(30 Jan 2021, 9:05 am)RobinHood wrote Arriva North West & Wales Wrexham depot is only reopening on the 1st Feb after some drivers came down with Covid plus many having to self isolate 
the Chester depot was able to cover a few services 


This paragraph is a real kick in the teeth to the guys working at Arriva in the commercial and schedules team, not to mention the operations team locally. Effectively suggesting that they acted too late suggests a sense to tardiness or lack of planning - however I know this is far from reality as I know the people doing that work.

The Operations team cannot run a bus without a driver. If drivers are being told to self isolate, they will do that that. The extent of services being pulled is the extent of drivers not available. It isn't a choice, its a requirement. Newcastle went from good to bad within 24 hours last weekend, absolutely nobody could have planned for that.

For perspective on the actual planning side of things, Arriva have 2 Network Managers (yes, just two!) for the entire network between Scarborough and Berwick. That's 2 people to basically replan every service and arrange headways and frequencies accordingly to get something sensible (these 2 people plan the changes, input the changes manually, register the changes, update the fare tables, create the local information, update destination screens and update NSA systems etc - it all runs through this tiny team). There are then another 2 people who will schedule the work and create the duties and rotas for each of the seven depots. In the background, these are also the same people are negotiating service levels with local authority leads (just 9 different authorities to have the same discussions with) and trade union reps internally across seven depots, but two different sets of pay schemes and therefore scheduling agreements to adhere to. It's a difficult job too juggle all of that normally, with a team that small.

Again, you don't know the situation or the politics that are in place - varying significantly between companies, internally. A view is simply made based on the output (or perceived lack of), which is far from reality and why I'm defending these people whom I know most of personally.

One thing I will agree on however, although not directly implied, is that Arriva have literally squeezed their local management and support functions to the bare minimum over the past 18 months and it shows when you compare reaction times now. I absolutely do not agree when it is suggested that Arriva simply haven't bothered to respond or acted too late. These guys are working 60 odd hour weeks to make up the difference compared to GNE and Stagecoach who have retained bigger local teams as part of their business plan and have the ability to repurpose very quickly.

(30 Jan 2021, 6:10 pm)mb134 wrote To go back to the initial topic of this thread, today:

7446 failed on the 35 early on, was replaced by 1580.
7512 failed at Alnwick at 14:00, prior to operating the X15 to Morpeth.
7517 was pulled off the X18 at Morpeth around 15:40, replaced by 1580 (which was replaced on the 35 by 7446 about an hour later).
7525 failed on the X21 early afternoon. It was last in service on Wednesday, where it failed on its second trip of the day.
7533 was replaced by 7528 on the X18 after failing just outside Morpeth in the early afternoon. It has since picked up an X21/22.
7542 failed(?) on the X21 at lunchtime. This board doesn't seem to have been picked up until 7533 went onto it at 15:30.
7554 was replaced by 7531 on the X18 just before 17:00 at Morpeth.
7555 made it to Newcastle and back to Ashington on the X20 this morning before being replaced by 7515.

In addition, 7527 was pulled off the X21/22 to replace 1580 on the X14, which was punted onto an X15 to replace 7512. 7517 picked up the board 7528 was taken off just before 17:00, meaning that missed a run to Newcastle and back.

Both 51-plate Volvos (7484/6) going strong on the 35s mind, so every cloud and all that...

I just do not see how Arriva/DB can look at that and think that investment is not needed, or that the engineering team at Ashington do not need serious help. Wonder how many times today the phrase "at least we're not effing Jesmond" was uttered at Ashington...

(30 Jan 2021, 7:58 pm)CC98507 wrote

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Arriva North West & Wales Wrexham depot is only reopening on the 1st Feb after some drivers came down with Covid plus many having to self isolate
the Chester depot was able to cover a few services

(30 Jan 2021, 8:56 pm)Jimmi wrote I believe 7542 was involved in an incident of some form today with 7556 also being involved in an incident yesterday too so now two buses down as a result.

7533 had an issue with a wheel whilst on the X18 (puncture possibly?)

(30 Jan 2021, 9:26 pm)mb134 wrote Even if we discount 7533 and 7542, that's still up to 6 failures today, one of which (7525) also failed on its last day in service.  Again, if this is a one off then it's understandable to an extent, but this many failures/swaps in a day on a consistent basis isn't a good sign.

(30 Jan 2021, 10:07 pm)Jimmi wrote These things just happen at times even after being worked on, one thing I don't think that helps is they can't ease them back into service by putting them on the 35 for a day or two as the 35 is stuck with a permanent allocation of unreliable sheds like 7445/6.

Investment is certainly needed up there now as the buses are showing their age now especially on the demanding X routes up and down the A1, Solos seem to be struggling now too and then there's the MPDs which must be getting on for doing 3 times more miles than they were intended to do.

There was suggestions of new deckers being on order for the X15/X18 and I think the X14 too but no clue what the deal is with this, speculation started around the time covid appeared then went quiet assuming the order had been cancelled, rumours started appearing again around the autumn time and shortly after it was alleged that they were being diverted to Leicester due to Euro 6 CAZ stuff there after the attempt to transfer E400MMCs from Southend was blocked from happening however I think they've since gotten round this by transferring B9s from Yorkshire which had been converted for the Leeds CAZ which has since been scrapped, so now the rumours are they're destined for the North East again.  Just speculation so all this may or may not be the case.

