(15 Sep 2015, 1:05 pm)buss14 wrote thanks and i gather the other 2 are at the depot?

As far as I'm aware, 7519 has not arrived.

7521 arrived sometime last night but will probably need to undergo an inspection before entering service. The branding vinyls will also need to be applied.

(15 Sep 2015, 12:53 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Oh dear. Retains the ArrivaBus website too...

I wonder whether they've fitted the full rear screen but not "unmasked" the window yet? Note the registration plate has been moved to the rear bumper, to allow for it to be fitted.

(14 Sep 2015, 9:44 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote 7528 involved in incident on Police Interceptors unleashed tonight!

Any idea how long ago it was filmed?

(15 Sep 2015, 12:16 pm)GX03 SVC wrote The supervisor told me that it was staged. They sent an E400, as they're easier to repair than an older bus. Plus, with the location of the 'crash' only a couple of minutes away from the depot...?

Maybe because they would not want to release any background information about the incident? Supervisiors (or any other member of staff) would say anything to throw outsiders off the scent so they won't be able to know what actually happened. 

Wouldn't say the incident was staged though. Do you not think arriva earns enough money without the need to earn some by faking an incident for a TV program?

(15 Sep 2015, 4:02 pm)S813 FVK wrote Maybe because they would not want to release any background information about the incident? Supervisiors (or any other member of staff) would say anything to throw outsiders off the scent so they won't be able to know what actually happened. 

Wouldn't say the incident was staged though. Do you not think arriva earns enough money without the need to earn some by faking an incident for a TV program?

Probably not going by some of their actions over recent years!

(15 Sep 2015, 4:02 pm)S813 FVK wrote Maybe because they would not want to release any background information about the incident? Supervisiors (or any other member of staff) would say anything to throw outsiders off the scent so they won't be able to know what actually happened. 

Wouldn't say the incident was staged though. Do you not think arriva earns enough money without the need to earn some by faking an incident for a TV program?

Have you watched it? Looks unbelievably staged, if you ask me.


The fact that the bus driver must have been pretty much off the bus when the car crashed, suggests it was a set up.

(15 Sep 2015, 4:12 pm)mb134 wrote Have you watched it? Looks unbelievably staged, if you ask me.

The fact that the bus driver must have been pretty much off the bus when the car crashed, suggests it was a set up.

So basically you're suggesting that Channel 5 will quite happily pay the police force (and in this case, Arriva) to stage an accident which wastes police resources and causes disruption to other drivers? Sorry, but, in my opinion, no matter how staged it may look to some, i just can't see how it is.

(15 Sep 2015, 4:24 pm)S813 FVK wrote So basically you're suggesting that Channel 5 will quite happily pay the police force (and in this case, Arriva) to stage an accident which wastes police resources and causes disruption to other drivers? Sorry, but, in my opinion, no matter how staged it may look to some, i just can't see how it is.

The Tour of Britain was a waste of police resources and caused disruption.......

(15 Sep 2015, 4:24 pm)S813 FVK wrote So basically you're suggesting that Channel 5 will quite happily pay the police force (and in this case, Arriva) to stage an accident which wastes police resources and causes disruption to other drivers? Sorry, but, in my opinion, no matter how staged it may look to some, i just can't see how it is.

If it means getting more viewers yes, if it wasn't staged then credit to the bus driver and the rest of the police officers.

They may have been attempting to showcase how such cases are dealt with.

(15 Sep 2015, 4:28 pm)GX03 SVC wrote The Tour of Britain was a waste of police resources and caused disruption.......

Was an absolute farce, all of it.

(15 Sep 2015, 4:28 pm)GX03 SVC wrote The Tour of Britain was a waste of police resources and caused disruption.......

Was it a waste of police resources though or are you just saying that to try and prove a point? Police were required there on a 'just incase' basis. Far better have them there then miles away if somebody decides to disrupt the race...look at the Great North Run on Sunday for example, the police were there and, unexpectedly, they were required as somebody died - were they wasting their time until then?

As for the disruption bit, i can agree with you there. Certainly wasn't convenient for anybody.

(15 Sep 2015, 4:36 pm)S813 FVK wrote Was it a waste of police resources though or are you just saying that to try and prove a point? Police were required there on a 'just incase' basis. Far better have them there then miles away if somebody decides to disrupt the race...look at the Great North Run on Sunday for example, the police were there and, unexpectedly, they were required as somebody died - were they wasting their time until then?

As for the disruption bit, i can agree with you there. Certainly wasn't convenient for anybody.

In the photos of the race, there was at least 10 Police Motorcycles, 5 Police Cars/Vans. At Blyth, they're were at least 15-25 officers in attendance there. Then the rolling roadblocks, at least 10 Police vehicles there. 

The Olympic Torch Relay used less resources then the Tour of Britain.

