(10 Apr 2020, 4:17 pm)omnicity4659 wrote MPDs are withdrawn at Ashington. StreetLites operating in their place.

(11 Apr 2020, 7:06 pm)mb134 wrote Both MPDs still being used by Ashington. Only things taken off there completely are the Volvos and Scanias AFAIK.

(12 Apr 2020, 3:05 pm)scanialover wrote I wonder just how many buses would be running if our government hadn't stepped in? I've just had to dash up and back to Durham from M'hro, collect some important documents and whilst we're grateful to Arriva and its staff there wasn't more than a good car full on three services. A Stockon based VDL took me north with 4 passengers. I was the only one in Darlington operated 1610 and 4804 (?) on the journey back !! Obviously all operators are to be commended for what they are doing but the question remains ? Would they if there wasn't the funding ?

(12 Apr 2020, 3:21 pm)scanialover wrote Interesting that Dan. I was under the impression, perhaps naively, that the funding package paid for everything. Maybe when you get chance you can enlighten us?

(12 Apr 2020, 4:17 pm)streetdeckfan wrote As far as I understand, and correct me if I'm wrong, the 'bail out' is only supposed to bridge the gap between the income and the costs of running the reduced services, so it essential allows them to break even.

Sent from my LM-G710 using Tapatalk

(12 Apr 2020, 3:05 pm)scanialover wrote I wonder just how many buses would be running if our government hadn't stepped in?  I've just had to dash up and back to Durham from M'hro, collect some important documents and whilst we're grateful to Arriva and its staff there wasn't more than a good car full on three services. A Stockon based VDL took me north with 4 passengers. I was the only one in Darlington operated 1610 and 4804 (?) on the journey back !! Obviously all operators are to be commended for what they are doing but the question remains ? Would they if there wasn't the funding ?

(22 Apr 2020, 4:27 pm)scanialover wrote Maybe try and get those in Arrivaland to come out and start talking? Our buses, not many of them admittedly, are still running and drivers still doing the very important job of keeping those who need to travel to do just that. Can't be easy? Be good to hear if anyone has anything to say about Arriva in the unprecedented and troublesome times

(22 Apr 2020, 4:27 pm)scanialover wrote Maybe try and get those in Arrivaland to come out and start talking? Our buses, not many of them admittedly, are still running and drivers still doing the very important job of keeping those who need to travel to do just that. Can't be easy? Be good to hear if anyone has anything to say about Arriva in the unprecedented and troublesome times

(23 Apr 2020, 5:36 pm)Rob44 wrote more changes from 26/4

Service i used when I was a young has gone to 2 hourly. Strange thing is my mate doesn't drive and is key worker and he says the service is getting bustier on a morning?

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/important-service-information---north-east/

(23 Apr 2020, 5:36 pm)Rob44 wrote more changes from 26/4

Service i used when I was a young has gone to 2 hourly. Strange thing is my mate doesn't drive and is key worker and he says the service is getting bustier on a morning?

https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/important-service-information---north-east/

(23 Apr 2020, 9:40 pm)BusLoverMum wrote Sounds like more support is needed.

(10 May 2020, 11:45 am)scanialover wrote A question please? Whilst our drivers and staff are doing such a brilliant job in these unprecedented times what gives them, an Arriva driver based at Darlington in particular, the right and responsibility to question, aggressively, people's reasons for travel? Yes we are working under the banner of essential travel only and would I wish to travel otherwise but to make what was a mercy dash to deliver medication to an elderly relative. Hell we'd spend the day previously sourcing this and to cap that we find some lowlife choses to vandalise our car. Did he honestly think I wanted to put myself and others at risk? If he'd been civil he'd have found out why and got my respect.

(10 May 2020, 11:45 am)scanialover wrote A question please? Whilst our drivers and staff are doing such a brilliant job in these unprecedented times what gives them, an Arriva driver based at Darlington in particular, the right and responsibility to question, aggressively, people's reasons for travel? Yes we are working under the banner of essential travel only and would I wish to travel otherwise but to make what was a mercy dash to deliver medication to an elderly relative. Hell we'd spend the day previously sourcing this and to cap that we find some lowlife choses to vandalise our car. Did he honestly think I wanted to put myself and others at risk? If he'd been civil he'd have found out why and got my respect.

(15 May 2020, 2:05 pm)Ryland wrote A question regarding redcar?

Noticed today the the 62 is operating via ings farm like it does on a Sunday did part of the time table change go ahead withdrawn the 64 from redcar or is it due to this virus

(27 May 2020, 11:26 am)Kuyoyo wrote Arriva service levels from 31st May
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/important-service-information---north-east/

(28 May 2020, 7:28 pm)Rob44 wrote My mate who is an essential worker uses the 43 44 45 route to get to new castle for work. Hes just told me tonight that for safety only 11 passengers on single decker and 20 on DD.  Driver left customers at gosford high street and regent centre due to bus being "full". 4 got off at broad way east.  Also the buses as every 2 hours so that would be a canny wait for those wanting to get to Brunswick or hazlerigg

(28 May 2020, 7:44 pm)mb134 wrote Possibly not the case in this instance, but I've heard multiple reports of key workers not being able to get on buses while pensioners are taking up seats while out for a jolly. To be fair throughout this the amount of people, particularly the elderly, who have been constantly breaking the rules is ridiculous. 

Hopefully the situation improves when services go back up on Monday - and equally hopefully the social distancing is relaxed to the WHO minimum 1M which will hugely increase bus capacity.

(27 May 2020, 11:26 am)Kuyoyo wrote Arriva service levels from 31st May
https://www.arrivabus.co.uk/coronavirus/important-service-information---north-east/

(27 May 2020, 3:49 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote By all accounts from Darlington’s end there’s some strange interworking patterns

One of which include doing a X1 to Tow Law and then a trip to Barnard Castle

(02 Jun 2020, 1:12 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Indeed, there appears to be quite a few odd interworkings across the region

Ashington have 35/X21/X22 (compared to the normal Sunday of 35/X21 and X22 being on its own)

(02 Jun 2020, 1:12 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Indeed, there appears to be quite a few odd interworkings across the region

Darlington have
X1/X75 (1 and 5 appear to be entirely standalone outside of peaks)
19s are interworking with the short 7s between the town centre and Harrowgate Hill
9/10/13A/13B

Stockton have just the two odd ones - 8s are interworking with 17/17a and 28/28a are interworking with 29s due to the reduced timetable on both

Durham have 49/49a/57/57a

Jesmond have 43/X16 (X16 running between Morpeth and Kirkhall only)
Ashington have 35/X21/X22 (compared to the normal Sunday of 35/X21 and X22 being on its own)
Blyth have 1/2 interworking

Of course, there's a few odd peak time and early morning workings - Stockton's includes a non-Sapphire allocation to the late 5s normally on the end of a 5A board (although most 5s are non-Sapphire as there's still only 3 Streetlites available for service).