(30 Jan 2021, 10:07 pm)Jimmi wrote These things just happen at times even after being worked on, one thing I don't think that helps is they can't ease them back into service by putting them on the 35 for a day or two as the 35 is stuck with a permanent allocation of unreliable sheds like 7445/6.

Investment is certainly needed up there now as the buses are showing their age now especially on the demanding X routes up and down the A1, Solos seem to be struggling now too and then there's the MPDs which must be getting on for doing 3 times more miles than they were intended to do.

There was suggestions of new deckers being on order for the X15/X18 and I think the X14 too but no clue what the deal is with this, speculation started around the time covid appeared then went quiet assuming the order had been cancelled, rumours started appearing again around the autumn time and shortly after it was alleged that they were being diverted to Leicester due to Euro 6 CAZ stuff there after the attempt to transfer E400MMCs from Southend was blocked from happening however I think they've since gotten round this by transferring B9s from Yorkshire which had been converted for the Leeds CAZ which has since been scrapped, so now the rumours are they're destined for the North East again.  Just speculation so all this may or may not be the case.

(31 Jan 2021, 12:31 pm)mb134 wrote Agreed, though with 7525 it's the third time in 8 days it has failed (first time was last Friday on the X18 at Acklington). Obviously stuff can go bang at any time, I think anyone would be understanding of one off occurrences - but again it seems to be a common theme of them fixing something and it failing again shortly afterwards. On your point about 7445/6 I find it amazing that the 19 year old 7484, with its time in London and on the X93, is in better nick than both of them - especially 7445 (the less said about that heap the better). 7514 also looks to have failed yesterday on the X18 south of Seahouses.

Regarding the new vehicles, if I remember rightly the rumour was 12x E400 MMCs for the X14/5/8 which neatly ties into the combined PVR. I'd assume that the plan would be to keep 7529-33/7553-6 as the allocation for the X20, moving 7511/2/4-7 and 4653/9/64 to less demanding work.

(31 Jan 2021, 12:40 pm)Storx wrote Sorry to take the thread a bit of topic here but can't find it but what we're 7445/7446 originally bought for, I know they we're part of the Operation Overdrive at Durham but then ended up at Jesmond pretty much straight away to join the Tridents on the 306 (now they really were sheds) but can't find anything about which route they were for.

They've been crap for awhile though and were terrible when they used to be on the 56/57 circuit when Jesmond had it. The Olympians and B10BLE's we're miles ahead of them in power.

(31 Jan 2021, 12:48 pm)Jimmi wrote Bought as Operation Overdrive for Durham depot however it was then decided to more or less focus on only having deckers for scholars so got sent to Darlington depot instead for their 723 workings (Darlington to Framwellgate Moor, essentially what is now the 7) then of course it ended up at Jesmond before returning to Darlington for about 12 months a few years later with wraps/livery to celebrate 100 years of United then returning to North of the Tyne.

(31 Jan 2021, 12:31 pm)mb134 wrote Agreed, though with 7525 it's the third time in 8 days it has failed (first time was last Friday on the X18 at Acklington). Obviously stuff can go bang at any time, I think anyone would be understanding of one off occurrences - but again it seems to be a common theme of them fixing something and it failing again shortly afterwards. On your point about 7445/6 I find it amazing that the 19 year old 7484, with its time in London and on the X93, is in better nick than both of them - especially 7445 (the less said about that heap the better). 7514 also looks to have failed yesterday on the X18 south of Seahouses.

Regarding the new vehicles, if I remember rightly the rumour was 12x E400 MMCs for the X14/5/8 which neatly ties into the combined PVR. I'd assume that the plan would be to keep 7529-33/7553-6 as the allocation for the X20, moving 7511/2/4-7 and 4653/9/64 to less demanding work.

(31 Jan 2021, 12:40 pm)Storx wrote Sorry to take the thread a bit of topic here but can't find it but what we're 7445/7446 originally bought for, I know they we're part of the Operation Overdrive at Durham but then ended up at Jesmond pretty much straight away to join the Tridents on the 306 (now they really were sheds) but can't find anything about which route they were for.

They've been crap for awhile though and were terrible when they used to be on the 56/57 circuit when Jesmond had it. The Olympians and B10BLE's we're miles ahead of them in power.

(30 Jan 2021, 8:56 pm)Jimmi wrote I believe 7542 was involved in an incident of some form today with 7556 also being involved in an incident yesterday too so now two buses down as a result.

7533 had an issue with a wheel whilst on the X18 (puncture possibly?)

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High Peak in Derbyshire has practically has had to suspend almost every service they operate due to a large number of drivers being off with the few services they have been running has been doing so effectively on a Sunday timetable.

D&G, Hulleys of Baslow and Andrews of Tideswell have come to the rescue to cover some of the services that High Peak have suspended.

