(26 Nov 2013, 8:01 pm)nk55 wrote [quote='gtomlinson' pid='21073' dateline='1385398881']
I didn't catch the fleetname but one of the branded X2 deckers was expired at Birtley Three Tuns (southbound)

I've twice seen a branded decker with hazards flashing in birtley in recent days but i think it runs off a scholars service before picking up the service in birtley towards durham.

IRATE BUS CAMPAIGNERS HAND PETITION TO ARRIVA

FURIOUS bus campaigners have handed a 300-signature petition, calling for urgent improvements, to the operators of the much-maligned 685 service.

But public transport chiefs at Arriva North East have warned that replacing the buses – deemed small and inadequate – could cost £300,000 per bus and lead to an increase in fares.

Campaigners and representatives of Arriva, which jointly-operates the service with Stagecoach, came face-to-face at a meeting of Haydon Parish Council last Thursday.

Villagers complained that coaches used on the service, which runs between Newcastle and Carlisle, were breaking down regularly until July, when they were replaced by the smaller-sized buses.

While they agreed that the replacements were more reliable, the campaigners, all Haydon Bridge residents, argued that the buses were often overcrowded, with some people, including pensioners, having to stand.

Sylvia Mitchell, who is leading the campaign, said safety is an issue because the smaller buses have no seat belts, while some drivers move the vehicles before passengers can find a seat or a suitable standing place.

On the receiving end was Paul De Santis, head of commercial development at Arriva, who said all the issues raised would be taken on board with a view to making improvements where possible.

He said: “The service has greatly improved since July, but we have a fleet of 500 buses in the North-East, and the ones in use are the ones we have available.

“We might have to think about going out and buying some new buses, but that would take 18 months and cost astronomical amounts of money, and possibly put up the price of fares considerably.”

Mr De Santis said the coaches previously used on the 685 route did not have wheelchair access, and therefore didn’t comply with regulations.

He suggested that the best way forward would be to make improvements to the current vehicles, which are already accessible for wheelchairs, prams and pushchairs, and looking at the possibility of installing seat belts.

He added: “We have carried out surveys and we have listened to everything that has been said. We want to provide the best service possible and will see how we can do things better.”

Depot manager David Brogan said that in an ideal world, Arriva would run more services along parts of the route, including the stretch between Hexham and Haltwhistle.

However, it no longer has a depot at Hexham, and it costs more money for buses to cover longer distances.

Coun. Alan Sharp, the local county council representative, said: “Health and safety and the need for seat belts – these are key issues.

“These people are living in a rural area and they rely on buses, and they deserve a better service. At the moment they are reluctant to go on them and that is a concern.”

After handing over the petition, signed by residents in the Haydon Bridge area, Mrs Mitchell said she was now prepared to give the operators a chance to make improvements.

She also called for better ticketing arrangements between Arriva and Stagecoach, so passengers had more flexibility while using buses provided by both firms on return journeys.

Dissatisfaction with the reliability of the 685 service was also aired during a meeting of Henshaw Parish Council on Monday.

Chairman Jeff Oliver said passengers were fed up of standing at the bus stop in all types of weather, and suggested that people should be able to track the whereabouts of buses online.

The petition will also be sent to Stagecoach.

(27 Nov 2013, 8:52 pm)Dan wrote Following on from discussion which commenced earlier this month, it seems that 'furious bus campaigners have handed a 300-signature petition, calling for urgent improvements, to the operators of the much-maligned 685 service'.

It's interesting to see that petitions have started rolling in before winter, as we had earlier predicted!
The operators' responses in regards to vehicle type will be interesting.


Source: http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/irate-bus-campaigners-hand-petition-to-arriva-1.1096289

(27 Nov 2013, 9:10 pm)busman101 wrote £300 grand a bus - what on earth would they be buying for that sort of money !!!

Not much rumpus from the regulars yet on the withdrawal of the early and late 685 journeys to/from Carlisle and the withdrawal completely from Gilsland. No doubt it'll all come out in the wash in the next couple of weeks along with will a bus really run empty all the way from Newcastle to Carlisle 6 days a week as the timetable seems to suggest.

(27 Nov 2013, 9:10 pm)busman101 wrote £300 grand a bus - what on earth would they be buying for that sort of money !!!

Not much rumpus from the regulars yet on the withdrawal of the early and late 685 journeys to/from Carlisle and the withdrawal completely from Gilsland. No doubt it'll all come out in the wash in the next couple of weeks along with will a bus really run empty all the way from Newcastle to Carlisle 6 days a week as the timetable seems to suggest.

