Looks like Arriva are going through the new driver route with some agency staff in short term reading this quote on a BBC report.

"Like all bus operators, we have suffered a well-documented shortage of drivers post-pandemic, however we are pleased to say that as of last week, we’ve a further 38 new recruits in the pipeline, plus 10 agency staff supporting the current shortfall until these new recruits have passed their tests."

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/articles/clww81g52g1o

Currently taking on agency drivers for Ashington depot at £19/hr and free accomodation if anyone is interested.....

(07 Jul 2024, 1:46 pm)Driver9*** wrote Currently taking on agency drivers for Ashington depot at £19/hr and free accomodation if anyone is interested.....

I believe there are some currently working for Blyth too.

It's been reported on other forums that Arriva Merseyside are due 58x B8 Evora's, and Luton are due 18 (with their current batch headed to Merseyside).

I seem to remember a post after the takeover was confirmed that indicated the North East was also due some vehicles this year as part of that order, so I wonder if we can expect B8s as well? I've had a look through this thread and I can't find anything now mind.

I find it strange 5 streetdecks from London are going to Liverpool just to be used on rail replacement work, why can't they be converted to single door and send them to regions where tArriva are short of doubles? Just seems a bit of a waste for them to be solely used on RR.

(13 Jul 2024, 10:28 am)PH - BQA wrote It's been reported on other forums that Arriva Merseyside are due 58x B8 Evora's, and Luton are due 18 (with their current batch headed to Merseyside).

I seem to remember a post after the takeover was confirmed that indicated the North East was also due some vehicles this year as part of that order, so I wonder if we can expect B8s as well? I've had a look through this thread and I can't find anything now mind.

Don't think it ever was, was it? I always read it as we might get some displacements if I remember reading it right. Shameless bump as I'm curious either way. I personally wouldn't be surprised to see some of the Merseyside buses end up at Redcar to see off the Temsa's, they sound like they're coming difficult to maintain. I know it's been announced on another forum that the Omnicity's at Derby are on borrowed time, no doubt for similar reasons.

Mind I wouldn't be surprised to see the last 3 or 4 59 Plate Solos (2859 has been VOR for months) at Ashington go, they really are the definition of falling apart and I believe the same poster your mentioning has said there's 'newer' replacements in the past. I'm still very curious where SLS26 - 30 in London are going as they tick all the boxes and there's not many areas with Streetlite's especially since Ashington already has some.

(15 Jul 2024, 1:06 pm)davao123 wrote I find it strange 5 streetdecks from London are going to Liverpool just to be used on rail replacement work, why can't they be converted to single door and send them to regions where tArriva are short of doubles? Just seems a bit of a waste for them to be solely used on RR.

There's 10 Streetdeck's btw, they've been sitting around at the back of a depot in London for over a year because they hate them down there. Good to see they're actually using some, eventually. (SW1 - SW10 are their fleet numbers).

(18 Jul 2024, 8:27 pm)Storx wrote Don't think it ever was, was it? I always read it as we might get some displacements if I remember reading it right. Shameless bump as I'm curious either way. I personally wouldn't be surprised to see some of the Merseyside buses end up at Redcar to see off the Temsa's, they sound like they're coming difficult to maintain. I know it's been announced on another forum that the Omnicity's at Derby are on borrowed time, no doubt for similar reasons.

Mind I wouldn't be surprised to see the last 3 or 4 59 Plate Solos (2859 has been VOR for months) at Ashington go, they really are the definition of falling apart and I believe the same poster your mentioning has said there's 'newer' replacements in the past. I'm still very curious where SLS26 - 30 in London are going as they tick all the boxes and there's not many areas with Streetlite's especially since Ashington already has some.



There's 10 Streetdeck's btw, they've been sitting around at the back of a depot in London for over a year because they hate them down there. Good to see they're actually using some, eventually. (SW1 - SW10 are their fleet numbers).

When is the fleet of Temsa Avenues going to be withdrawn? I was hoping to see them before they go. Last remaining interesting thing in the Arriva fleet which is all Pulsars and StreetLites, apart from the NL Connection Solos and the last remaining Solos which are likely due to be withdrawn.

