(14 Sep 2016, 11:34 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote I went for a run out to Berwick today using the X15 and the X18

X15 to Berwick was 7518, wasn't too bad on the flats but once it started going up hill then that when it started to struggle, other than that it was a pretty decent ride

X18 to Newcastle was 7514, absolutely outstanding, didn't really put  one thing wrong, driver managed to make up 15 minutes at one point

Preferred 7514 out of the 2 journeys but now the 09 plates are starting to be a bit worse for wear really

(15 Sep 2016, 6:07 am)NK53 TKT wrote I agree that the wear on the 09s is increasing, the best one is 7515..

(15 Sep 2016, 4:46 pm)mb134 wrote Are you joking?! 7515 could barely cope with the X21 the last time I got it. 

7514 is probably the best from that batch in my opinion, handled the X18 with ease last time it was my ride (about a month ago).

(16 Sep 2016, 12:32 pm)Designline wrote just spotted YK08 ERO in ashington depot. any reason why this is here I thought they where for blyth

(18 Sep 2016, 12:51 pm)Designline wrote I has been agreed by Arriva north east that they are taking a large number of VLA buses to replace and upgrade services to max, sapphire and frequenta spec these will or should be here in late November

(18 Sep 2016, 12:51 pm)Designline wrote I has been agreed by Arriva north east that they are taking a large number of VLA buses to replace and upgrade services to max, sapphire and frequenta spec these will or should be here in late November

(18 Sep 2016, 2:01 pm)Kuyoyo wrote I don't think we'll see any more London cascades this year - especially considering not all of the last lot are in service yet! Also the fact that once all of 7416-27 are in service refurbished (7416 is due to go back shortly), the entire double decker fleet will comply with the DDA Guidelines means there's no need for any more deckers transfer in. Plus don't forget there's still Stockton and Redcar's Frequenta repaints to complete as well as other refurbishments to do, there's no need for any extra stock to come from London just yet.

(18 Sep 2016, 3:55 pm)Designline wrote I have previously been working at Whitby depot on cover for a staff member off ill and there is a list of depots that are receiving these buses

(18 Sep 2016, 3:55 pm)Designline wrote I have previously been working at Whitby depot on cover for a staff member off ill and there is a list of depots that are receiving these buses

(18 Sep 2016, 4:28 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Can I ask why would a small depot such as Whitby would be the first to receive any info on matters like this?

(18 Sep 2016, 4:35 pm)Designline wrote I don't know as I dot make those decisions and I am not from the north east area I am from arriva southend I am whitbys emergency replacement

(18 Sep 2016, 4:33 pm)Kuyoyo wrote More than likely, that will be the ones that arrived back in Feburary that are still undergoing refurbishment - all of which are for Durham apart from the 2 that are at Redcar.

(18 Sep 2016, 4:35 pm)Designline wrote I don't know as I dot make those decisions and I am not from the north east area I am from arriva southend I am whitbys emergency replacement

(18 Sep 2016, 4:18 pm)GX03 SVC wrote I've heard rumours that they are getting new buses......6 or 7 for Ashington.......

(18 Sep 2016, 5:42 pm)mb134 wrote Can't tell whether or not this is sarcastic. If not, 6 or 7 for Ashington doesn't make an awful lot of sense to me, 8 or 9 meanwhile would surely mean the end of 7501-9 on the X21/22.

I guess 6 or 7 for Ashington could replace the 4 used on the X15, and the other 3 could be new for the 35 to accompany Streetlites.

(18 Sep 2016, 5:34 pm)Y935 ERG wrote Can I smell..... BS?....

(18 Sep 2016, 5:47 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote What about the X20?

I'd say the B7TLs are more urgent to replace than 7501-09.
The B7TLs can then be cascaded to other routes or become spares.


The PVR is also a similar number too...

(18 Sep 2016, 5:47 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote What about the X20?

I'd say the B7TLs are more urgent to replace than 7501-09.

(18 Sep 2016, 5:54 pm)mb134 wrote I'm not sure how much the X20 would justify brand new vehicles. Also, the '6 or 7' new vehicles has me stumped, as the only routes Ashington have that fit that perfectly are the X18 or the 35. The 35 has 3 vehicles that are only 2 years old, so would only need another 3, and I'm not sure they need to replace 7529-33 on the X18 for a good few years yet.

7529-33 to the X20 could be a possibility, if the X18 receives another 6 brand new vehicles. Or, 4 new E400's for the X15, with 7511-4 going onto the X20.

(18 Sep 2016, 5:50 pm)Designline wrote I think I know what my jobs is and where I live and what I am doing thank you

(18 Sep 2016, 6:14 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Could be merely to get rid of the reliability problem that comes with the running the route.

The X18 is a popular route though, And the seawater got the better of the 57 reg Lowlanders that ran them for a few years, So they could be replacing them to make sure they can be used for a few more years elsewhere without problems.

Hopefully something turns up though  

(18 Sep 2016, 5:54 pm)mb134 wrote I'm not sure how much the X20 would justify brand new vehicles. Also, the '6 or 7' new vehicles has me stumped, as the only routes Ashington have that fit that perfectly are the X18 or the 35. The 35 has 3 vehicles that are only 2 years old, so would only need another 3, and I'm not sure they need to replace 7529-33 on the X18 for a good few years yet.

7529-33 to the X20 could be a possibility, if the X18 receives another 6 brand new vehicles. Or, 4 new E400's for the X15, with 7511-4 going onto the X20.