(27 Nov 2013, 9:25 pm)aureolin wrote Oh dear. Pensioners having to stand. Must be horrible paying all that money for their fare and then not getting a seat....

How many petitions do Arriva need to get slapped with about the 685 before they just cut their losses and scrap it altogether? It actually baffles me why the service is still running when there's a more regular rail service right along the route. Surely money would be better spent providing shuttle buses round the little villages to the nearest station?

(28 Nov 2013, 7:36 am)Greg in Weardale wrote We shouldn't be advocating bus routes being cancelled in favour of using trains, buses go closer to many peoples' homes and transferring from bus to train is definitely not popular - remember Tyne & Wear in years gone by.
I don't understand this obsession with seatbelts as if they're fitted people don't wear them.

(28 Nov 2013, 7:39 am)aureolin wrote Yet at the same time we shouldn't be getting into a case of "he who shouts loudest wins". A cross country route of that distance should be a train. Money better spent elsewhere.

(28 Nov 2013, 8:04 am)Greg in Weardale wrote Pensioners don't get trains free (one third off with railcard) and train fare Newcastle - Haydon Bridge is £10 off peak day return and Newcastle - Carlisle £16.90, both more expensive before 9.30am. I don't know the bus fares, but the most would be £9.30 North East Explorer (and the North West version is valid as well) which give unlimited travel at one end of the 685 route as well.

(28 Nov 2013, 8:04 am)Greg in Weardale wrote Pensioners don't get trains free (one third off with railcard) and train fare Newcastle - Haydon Bridge is £10 off peak day return and Newcastle - Carlisle £16.90, both more expensive before 9.30am. I don't know the bus fares, but the most would be £9.30 North East Explorer (and the North West version is valid as well) which give unlimited travel at one end of the 685 route as well.

(28 Nov 2013, 8:07 am)Dan wrote Why should they get free travel on the 685?
It's a cross country service, linking together two big cities at a journey time of two hours - when this is achieved by the more reliable train at a quicker journey time?
I'm sure some form of 'special rate' could be implemented if the 685 was to cease to exist anyway.

(28 Nov 2013, 8:04 am)Greg in Weardale wrote Pensioners don't get trains free (one third off with railcard) and train fare Newcastle - Haydon Bridge is £10 off peak day return and Newcastle - Carlisle £16.90, both more expensive before 9.30am. I don't know the bus fares, but the most would be £9.30 North East Explorer (and the North West version is valid as well) which give unlimited travel at one end of the 685 route as well.

(28 Nov 2013, 6:13 pm)aureolin wrote It's hardly a reason to run a bus service alongside a local train service. Is the 685 ran entirely commercially?

(27 Nov 2013, 10:52 pm)tyresmoke wrote I believe it runs light from Hexham to Carlisle but yes it seems excessive to me too.
£300k would be the price of new coaches I'd guess? Plenty of service specification coaches available but all high mileage ex National Express vehicles.

(28 Nov 2013, 8:07 am)Dan wrote Why should they get free travel on the 685?
It's a cross country service, linking together two big cities at a journey time of two hours - when this is achieved by the more reliable train at a quicker journey time?
I'm sure some form of 'special rate' could be implemented if the 685 was to cease to exist anyway.

(30 Nov 2013, 3:39 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I agree about the free travel, although it would depend where they were travelling and why. I'm not sure about the 'special rate' on the trains though, as if the 685 were to be withdrawn the trains would be the only direct option and would therefore be a monopoly (at least for quite a lot of the route).

(02 Dec 2013, 6:18 pm)tyresmoke wrote Dart 1306 (X526GGO) is the first to move to Redcar, seeing use on services 64A/X3/X4 today...

I will try and confirm what the changes to Whitby services are but it looks like Service 91 will become the 96... which would give a number series of 93-96.

(04 Dec 2013, 4:25 pm)Richard Smiles wrote Bit surprising that Scott, I would have thought that the Prestige Vehicles would have been for the chop before the recently acquired ALX300s from Yorkshire. Regards Richard

(04 Dec 2013, 9:55 pm)tyresmoke wrote Well we have our first demonstrator for a while, an Optare Versa has turned up at Durham depot this afternoon, should be prepped and enter service imminently. Likely to see use on service 64 principally... We wait and see which other depots will have use of it. More news when I can!

(04 Dec 2013, 10:04 pm)palatine3833 wrote YD63 UZN is seen here in Belmont depot tonight

It's been doing test runs today with engineering and has had a ticket machine base plate and cash tray added. It's parked where the X1 deckers usually go, so I'm not sure whether it will be coming out on Thursday or Friday but it should be being used on the 64 as Scott has said.