Hopefully the 43/44/45/47 buses arrive soon. Electroliners? Might be next year for them coming.

(18 Jul 2024, 8:35 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote When is the fleet of Temsa Avenues going to be withdrawn? I was hoping to see them before they go. Last remaining interesting thing in the Arriva fleet which is all Pulsars and StreetLites, apart from the NL Connection Solos and the last remaining Solos which are likely due to be withdrawn.

Hopefully the 43/44/45/47 buses arrive soon. Electroliners? Might be next year for them coming.

Nothing announced for the Temsa's but from posts on here it sounds like they're becoming hard to get parts for them since they're rare. Believe one is already a christmas tree (being took apart to keep the others going).

Dunno for the others though either, Arriva have gone on a massive Volvo haul the past couple weeks, I know it's just been announced that there's BZL's going to London for their electics, so maybe them either?

(18 Jul 2024, 8:51 pm)Storx wrote Nothing announced for the Temsa's but from posts on here it sounds like they're becoming hard to get parts for them since they're rare. Believe one is already a christmas tree (being took apart to keep the others going).

Dunno for the others though either, Arriva have gone on a massive Volvo haul the past couple weeks, I know it's just been announced that there's BZL's going to London for their electics, so maybe them either?

Hopefully I get to see a few of them. Maybe you could take me?!

From a quick search, Volvo BZLs look incredibly ugly!

Arriva NE certainly seems to have got their monies worth out of the Temsa Avenues, despite them being a commercial flop in the UK, and with their dubious quality. Their investment in Volvo based busses elsewhere looks like a good sign.

(18 Jul 2024, 9:13 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Hopefully I get to see a few of them. Maybe you could take me?!

From a quick search, Volvo BZLs look incredibly ugly!

Ha if I could get down the Redcar, I don't drive Never been on one to be honest, but passing by them in the past they aren't half noisy.

The BZL's are ugly mind, look like a robot that's gone wrong. Prefer them to Electroliners though, can't stand most Wright vehicles lately - they're just a bit crap even known I haven't seen any electroliners yet.

(18 Jul 2024, 9:29 pm)solsburian wrote Arriva NE certainly seems to have got their monies worth out of the Temsa Avenues, despite them being a commercial flop in the UK, and with their dubious quality. Their investment in Volvo based busses elsewhere looks like a good sign.

Yeah agreed tbh.

Btw someone might confirm this but something in the back my mind says at one point they were very nearly close in moving to Jesmond but the depot at the time outright refused them. Was this true or am I getting confused with something else?

(18 Jul 2024, 10:11 pm)Storx wrote Ha if I could get down the Redcar, I don't drive Never been on one to be honest, but passing by them in the past they aren't half noisy.

The BZL's are ugly mind, look like a robot that's gone wrong. Prefer them to Electroliners though, can't stand most Wright vehicles lately - they're just a bit crap even known I haven't seen any electroliners yet.


Yeah agreed tbh.

Btw someone might confirm this but something in the back my mind says at one point they were very nearly close in moving to Jesmond but the depot at the time outright refused them. Was this true or am I getting confused with something else?

Ah, I thought you did! You could still go with me though. Where do you live again? 

BZLs definitely look ugly, but I would say they are better than Electroliners. Does BZL stand for anything?

I believe Jesmond did refuse the fleet of Temsa Avenues, yes.

(18 Jul 2024, 10:11 pm)Storx wrote Ha if I could get down the Redcar, I don't drive Never been on one to be honest, but passing by them in the past they aren't half noisy.

Btw someone might confirm this but something in the back my mind says at one point they were very nearly close in moving to Jesmond but the depot at the time outright refused them. Was this true or am I getting confused with something else?

Think they tried to palm them off to most of the NE depots, believe Darlington was one but naturally didn't want them either. Probs best to keep them at Redcar really, to avoid having loads of micro fleets of them across the region.

I am sure the Temsas were build as being cheap and lightweight with good fuel economy. I'm sure it was said that it actually turned out that a VDL SB200 yielded a similar fuel economy, that spare parts for the Temsas were eye wateringly expensive, even when new and last but not least, the initial fire issues.

