(13 Jun 2015, 3:56 pm)Dan wrote Any particular reason for the route number being displayed on the right of the rear display on the 57-reg batch and left on the new batch of Sapphires?

Obviously the route number on the left is what is more common on 128x17 rear displays...

(14 Jun 2015, 6:24 am)Dan wrote Some Go North East depots were quite bad for wrong allocations in the past, but senior management have been clamping down on it by producing daily reports which details all non-compliant workings. The depots have to provide a reason for every non-compliant allocation, meaning that they can't just throw buses here, there and everywhere.

There's hardly any instances of a branded vehicle being allocated to a service it shouldn't be from run out now; when there has been instances of this occurring, it's been to keep a bus local to the depot after it has just undergone repairs. It's more or less always later in the day that problems occur - a bus breaks down and the only bus available is a branded bus (which had been allocated as a check car), it's better to allocate that than lose mileage. It's finding a chance to swap both buses over later in the day that poses a challenge, more often than not.

To outsiders looking in, allocations have most definitely not improved at Arriva. Unlike Go North East and other Arriva North East depots, I'm fairly sure Blyth have (several times in the past) allocated branded vehicles to the wrong routes from early doors. I understand that every service leaves Blyth more or less on-time during the day, as they use the spare vehicle in the bus station regardless of the vehicle type, to make this so, but it's the wrong run out allocations Arriva's senior management ought to be working on before they get to the wrong allocations during the day. The depots should be in a position to provide reasoning to Arriva's senior management as to why x, y and z allocations have happened, and then leave it to senior management to increase their spare vehicle allocation or improve reliability of the existing fleet by expanding engineering's budget or providing the depot with a more reliable fleet.

The allocation of "MAX X12" branded VDL Pulsar 1415 to every other route at Belmont besides the X12 on a daily basis is clearly a decision at depot management level (or even higher up) given the amount of times it has happened. Why senior management haven't decided to remove the sub-branding for service X12 and leave it as a generic "MAX" spare (which wouldn't be quite as bad as the situation at present), is beyond me. If Belmont requires an extra double decker to "MAX" specification to release 1415 to another depot, it's up to senior management to find it, whether it's an internal asset or an external asset that has to be bought in.

(06 Mar 2015, 8:13 pm)tyresmoke wrote It's been rumoured for a while but not sure it's got any further than that.

Another rumour that appears to be true is that we are taking 7 Temsa's from Arriva Bus & Coach as they can't sell them... Unsurprisingly they should be allocated to Redcar - joining the 18 they have left now. One will be the former demonstrator, 4700

(13 Jun 2015, 9:34 am)tyresmoke wrote They are and 1907 should also be there. Not sure why they're being kept hold of

(22 May 2015, 5:47 am)Dan wrote Meanwhile, the former Arriva North West VDL Pulsars have begun to arrive at Thorntons for repaint/refurbishment:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/rpbsp/17947899441/

(14 Jun 2015, 2:00 pm)John_R wrote Driving past Faverdale this morning and I noticed 2503 was parked in the depot, did it ever move to Durham? It certainly wasn't parked in Faverdale last Saturday.

(13 Jun 2015, 1:44 pm)Dan wrote 7509's front destination display is so dim, it is barely legible...

(14 Jun 2015, 10:29 am)palatine3833 wrote Hit the nail on the head there Dan.  The early inspector has apparently been told that 1415 is not to be used on the X12, but a double decker instead because of capacity issues.  However, (if it weren't for scholars), it would be the best idea to allocate it to 6L board, since it works onto the X12 later in the day.

(14 Jun 2015, 8:05 pm)Multi21 wrote I can't understand how 1441-3 cope perfectly fine with Capacity yet 1415 won't. 

(14 Jun 2015, 8:05 pm)Multi21 wrote I can't understand how 1441-3 cope perfectly fine with Capacity yet 1415 won't. 

(14 Jun 2015, 8:40 pm)Multi21 wrote Completely off topic but 2804 has been treated to the same repaint as 2803.  Looks Stupid if you ask me.

(14 Jun 2015, 2:56 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yes it did move to Durham - not sure why it would have come back! Unless it broke down somewhere yesterday?

(15 Jun 2015, 6:38 am)MrPottski wrote I could have sworn it never left, it was parked down the bottom end for a little while, then moved back up the top but marked as VOR. Randomly, I saw a Captains tale branded Pulsar heading out of Faverdale this morning, was too far away to get an ID.

(15 Jun 2015, 2:34 pm)mb134 wrote Any more information on the B7's that are coming to replace the Lowlanders?

(15 Jun 2015, 6:11 pm)tyresmoke wrote Not yet - still waiting for some to be allocated ex London I think.
There's expected to be around 70-80 double decks released, alongside around 20 single decks also.

(15 Jun 2015, 6:13 pm)Michael wrote Not many  

I haven't really followed the last few posts on here, how many are the NE getting?

(15 Jun 2015, 6:13 pm)Michael wrote Not many  

I haven't really followed the last few posts on here, how many are the NE getting?

(15 Jun 2015, 6:19 pm)tyresmoke wrote I'd be expecting at least 9 DD to replace the Lowlanders (7436-44) - but it depends how many we can get our hands on...

(15 Jun 2015, 6:38 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Are there any 57-reg and newer buses coming out of London? I'm not interesting in the older tat.

(15 Jun 2015, 6:38 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Are there any 57-reg and newer buses coming out of London? I'm not interesting in the older tat.

(15 Jun 2015, 6:37 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Don't build your hopes up on B7TLs, we could get more Daf DB250s either the last of the DLA class ( Alexander ) or DW class ( Wright body on VDL DB250 chassis due to later build date)
I don't think there any DLP class ( Plaxton ) bodied ones left in London, Maybe 2 or 3 at the most in the London North Division
Shame about the Lowlanders though, I liked them a bit more looking after and they would last at least another 5 years.

(15 Jun 2015, 8:06 pm)Jimmi wrote Don't suppose someone can find out what way Darlington depot services 5A and 7 will be diverting through Newton Aycliffe on Sunday morning as some of the roads on these routes will be closed for the Aycliffe 10K.

(14 Jun 2015, 8:40 pm)Multi21 wrote Completely off topic but 2804 has been treated to the same repaint as 2803.  Looks Stupid if you ask me.

As for the X12 I'm only going off the ones I've been on there is usually 3-4 seats spare towards Durham and a few towards Middlesbrough.  You could have a seat for each limb between Durham and Newcastle.