(07 Nov 2014, 4:07 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I would say thay on a daily basis though due to all year around use between Newcastle and Alnwick and also the fact that people aren't just making one off trips thag the X18 is more deserving of B9TL's. If an E400 broke down on the X93, it would just be a typical bucket and spade user who would just laugh it off but if a day in and day out commutter broke down on an E400 on the X18, they'd either be very annoyed or if good enough, impress a civil servant in Blyth or Alnwick so that they no longer use the bus and Arriva looses custom.

(07 Nov 2014, 4:13 pm)Tom wrote I agree with you! The X18 is a shocking service.
The 1403 service the other day didn't arrive until 1429, and it didn't leave until 1340!

(07 Nov 2014, 4:18 pm)citaro5284 wrote It did not travel back in time did it Tom?

(07 Nov 2014, 4:36 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If Arriva don't up their game, passengers could well end up hearing this in Northumberland:

"All stations call, contact control please"

(01 Nov 2014, 5:56 pm)mb134 wrote Got 1750 on the 2 today, thought it was never going to make it up the hill out of Morpeth... 
Also when reversing out of the bus station, it looked like the driver was having a problem with the gears, we went forwards first and then looked like he was quite reluctant to give it another go, as if it hadn't gone into reverse we would have gone into the barriers.
Surely it cant have much longer left? 
(Side note- Those Seats!!!!)

(07 Nov 2014, 5:44 pm)Coppercap40 wrote 1214 still lingering at Jesmond this afternoon

wheres 1207 gone then

(08 Nov 2014, 11:43 am)buznut wrote Do they get a fixed payment from DCC every time a bus pass is used?I really would like to know how this system works....

(06 Nov 2014, 8:32 pm)tyresmoke wrote A few more updates from the last few days....

Former Stockton based (ex Go North East) DAF Prestiges 4001 and 4007 are now in use at Darlington depot, covering temporarily for Scania Omnicities away for refurbishment (more on those below...), whilst 4038 is now parked up once again at Stockton, with 4039 remaining in service for now.

Solo's 2805 and 2808 have arrived at Darlington having been replaced at Durham by their new Streetlites.
Park & Ride Solo's 2852-61 are now withdrawn from Durham and are in the process of being moved to Thorntons, Ashington for repaint and preparation for transfer to Darlington.

Pulsar's 1425, 1426, 1427, 1428, 1498, 1506, 1507, 1508, 1509, 1510, 1511 are now fitted with internal screens ready for installation of next stop announcements, for use on services 1/1B and 5/5A. Meanwhile Scania Omnicities 4643, 4644, 4645, 4648, 4649, 4650, 4651, 4654, 4655, 4657 are now at Bus & Coach World in Blackburn for refurbishment for MAX services X26/X27 & X66. 4656 remains in service at Darlington (was on X66 today).

Redcar have withdrawn Darts 211 and 1638 following the end of the Whitby Park & Ride contract.

All 6 Volvo B9TL Gemini's for Whitby are under preparation at Thornton's in Ashington, and their registrations are now confirmed...
7401 NK64FSF
7402 NK64FSG
7403 NK64FSJ
7404 NK64FSL
7405 NK64FSN
7406 NK64FSO

EDIT: Meant to mention that I've updated the "Frequent Odd Workings" thread with new info for Darlington & Jesmond depots, which now sees an Ecocity go to Minors Crescent and a mini Dart in Peterlee (only for a few weeks), whilst Jesmond now operate an X20 from Ashington to Newcastle with a Nexus Solo, in place of the 496 service which has transferred to Ashington in return.

(05 Nov 2014, 10:38 pm)tyresmoke wrote The Durham P&R ones have a lower seating capacity (26 seats v 31 seats on the 08 plates) which I believe is the reasoning behind it.
Mini Darts will be going, the rest will probably replace odd Cadets before the rest get cascaded away next year.

(08 Nov 2014, 11:00 pm)jaimz13 wrote When did Jesmond take over X20 they do hole timetable or just one

(02 Nov 2014, 9:57 pm)tyresmoke wrote Indeed there are believed to be 5 Enviro 400s on order for service 7, with another 2 for the 6. The E400s for the 7 will displace 5 Pulsars to service 6, the remainder of which will be made up of new Streetlites.

(09 Nov 2014, 9:34 pm)mb134 wrote When the 7 gets E400's next year would it be possible to send a Pulsar to Ashington to help out with the X21/22?

(09 Nov 2014, 9:38 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Does Scott's post not give the answer - no, as the freed-up Pulsars are going to Durham for the 6.

(09 Nov 2014, 9:45 pm)mb134 wrote Sorry, I did go back through the previous few pages to find the post that I could remember the info from as I couldn't remember numbers or anything like that, but must have skipped over it.
Thanks for the reply anyway, I'll try to be more thorough in the future

(10 Nov 2014, 8:31 am)Dan wrote Driver of 1577 seems to be struggling. Poor lass doesn't seem to know how to move the bus or which buttons to press!

Departing Park Lane about 10 mins late on the last 23 which was due to leave Sunderland.