(23 Feb 2014, 8:10 pm)JoshP wrote I never knew this and I must admit I never saw the screens, I did use the X66 quite often too. Quite interesting this fact. Was this as soon as the coaches were refurbished or just recently before the Omnicites?

(23 Feb 2014, 8:15 pm)tyresmoke wrote They were fitted not long after the refurbishment... fixed to the overhead luggage racks on the nearside just behind the door. Some of them may still carry them albeit they're up in Northumberland now.

(23 Feb 2014, 8:18 pm)JoshP wrote I liked those coaches, cannot abide the omnicities. A lot of money was wasted refurbishing them then to be removed because of low floor regulations/OAP's complaining. At least they're still around in a cool driver training livery

(23 Feb 2014, 8:24 pm)tyresmoke wrote The refurbished ones are still plodding around Northumberland on service X15 and X18. 1207, 1208, 1209, 1213 and 1214.
The driver trainers are

1206 (V206DJR) - 9990 at Ashington
1210 (V210DJR) - 9991 still being converted
1211 (V211DJR) - 9992 still being converted
1212 (V212DJR) - 9993 at Stockton

(23 Feb 2014, 7:49 pm)JoshP wrote I should also add along with my last post, Darlington's Sapphire vehicles are only average. The seats/plug sockets are nice but the next stop announcements are useless. Some stops are not announced depending on which Pulsar you are on and the voice over announces each stop literally 2 seconds before the actual bus stop which is pointless because the bus flies past the stop as it is being announced. Yes sapphire Is an improvement but they need to update the signal/announcements and their computer systems as the screen seems glitchy. You're not missing out on much it's just a 'glorified' bus.

(23 Feb 2014, 8:27 pm)Tom wrote Very rarely on X18, usually on X15 or X20. 1214 has been a regular on X20 recently.

(23 Feb 2014, 7:27 pm)tyresmoke wrote I don't know a definite answer yet but they look likely to go to Durham.
Let's look back at what we know already

8 VDL Pulsar - Jesmond - Service 306
6 Volvo B9TL -Ashington/Alnwick - Service X18
6 ADL Enviro 400 - Ashington - Service X21/X22 (Sapphire spec - along with 8 existing E400's refurbished, expected to be 7514-21)
5 VDL Pulsar - Durham - Service 23
14 VDL Pulsar - Redcar/Whitby - Service X3/X4/4 (Sapphire spec)
10 VDL Pulsar - Stockton - Service 5/5A (Sapphire spec)

Along with 11 Volvo B7TL (ex London) which look likely to end up in Northumbria, though they want to try one on the X93 Middlesbrough - Scarborough to see how it handles the route, having spent all of their lives in London so far.

60 vehicles into the fleet will ultimately lead to 60 out, though this may change within a few each way depending on service changes or other contracts starting/finishing.
This will include all of the DAF SB220 vehicles, as well as any non DDA Dart MPD's. It will also see the end of the remaining high floor double deck vehicles (namely 7367, 7482, 7483).
There are more possible cascades rumoured, namely 5 Van Hool coaches from Green Line expected to go on service X15 to Berwick.

(23 Feb 2014, 8:38 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote Did they manage to pull the order off before the Euro 5 deadline for the B9TL? Are they getting the full height or low height?

(23 Feb 2014, 8:48 pm)tyresmoke wrote I don't have that info I'm afraid. They're to be used on X18 so I don't think there will be any reason why they couldn't be full height but Arriva generally order the low height version these days. I've been told they are B9TL rather than the Euro6 B5TL, though that could be subject to change - like a few other bits and pieces.

(23 Feb 2014, 8:48 pm)tyresmoke wrote I don't have that info I'm afraid. They're to be used on X18 so I don't think there will be any reason why they couldn't be full height but Arriva generally order the low height version these days. I've been told they are B9TL rather than the Euro6 B5TL, though that could be subject to change - like a few other bits and pieces.

(23 Feb 2014, 9:12 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote Hang on then, if 6 B9TL Gemini 2's are going onto the X18, then that'll either mean the 20/X20 gets allocated them on a cascaded spare basis for the X18 when required or, they get transferred to Redcar for the X93, Blyth get their DB300'S back and Ashington will have 4 E400's for the X20.

(23 Feb 2014, 9:12 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote Hang on then, if 6 B9TL Gemini 2's are going onto the X18, then that'll either mean the 20/X20 gets allocated them on a cascaded spare basis for the X18 when required or, they get transferred to Redcar for the X93, Blyth get their DB300'S back and Ashington will have 4 E400's for the X20.

(23 Feb 2014, 8:29 pm)Jimmi wrote The next stop announcements works okay except there is no announcement for one of the stops in Woodham, Durham Gate is not announced on Darlington bound journeys and there is no announcements for all stops on the morning journeys to Framwellgate Moor.

The WiFi is okay but signal is a bit weak on parts of the route.

You now have to register your devices to use the WiFi.

(23 Feb 2014, 6:56 pm)Tom wrote I'd like Go North East to get the PR1/PR2. Out of interest, are the PR1/PR2 free to travel on?