_

Last I heard Jesmond had 13 cases whilst Belmont had 3 (not 13 at Belmont as the Northern Echo reported)

(31 Jan 2021, 3:58 pm)Malarkey wrote No wonder when their drivers stand not socially distanced from one another at the top of Haymarket smoking/vaping which to me shows a lack a care for not just themselves, but shows a lack of for their respective families, the company the work for and the passengers they provide a service to. I honestly think their depot management need to look into this further as clearly they are not following the rules.

Makes you wonder what measures have been put in place in the meal rooms at Haymarket/Durham along with at the depots, As I don't see a spare bus being used for meal breaks like Go North East have at various Bus Stations across the region.

(31 Jan 2021, 5:03 pm)Driver9*** wrote What do you seriously expect them to do? The break rooms at the Haymarket and to a lesser extent Blyth are far too small for the volume of drivers in them at any one time. Should we take our breaks sitting in our cars in the depot car parks? I've got a mate who's a postman and he says the measues in his place of work are laughable as they're out of sight of the public and have no room to space out properly.

And as for "shows a lack of care for the passengers", lol, half of them are travelling totally unecessary journeys in the first place.

(31 Jan 2021, 6:35 pm)mb134 wrote The amount of bus pictures I'm seeing on a number of accounts from blatantly different and distant locations is unreal. I have absolutely no sympathy for any of them if they get caught, indeed I hope they do - might make normal punters more comfortable that the handrails haven't all been licked down.

(31 Jan 2021, 7:08 pm)Driver9*** wrote Since new year, the average number of passengers travelling into Newcastle between 9am-4pm on any given service I've driven has been in the region of half a dozen give or take. At least half are pensioners who have got on the bus at either Blyth or Cramlington. What non essential shops are curently open in Newcastle that are not in Blyth and Cramlington? None. Throw in the younger generation and bus spotters with disability passes who are never off the buses all day regardless, Arriva and the others should realise that apart from the odd extra bus for the workers in the morning there is no requirement for anything other than a standard Sunday service all week at present.

(31 Jan 2021, 5:03 pm)Driver9*** wrote What do you seriously expect them to do? The break rooms at the Haymarket and to a lesser extent Blyth are far too small for the volume of drivers in them at any one time. Should we take our breaks sitting in our cars in the depot car parks? I've got a mate who's a postman and he says the measues in his place of work are laughable as they're out of sight of the public and have no room to space out properly.

And as for "shows a lack of care for the passengers", lol, half of them are travelling totally unecessary journeys in the first place.

(31 Jan 2021, 7:35 pm)Malarkey wrote Then the company should be putting further measures in place to ensure all members of staff are working within a safe working environment which from what you have just posted is not the case, again as noted in my previous post Go North East have placed their Driver Training Fleet at various Bus Station to provide extra space to ensure staff are kept within a safe environment whilst on a meal break.

(31 Jan 2021, 7:35 pm)Malarkey wrote I work in a Call Centre which when fully staffed pre-covid had 800 people working within the office, now we are probably at 50% of that due to those working from home and our Canteen isn't the biggest either however we have managed to make that area socially distanced with all tables which would normally seat 6 seating 2 and are all 2 metres apart, on the call floor everyone is sat 2 metres apart to ensure it is covid secure and with those measures in place along with regular cleaning of the office throughout the day we have had 0 cases of covid-19 in the 10 months we have been in this awful pandemic, seems to me the company you work for are not doing enough to protect it's staff.

(01 Feb 2021, 3:35 pm)mb134 wrote 7484 is being used on the 35/X21/X22 cycle today. 7446 was used on the X20 this morning before ultimately being replaced by 7527, putting 7510 onto another 35/X21/X22 board. 

7526/8 are also in use on the Alnwick routes. 
4659 was on the X20, now replaced by 7445. 

MAX deckers 7512/4/30/54-6 all VOR. Scanias 4653/64 VOR. Sapphires 7524/5 both off also. If today was a normal service, as it would have been last Monday, that's Ashington not even close to meeting PVR.

(01 Feb 2021, 6:13 pm)Driver9*** wrote If Ash is the same as Blyth I'd imagine half of them would be patched up and sent out in the hope the driver wouldn't throw it off for whatever its problem(s) was.

(01 Feb 2021, 6:18 pm)mb134 wrote I'd have thought so - though the fact they've had to resort to putting B7s onto X20 and 35/X21/X22 duties makes me think there simply wasn't anything off they could patch in time. Patch and hope only lasts so long though, looks to be catching up with Ash now.

(05 Feb 2021, 1:14 am)N391OTY wrote Noticed yesterday that 1407, which hasn't registered on bustimes for quite a while now, was working with the SP AN ticket machine on the 1833 X14 service from Newcastle.

(05 Feb 2021, 1:27 am)Jimmi wrote 1407 has been assigned SP AN ticket machine ever since it returned from its lengthy loan spell at Darlington

(05 Feb 2021, 5:40 am)mb134 wrote Believe it's only at Ashington at the moment to cover for MMCs going away for work, hence being given the spare machine. Appears over the past few days they may have taken another bus on loan, as SP AN is tracking on two different boards (one of which has been what 1407 is working, one of which is totally unrelated).