(15 Sep 2015, 4:41 pm)GX03 SVC wrote In the photos of the race, there was at least 10 Police Motorcycles, 5 Police Cars/Vans. At Blyth, they're were at least 15-25 officers in attendance there. Then the rolling roadblocks, at least 10 Police vehicles there. 

The Olympic Torch Relay used less resources then the Tour of Britain.

For race management. Loads of police officers at these events can seem pointless, but they all have a purpose. The tour of Britain doesn't relate to my point in any way either other than the fact it caused disruption. The police would never have agreed to put an incident up and neither would arriva. Especially as they were using a bus that is just over a year old.

(15 Sep 2015, 4:41 pm)GX03 SVC wrote In the photos of the race, there was at least 10 Police Motorcycles, 5 Police Cars/Vans. At Blyth, they're were at least 15-25 officers in attendance there. Then the rolling roadblocks, at least 10 Police vehicles there. 

The Olympic Torch Relay used less resources then the Tour of Britain.

The Olympic Torch Relay had a lot of security from Metropolitan Police already before you count the local teams involved.

But for event management, the event organisers have to pay the police, or the event simply doesn't happen. This includes nightclubs and football matches, for example.

Trust me the Olympic gig involved more than the public knows, as for the events in ashington to "stage" such an event for TV would require.......
Road closed by professional traffic management organisations with all bus routes etc diverted with prior notice
Stunt actors playing the bus driver and at least the driver of seat and the Nissan it also collided with, and also any of the pedestrians seen in the clip...........trust me it was a real incident!

Saw a message on Facebook this morning about capacity issues on service 7. If service 7 continues to grow, do you think that we will see more deckers in the region next year with either of the following happen?

Option 1: 15x new buses for X21 / X22, 5x 14 plate E400s from Ashington to Belmont / Darlington, 1x 14 plate E400 remaining at Ashington as a spare, 1x 09 plate and 1x 14 plate going to either Belmont or Darlington (1 per depot or both at 1 depot), 57 plate E400s bar 1x remaining at Ashington as a last resort spare, being cascaded nationally as Sapphire spares for any routes around the country.

Option 2: 5x new buses for service 7, 8x new buses for X21 / X22, 7518 transferring to either Belmont or Darlington as spare, 2x 57 plate E400s remaining at Ashington as spares with the other 7 being cascaded nationally as spares for any Sapphire routes around the country.

(15 Sep 2015, 7:09 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Saw a message on Facebook this morning about capacity issues on service 7. If service 7 continues to grow, do you think that we will see more deckers in the region next year with either of the following happen?

Option 1: 15x new buses for X21 / X22, 5x 14 plate E400s from Ashington to Belmont / Darlington, 1x 14 plate E400 remaining at Ashington as a spare, 1x 09 plate and 1x 14 plate going to either Belmont or Darlington (1 per depot or both at 1 depot), 57 plate E400s bar 1x remaining at Ashington as a last resort spare, being cascaded nationally as Sapphire spares for any routes around the country.

Option 2: 5x new buses for service 7, 8x new buses for X21 / X22, 7518 transferring to either Belmont or Darlington as spare, 2x 57 plate E400s remaining at Ashington as spares with the other 7 being cascaded nationally as spares for any Sapphire routes around the country.

I still can't see any more double deckers being ordered for the 7 anytime soon, the Enviro 400's were bought for the busiest runs on the service and many of the boards the Pulsars operate don't really have many problems that I am aware of, the only issue with them is they stupidly don't have Arriva's usual Pulsar seating layout instead they have some different wacky design which loses four seats (so instead of 44 seats, they have 40). Also double deckers would be too much on a nighttime. My dream for Sapphire 7 is a half hourly Sunday service which probably won't happen anytime soon.

I would quite like to see Darlington get some double deckers for the peak time Bishop Auckland College 5/5A as I've seen it the last two mornings and there hasn't been many seats left by Aycliffe Town Centre so I dread to think what it must look like once it gets closer to Bishop Auckland.

(15 Sep 2015, 7:41 pm)Jimmi wrote I still can't see any more double deckers being ordered for the 7 anytime soon, the Enviro 400's were bought for the busiest runs on the service and many of the boards the Pulsars operate don't really have many problems that I am aware of, the only issue with them is they stupidly don't have Arriva's usual Pulsar seating layout instead they have some different wacky design which loses four seats (so instead of 44 seats, they have 40). Also double deckers would be too much on a nighttime. My dream for Sapphire 7 is a half hourly Sunday service which probably won't happen anytime soon.

I would quite like to see Darlington get some double deckers for the peak time Bishop Auckland College 5/5A as I've seen it the last two mornings and there hasn't been many seats left by Aycliffe Town Centre so I dread to think what it must look like once it gets closer to Bishop Auckland.

Interesting to hear of capacity issues on an E400 operated service though... Where do we go next!?
The Pulsars tend to run the contra-peak services which is where the lower capacity vehicles will have to stay... I dare say that if passenger numbers continue to grow then they'll have to look at solving that equation!