(24 Feb 2014, 2:41 pm)cbma06 wrote also surprised that Stagecoach are still in content with their beehive of services in Sunderland and hasn't ran a service between Sunderland and Hartlepool as it would link up their services and give more better value for money if a Stagecoach pass holder wanting to travel between Sunderland areas to Stockton areas.

(24 Feb 2014, 2:53 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote I think thats the point though. The demand for that journey is pretty much non-existant. The X7 is evident of that. It is a tale of two services, with very little end to end traffic.

(24 Feb 2014, 4:13 pm)Dan wrote The X7 also provides evidence of a direct Sunderland - Peterlee/Middlesbrough express being rather profitable indeed and both Arriva North East and Stagecoach North East missing out on a trick.

Whether it's a popular decision between us enthusiasts and customers or not, service changes and new services being trialled can be extremely beneficial to bus operators (and hence customers in future - larger profits usually allow for greater investment back into the fleet) and most definitely separates the boys from the men in the industry.

(24 Feb 2014, 4:27 pm)Tom wrote A increase in frequency between Sunderland and Peterlee would be good, as the last few times I've seen it it's normally been standing room only leaving Sunderland. Not sure about the Peterlee-Middlesbrough section though.

(24 Feb 2014, 4:32 pm)Dan wrote Peterlee - Middlesbrough is alright too from what I've seen and I suspect that's because of the gap between the X7 and X9 at Peterlee. Even though the X9 would get there faster, there's 20 minutes to wait.
I think the majority of fare paying customers wouldn't mind that 20 minute wait though as they can charge their devices etc whilst on the X9, whereas older passengers may just get on the X7 so they're not cold and they're safe in the knowledge they will get to Middlesbrough on time, as planned.

Middlesbrough - Peterlee is the disappointing bit, but that links in with the X9 departing 9 minutes before it...

(24 Feb 2014, 4:35 pm)Tom wrote Possibly it could work if a new X8 service could be introduced from Sunderland to Hartlepool, an express service in competition with the X7 if/when Crusader Mercs come available?

(24 Feb 2014, 4:39 pm)Dan wrote I think if the X8 was to be launched, it would have to be now (I mean, 4906-09 would be ideal given that they're already in a livery for an express service... despite their reliability). Give it a 6 month trial - if it works and passenger numbers are impressive like the X7, upgrade it to the Mercs. If not, then it's been a bit of a waste - but not pointless as you know the market doesn't want that kind of service.

'Nyway, back to Arriva....!

(24 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm)cbma06 wrote Anyway isn't there supposed to be some sort of GNE management who are members of NEB or something, would like to see their replies on the suggestions on here.

I thought Arriva services 22/23/24 are all supposed to be pulsars?, ive seen all types of buses getting used on service 24, and also deckers being used on service 22.

Maybe if Arriva stops withdrawling local bus services from local depots and using out of town bus services to go through estates which was previously used by local services and then deciding to close the depots down as out of town buses are being used, then the out of town buses are unreliable as their go through the estates, and all Arriva does is to start to pull the services out of these estates as its unreliable for the rest of the network.

(24 Feb 2014, 5:10 pm)cbma06 wrote Anyway isn't there supposed to be some sort of GNE management who are members of NEB or something, would like to see their replies on the suggestions on here.

I thought Arriva services 22/23/24 are all supposed to be pulsars?, ive seen all types of buses getting used on service 24, and also deckers being used on service 22.

Maybe if Arriva stops withdrawling local bus services from local depots and using out of town bus services to go through estates which was previously used by local services and then deciding to close the depots down as out of town buses are being used, then the out of town buses are unreliable as their go through the estates, and all Arriva does is to start to pull the services out of these estates as its unreliable for the rest of the network.

(24 Feb 2014, 5:30 pm)aureolin wrote I don't think Arriva can really pull much else out of Durham - east or otherwise. Apart from the major corridors, the network is on the bones of its arse in my opinion.

(24 Feb 2014, 5:30 pm)Dan wrote There are, but none of whom are involved in the creation/modifying of services, as far as I know.

22 - Pulsar
23 - Solo
24 - Pulsar/Omni

Those allocations aren't exactly stuck to though, with other vehicles being present on all three quite often.

(24 Feb 2014, 5:36 pm)tyresmoke wrote 24s are allocated DAF deckers too... One works the 24X too.

(24 Feb 2014, 5:38 pm)Dan wrote You're right, but Lowlanders and ALX400s are common on the service despite this.

Very much one of those services where 'anything goes'. Same goes for the other two as well.

(24 Feb 2014, 5:45 pm)tyresmoke wrote DAF deckers would encompass both Lowlanders and ALX400s so its not unusual. Same as specific boards on 56/57s are allocated them to do with college loadings.
The 24 is undoubtedly the strongest of the 3, the 22 is more of an express into Durham going direct from Thornley to Sherburn though. I don't have enough experience of the network out that way to say whether they're performing massively well or poorly and I suspect a lot of the people posting don't either. There's very much a GNE biased view coming across for obvious reasons,, obviously the network has been cut back but services have to be profitable to be able to run and therefore once you get a profitable network you can add to it, rather than constantly cutting like Sunderland has seen.