Rumours going around at the moment Yorkshire are due 14 E400MMCs this year for the 110 as well. Be interesting to see what happens

(21 Jul 2024, 7:06 pm)davao123 wrote Rumours going around at the moment Yorkshire are due 14 E400MMCs this year for the 110 as well. Be interesting to see what happens

Don't know if Arriva Yorkshire already have use for these lined up......but would be perfect for some of Blyth's work if surplus.

Doubt Northumbria / Durham County will get anything decent now with the uncertainty about franchising / municipal operations

(22 Jul 2024, 11:59 am)L469 YVK wrote Doubt Northumbria / Durham County will get anything decent now with the uncertainty about franchising / municipal operations

Yorkshire and Merseyside are both heavily rumoured/confirmed to be receiving new vehicles this year, and are both also likely moving to franchising, so why would it mean the NE won't get any?

(22 Jul 2024, 11:59 am)L469 YVK wrote Don't know if Arriva Yorkshire already have use for these lined up......but would be perfect for some of Blyth's work if surplus.

Doubt Northumbria / Durham County will get anything decent now with the uncertainty about franchising / municipal operations

The streetdecks on the 110 currently, are planned to go to Castleford, replacing the 58 plate e400s there.

In addition to the appointment of Martijn Gilbert as new MD for Arriva UK Bus, Jeff Counsell has been appointed as Interim Area Director for Arriva North East and Yorkshire.

Previously MD at Trentbarton for over a decade, and more recently EV Director at Warrington's Own Buses.

Seems to be quite a shift in appointment profile at Arriva.

(25 Jul 2025, 6:48 pm)PH - BQA wrote In addition to the appointment of Martijn Gilbert as new MD for Arriva UK Bus, Jeff Counsell has been appointed as Interim Area Director for Arriva North East and Yorkshire.

Previously MD at Trentbarton for over a decade, and more recently EV Director at Warrington's Own Buses.

Seems to be quite a shift in appointment profile at Arriva.

Both with experience of involvement with LA.
A sign of things to come? 

Interesting that one is just 'interim'.

(27 Jul 2025, 7:58 am)Andreos1 wrote Both with experience of involvement with LA.
A sign of things to come? 

Interesting that one is just 'interim'.

Kim Cain is the Area Director for a North East and Yorkshire. Jeff Counsell is covering interim for her medical leave.

As others have said elsewhere, I doublet Martijn will be directly involved with Arriva NE on a day-to-day bases unless there is some kind of major project strategic to the overall business etc. What would be good to see is more local antimony in terms of decision making and possibly overall branding/marketing (though I realise Franchising may scupper all of that)

Roger's open letter to Martijn on his blog

https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/08/14/d...more-78660

(14 Aug 2025, 6:19 am)citaro5284 wrote Roger's open letter to Martijn on his blog

https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/08/14/d...more-78660

I wonder if a certain livery designer is as forthcoming in his letter to MG asking him to sort out a copy and paste livery, leather seats and internal gimmicks. 

I'm expecting the initial Best Impressions livery to be launched before the end of the year.

(14 Aug 2025, 6:19 am)citaro5284 wrote Roger's open letter to Martijn on his blog

https://busandtrainuser.com/2025/08/14/d...more-78660

Must say I do agree about the comments on the Arriva brand in general. 

It's never really meant anything to anyone since day one and just doesn't relate. I don't want to go on a nostalgia trip but the likes of Northumbria etc were better brands imo.

Roger asking for things of which even Martijn cannot control.

The 'brand' for example is set by Arriva PLC and fits their agenda for their Central Europe businesses more than anything, Arriva UK Bus (who are simply a small entity of the wider group) will fall into line in that respect. Martijn will not have the authority to introduce "Ashington Apples" or "Blyth Bananas" for example.

I think people are under some kind of illusion that Martijn will make sweeping changes, right down to local levels, with the frequency of the X12 improved to every 10 minutes through Low Fell (or similar unrealistic suggestion). Roger included in that list. Unfortunately, it just wont happen.

Martijn will be accountable for Arriva UK Bus hitting an EBIT target that goes towards the wider Arriva profit target set by iSquared. Whatever we all wish for, whatever we all think should be done better (or even just done at all, for a start!), only that top number will matter to him - or he will be gone as quick as he arrived.