(16 Sep 2015, 12:58 pm)Jimmi wrote One annoying thing about e-leather seating, when you move the seats make a noise, annoyingly someone on this 7 can't sit still and the noise is infuriating.

(15 Sep 2015, 9:46 pm)Diamond One wrote Where I am right now maybe the North East could introduce this idea of having bike racks on the front of the bus

(16 Sep 2015, 1:18 pm)GX03 SVC wrote The new '14 E400s at Ashington don't have the problem. But the '57s do.

(16 Sep 2015, 1:20 pm)GX03 SVC wrote I see the demand for bike racks like.......

Look at the 'Lime' vehicles, never a cyclist on board. 

If they want to come on board just fold the bike, OR RIDE IT YOU LAZY GIT. 

(16 Sep 2015, 1:20 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Every time I've caught the 7, it's been deathly quiet, even when half full. Quite odd. Everyone on the 22 is usually too chatty to be able to hear farty seats

(16 Sep 2015, 1:21 pm)Jimmi wrote The Sapphire Pulsars and E400's creek like hell when people move about loads, this bloke is doing my head in now, even more so when I decided to move slightly causing a bit creeking and he's just turned round with a rather angry looking stare.

(16 Sep 2015, 1:29 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Might be worth turning your music up

Dealing with random starers and glarers is probably easy when you have the confidence to look them in the eye and say hello or ask if everything is OK. I understand that you find that incredibly difficult, though. Having a boy who stims and shrieks a lot, I've had to become a bit of a pro at dealing with people who are taken by surprise by us or else I'd never dare leave the house with him.

(02 Feb 2016, 12:20 am)James101 wrote I was interested today to see the differences in Sapphire spec in North Wales to the North East.

Today I was on Arriva North Wales 4637 which was delivered (and presumably built) around the same time as the E400s for Durham & Darlington last year.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/111243429@N03/15053446461/

This photo shows to superior 1 + 2 seating which is another level of comfort, surpassing National Express coaches. What can just be made out on the far left of the single seat is a solid leather arm rest made possible by the seat not being mounted right up against the wall of the saloon. This touch adds so much! These are marvellous, however I still found the Stagecoach Gold E300 marginally more comfortable.

(02 Feb 2016, 12:20 am)James101 wrote I was interested today to see the differences in Sapphire spec in North Wales to the North East.

Today I was on Arriva North Wales 4637 which was delivered (and presumably built) around the same time as the E400s for Durham & Darlington last year.

https://www.flickr.com/photos/111243429@N03/15053446461/

This photo shows to superior 1 + 2 seating which is another level of comfort, surpassing National Express coaches. What can just be made out on the far left of the single seat is a solid leather arm rest made possible by the seat not being mounted right up against the wall of the saloon. This touch adds so much! These are marvellous, however I still found the Stagecoach Gold E300 marginally more comfortable.

(02 Feb 2016, 1:07 pm)Jimmi wrote I'm guessing in the North East we went with quantity rather than quality in our Enviro 400's, especially as the ones for the 7 where they were purchased for additional capacity, so it probably wouldn't be best getting Enviro 400's that probably would be licensed to carry around the same number of passengers as the Pulsars they replaced, although the E400's would obviously have a higher seating capacity and lower standing capacity. Not sampled Stagecoach Gold yet but the seats seem the same as the Enviro 400 MMC demonstrator GNE trialled last year, which is what I think Arriva should have gone with for their MAX and Sapphire buses.

(02 Feb 2016, 1:35 pm)Dan wrote These seats are heavier. I may be wrong, but I believe that the installation of these seats would result in the operator not being able to claim an enhanced rate of BSOG payment, due to the increased total weight of the vehicle.

Providing better quality seats may be able to be justified for some services, but I highly doubt it. I would expect this is why Go North East and Arriva North East stick to Esteban Civic V3 seating as their most 'luxurious' seating type.

(02 Feb 2016, 1:07 pm)Jimmi wrote I'm guessing in the North East we went with quantity rather than quality in our Enviro 400's, especially as the ones for the 7 where they were purchased for additional capacity, so it probably wouldn't be best getting Enviro 400's that probably would be licensed to carry around the same number of passengers as the Pulsars they replaced, although the E400's would obviously have a higher seating capacity and lower standing capacity. Not sampled Stagecoach Gold yet but the seats seem the same as the Enviro 400 MMC demonstrator GNE trialled last year, which is what I think Arriva should have gone with for their MAX and Sapphire buses.

(02 Feb 2016, 2:54 pm)James101 wrote I wonder if the extra weight is offset by there being less seats overall on the vehicle? I've not done a count but there was clearly less seats on the Gold spec e300s compared to standard Stagecoach. 

The corridor these buses run on is served by 10 buses per hour and appeared to run as a 'walk-on' service Chester whereby as one bus departed the next pulled up out of layover to load. Although running less departures with higher capacity buses would be more economical, it could be argued that the combination of high spec interior plus ultra frequent Departures is more appealing to motorists opting to be first time bus users. Maybe this is the thinking behind this 'quality over quantity' and it may pay off in the long term

(02 Feb 2016, 3:22 pm)I\m Andreos1 wrote Pump priming a service is certainly not a new thing, but a massive gamble when doing it with high spec vehicles.

(04 Apr 2016, 10:50 am)James101 wrote I've noted that during trentbarton's refresh of their indigo brand they've re-upholstered the seats from leather to fabric following customer feedback that the leather was unpopular. Are customers beginning to see through the leather being offered as a upgrade when in reality it's a cost saving through reduced cleaning time?

(04 Apr 2016, 10:52 am)BusLoverMum wrote I rather like the leather because I can see exactly how grubby or wet the seat is.

(04 Apr 2016, 10:50 am)James101 wrote I've noted that during trentbarton's refresh of their indigo brand they've re-upholstered the seats from leather to fabric following customer feedback that the leather was unpopular. Are customers beginning to see through the leather being offered as a upgrade when in reality it's a cost saving through reduced cleaning time?

(04 Apr 2016, 1:34 pm)James101 wrote May be opening a can of worms here....why do you like urban90s?

(04 Apr 2016, 11:34 am)Andreos1 wrote They're like a magnet for pasty crumbs!

(04 Apr 2016, 1:34 pm)James101 wrote May be opening a can of worms here....why do you like urban90s?

(04 Apr 2016, 4:44 pm)Adrian wrote A lot of it depends on the padding in the seats. I find the eLeather is more comfortable once it's been worn in a bit, but I don't think there's anywhere near enough back cushion to be comfortable, when we're talking about Civic V2 or Civic V3 seating.

I had a ride out on Transdev's 36 service last week, taking the section between Harrogate and Leeds. The new Volvo B5TL/Gemini 3s that they have are fitted with proper leather coach seats upstairs, and leather Civic V3s downstairs. Whilst I didn't sample the seats downstairs, I did find the coach seats upstairs to be extremely comfortable. They are proper high back seats too - i.e. they still serve a purpose if you've above 5ft tall.


Transdev Harrogate & District: 3619 / BL65YYS by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr


Transdev Harrogate & District: 3619 / BL65YYS by Matthew Jimmison, on Flickr

(04 Apr 2016, 4:47 pm)NK53 TKT wrote Nah, don't like leather seats I just find them cold and squeaky

(04 Apr 2016, 4:13 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I like firm seats, the best are on GNE 619 and Arriva 1799 in my opinion, I don't know why though. The worst type of seats are bench style ones.

(04 Apr 2016, 4:13 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I like firm seats, the best are on GNE 619 and Arriva 1799 in my opinion, I don't know why though. The worst type of seats are bench style ones.