(31 Oct 2014, 2:26 pm)Michael wrote I'm on the E2, just noticed theres a sign saying:

Electronic cigarettere aren't permitted onboard our buses

Arriva's onboard notices appear to be changing to reflect this too. Good move.

2 training buses in wheatsheaf today

Arriva's onboard notices appear to be changing to reflect this too. Good move.

Arriva have not permitted e-cigarettes for a while now, probably because people were smoking e-cigarettes and other smokers were lighting up on their buses. Although this doesn't stop people from smoking them, I had one blowing smoke in my face on Arriva service 8 the other week.

(30 Oct 2014, 11:21 pm)beefcake wrote Can't really say I'd be shocked to see the Sunday-Thursday evening 6 withdrawn. Every time I've seen one, and on the few occasions I myself used it, the loadings have being absolutely pitiful. I've not seen more than 6 passengers use it at any one time

The council hasn't even put the times up at some of the stops have they? Apparently as usual Connect Tees Valley produced them but the councils neglect to put them up.

I'm not sure on the entire route, I know it was up at Dyke House where I used to get on, but honestly can't remember seeing one on display on Victoria Road, which is rather strange as that's where the bus terminates.

Connect Tees Valley staff are council staff, they're one and the same. They produce the timetables on behalf of the councils. Obviously they don't have enough staff following council cuts to get round everywhere (I think there is only 2 people left?) - a stop over the road from me still has an old green timetable from 2013

(31 Oct 2014, 6:54 pm)tyresmoke wrote Connect Tees Valley staff are council staff, they're one and the same. They produce the timetables on behalf of the councils. Obviously they don't have enough staff following council cuts to get round everywhere (I think there is only 2 people left?) - a stop over the road from me still has an old green timetable from 2013

Connect Tees Valley produce the inserts, which seems to by and large be produced on time despite the few now employed there (helped no doubt by increasing computerisation) but it is then distributed to the individual 5 local councils to display at the bus stops, and they just sit on it for weeks and then often have to be re-sent them.
Middlesbrough can't claim to be short staffed when in the bus station they have two security men often loafing about talking to two or four council wardens and with numerous other council employees hanging about, not to mention a room full of cctv muppets upstairs, yet they can't do a simple thing like change an insert on the bus stand.

(31 Oct 2014, 3:50 pm)Jimmi wrote Arriva have not permitted e-cigarettes for a while now, probably because people were smoking e-cigarettes and other smokers were lighting up on their buses. Although this doesn't stop people from smoking them, I had one blowing smoke in my face on Arriva service 8 the other week.

I've not seen it as a problem really. Think I've only ever seen one person smoking them on the bus. Fortunately people are learning that they're not accepted as a substitute for the smoking ban, with many workplaces specifically mentioning them as banned in their smoking policies now.