 this afternoon

(06 Jul 2014, 5:56 pm)alanf wrote I dont know if its a first but a gas bus was on a X66 this afternoon leaving Middlesbrough at aout 4pm I was stuck at some lights so couldnt get the number

(06 Jul 2014, 5:56 pm)alanf wrote I dont know if its a first but a gas bus was on a X66 this afternoon leaving Middlesbrough at aout 4pm I was stuck at some lights so couldnt get the number

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The buses will be used on Arriva Northumbria's service 308, a frequent trunk service operating daily
to connect Blyth with Newcastle City Centre, via Whitley Bay, North Tyneside General Hospital and
Willington. The town centre area where the service originates in Blyth has been designated an Air
Quality Management Area by Northumberland County Council and Blyth Valley District Council, with
transport emissions identified as a key source of pollutants. The route also operates into the
Newcastle City Council Air Quality Management Area, which was extended beyond the city centre
to include key access routes, including that utillised by the 308. Within the city centre, the
conversion of this service would assist in reducing the concentration of emissions at Haymarket Bus
Station. The service provides important links into North Tyneside General Hospital, which would
also benefit from the reduced emissions produced by the new buses. This is a very high mileage
service [Information redacted under Section 41(1) of the Act], which maximises the benefit to
emissions levels from the use of hybrid buses. If successful, consideration will be given to
converting similar trunk services into Newcastle. The proposal has the full support of Nexus and
Northumberland County Council, both of whom have provided letters of support, which are included
within the printed packs.

Performance data submitted to DfT shows the funded buses to have been
operating solely on route 308 from Blyth to Newcastle as specified in the bid.

The operational data provided to DfT show no abnormality in terms of the route
used by the Green Bus Fund buses.

(10 Jul 2014, 7:12 pm)aureolin wrote Regarding the Coastliner B5LHs often spending a lot of time away from the 308.

I thought it was worth making a few enquiries to the DfT under the freedom of information act. The DfT have been most helpful, but I was quite surprised at the response. I'll keep my thoughts to myself for now.

(10 Jul 2014, 7:37 pm)Tom wrote I think its disgusting.
They could get the buses taken off them or a huge fine for that.

(10 Jul 2014, 7:39 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote The press would love to get their hands on a story like that.

(10 Jul 2014, 7:34 pm)Dan wrote Most worrying - does this mean that Arriva North East are claiming that the B5LHs are being exclusively allocated to service 308, when the reality differs?

(10 Jul 2014, 7:35 pm)citaro5284 wrote So my question is.....are Arriva telling porkie pies to the DfT and what are the penalties for doing so.....

(10 Jul 2014, 7:39 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote The press would love to get their hands on a story like that.

(10 Jul 2014, 9:24 pm)aureolin wrote I'd say so. Being a legal response to an FOI and based on the dictionary definition of 'solely'. Indicates that there's a bit of a communication breakdown doesn't it? Enthusiasts photographing B5LHs off route on a daily basis.


I think it's what is called a "communication breakdown" in the commercial world. It would certainly appear from the FOI response that the data isn't being recorded, whether that be by the operator or the DfT.


I think we all know that it's certainly not "solely". Why would there be so many enthusiast photos of them off route if that's the case? It's something that needs further investigation in my opinion. If it's as others are suggesting, then it certainly doesn't do the case for QCS any harm...

(10 Jul 2014, 10:00 pm)G-CPTN wrote Is it not, perhaps, that the questions haven't been asked - so the answers haven't been given?

A case of "Don't ask - don't tell . . . " ?

The question surely is "Are not-green-vehicles being used on routes that were stipulated to be green vehicles (whilst the green vehicles are being used elsewhere when they should be running on the designated route)?"

2) Could you provide me with details of how much use the funded vehicles have seen on routes other than specified in the winning bid? I understand that operators have to provide this information on a weekly or monthly basis to the DfT.

3) Could you advise whether the DfT view the data provided in 2) to be abnormal from what the department would expect to see?

(10 Jul 2014, 10:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote Attached is what comes from the DfT.

(10 Jul 2014, 10:31 pm)citaro5284 wrote Attached is what comes from the DfT.

(10 Jul 2014, 7:34 pm)Dan wrote Most worrying - does this mean that Arriva North East are claiming that the B5LHs are being exclusively allocated to service 308, when the reality differs?

(12 Jul 2014, 2:04 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 1514 on X66

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