I presume the Pulsars must be able to cope with the loading on that specific 5A journey now otherwise they would still be using a decker on it - it might well be wedged though, like many other services are. Great taking all these college travel contracts on but it doesn't half push the available capacity more than ever before... Middlesbrough College for example has 15000 students!

(15 Sep 2015, 7:56 pm)tyresmoke wrote Interesting to hear of capacity issues on an E400 operated service though... Where do we go next!?
The Pulsars tend to run the contra-peak services which is where the lower capacity vehicles will have to stay... I dare say that if passenger numbers continue to grow then they'll have to look at solving that equation!

I presume the Pulsars must be able to cope with the loading on that specific 5A journey now otherwise they would still be using a decker on it - it might well be wedged though, like many other services are. Great taking all these college travel contracts on but it doesn't half push the available capacity more than ever before... Middlesbrough College for example has 15000 students!

we go boeing 777! Now that is a sapphire vehicle

(15 Sep 2015, 7:56 pm)tyresmoke wrote Interesting to hear of capacity issues on an E400 operated service though... Where do we go next!?
The Pulsars tend to run the contra-peak services which is where the lower capacity vehicles will have to stay... I dare say that if passenger numbers continue to grow then they'll have to look at solving that equation!

I presume the Pulsars must be able to cope with the loading on that specific 5A journey now otherwise they would still be using a decker on it - it might well be wedged though, like many other services are. Great taking all these college travel contracts on but it doesn't half push the available capacity more than ever before... Middlesbrough College for example has 15000 students!

It's more the morning runs though. I think that if both happen next year, knowing Arriva, they'll mix and match with both running classic E400s and MMCs.

(15 Sep 2015, 7:09 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote Saw a message on Facebook this morning about capacity issues on service 7. If service 7 continues to grow, do you think that we will see more deckers in the region next year with either of the following happen?

Option 1: 15x new buses for X21 / X22, 5x 14 plate E400s from Ashington to Belmont / Darlington, 1x 14 plate E400 remaining at Ashington as a spare, 1x 09 plate and 1x 14 plate going to either Belmont or Darlington (1 per depot or both at 1 depot), 57 plate E400s bar 1x remaining at Ashington as a last resort spare, being cascaded nationally as Sapphire spares for any routes around the country.

Option 2: 5x new buses for service 7, 8x new buses for X21 / X22, 7518 transferring to either Belmont or Darlington as spare, 2x 57 plate E400s remaining at Ashington as spares with the other 7 being cascaded nationally as spares for any Sapphire routes around the country.

I think it's a service where they simply need to ensure the right buses are on at the right times. It travels fairly light, quite often.

(15 Sep 2015, 10:32 pm)BusLoverMum wrote I think it's a service where they simply need to ensure the right buses are on at the right times. It travels fairly light, quite often.

On weekdays the Enviro 400s are on the same runs each day which are the busiest runs of the day for morning and afternoon loadings, during the daytime you'll only see small handfuls of passengers upstairs, there isn't really any need for full double deck operation on the 7. I think they may also be allocated for certain workings so they don't stay out on a night.

(15 Sep 2015, 10:45 pm)Jimmi wrote On weekdays the Enviro 400s are on the same runs each day which are the busiest runs of the day for morning and afternoon loadings, during the daytime you'll only see small handfuls of passengers upstairs, there isn't really any need for full double deck operation on the 7. I think they may also be allocated for certain workings so they don't stay out on a night.

We know how Davey likes buying buses, though

(15 Sep 2015, 10:55 pm)BusLoverMum wrote We know how Davey likes buying buses, though

would it be better if arriva keep track on the regular amount of travellers and then deide what bus would be best. i know it would take time be it maybe worth it

Stockton's 1410 has just gone through darlington town center with a sapphire driver driving it and a number of other drivers on board, would this possibly be route learning for the X66/X67?

(16 Sep 2015, 9:34 am)Stuartphin1639 wrote Stockton's 1410 has just gone through darlington town center with a sapphire driver driving it and a number of other drivers on board, would this possibly be route learning for the X66/X67?

Quite possibly! Will have to get a trip in myself even though I don't need route learning...!

(16 Sep 2015, 9:36 am)tyresmoke wrote Quite possibly! Will have to get a trip in myself even though I don't need route learning...!

Must be doing that as it's just gone passes the college on haughton road

(16 Sep 2015, 9:45 am)Stuartphin1639 wrote Must be doing that as it's just gone passes the college on haughton road

I'm told its our road safety team doing risk assessments on the route

(16 Sep 2015, 10:06 am)tyresmoke wrote I'm told its our road safety team doing risk assessments on the route

Forgive my ignorance but surely that should have been done before the service was registered. What happens if a "risk" is identified now that can't be "fixed" before the service starts?

New X18/418 timetables are available at Ashington bus station if anyone wants one.