That's another 2 vehicle types which have just gone out the Arriva fleet in the past week or so, the Optare Solo and Temsa Avenue.

Must say, can't say I'll miss either tbh. 

The Optare Solo (non SR) has really gone out, under the radar, since they were everywhere at one point.

I kind of hope a Temsa Avenue gets preserved, even if it is a warning to future generations.

(19 Dec 2025, 9:27 pm)Storx wrote That's another 2 vehicle types which have just gone out the Arriva fleet in the past week or so, the Optare Solo and Temsa Avenue.

Must say, can't say I'll miss either tbh. 

The Optare Solo (non SR) has really gone out, under the radar, since they were everywhere at one point.

With former 2810 being withdrawn from Tunbridge Wells, I believe that would be the last 28XX Solo Arriva NE has owned gone? Sad to think since I quite liked those Solos and there were a canny amount of them.

2863 2866 still in operation at arriva midlands

(19 Dec 2025, 8:42 pm)ross13 wrote Yes 2841 has officially been withdrawn

Newly transfer to darlington 

Darlingtons 1369 ex yorkshire1449 1450 as arrived at darlington and 1369 is out on the x66

(19 Dec 2025, 7:21 pm)9920up wrote Is it the end for Solo 2841? Currently has the "red steering wheel cover of death" in place as well as a " no service " label in the windscreen. Sleeping quietly in Darlington yard.

Yes allegedly been sold as well

I had the misfortune of using Arriva yesterday, Service 2 from Blyth to Morpeth. I was waiting for the 1152 departure which failed to operate (arrived at Blyth around 1215 and left Not in Sevice). The 1222 did operate, one of the infamous Solo SRs. This made it to the Phoenix taxi office before breaking down. Driver was advised to continue (bus was absolutely rammed) and it limped to Bedlington Station before dying. The bus after the one I was one (1252 departure) also failed to operate. According to the driver the Solo had only just been released from engineering replacing a full sized single decker.

Seemingly big gaps in service and unreliable vehicles (the driver was told by the engineer that there was a lack of available vehicles). Once I arrived in Morpeth (close to 1400) I noticed a very cosy Pulsar on the X18 heading North towards Alnwick.

Take this with a pinch of salt, but I was on DM01-MD today and the driver was having a conversation with a GNE Q3 and/or an Ashingtkn driver and they said that having tried the BYD at Blyth their and othwrs drivers concensusr was that DM01-MD was the nicer of the two. Obivsally that is very subjective and the real proof will be when the BYDs enter service and get bedded in.

(11 hours ago)solsburian wrote Take this with a pinch of salt, but I was on DM01-MD today and the driver was having a conversation with a GNE Q3 and/or an Ashingtkn driver and they said that having tried the BYD at Blyth their and othwrs drivers concensusr was that DM01-MD was the nicer of the two. Obivsally that is very subjective  and the real proof will be when the BYDs enter service and get bedded in.

Chatting to a driver on Friday about the new BYD he said he's been out in it a couple of times and is really impressed. As you say, it is likely subjective like with any vehicle and different drivers will have different preferences.