(14 Feb 2026, 7:47 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The quartet are permeant transfers to the region - 7596/7 are intended for Blyth where they will allow two of the older E400s to be withdrawn as their MOTs are due to expire prior to the introduction of the BYDs. 7598/9 are now intended for Whitby Park and Ride in place of the originally planned pair from Durham.

Thanks for confirming, it is good news that they are permanent (and hopefully not a detriment to the Midlands) - do you know if any more are due up? Using 7598/9 on the Whitby P&R makes sense with their ex-Northumbria colleagues at Recar. I am willing to bet we will see 7598/9 at some point at Blyth or Ashington out of season in the future 

(14 Feb 2026, 12:10 pm)Storx wrote Imagine they'll just sit at the back of the depot collecting dust in reality. Ashington can't keep new buses on the road; there's not a cat in hell chance they're keeping them dogs on the road.

Just another stupid allocation imo when there's enough dogs like 7530 that need a retirement home, as it is.

(they should be sent out the region to Kent or elsewhere and join their sisters)

Not really any benefit transferring them to another devision given most B9TLs elsewhere within Arriva are 58 plate or older, so all are likely to be withdrawn in the near future.

(14 Feb 2026, 5:57 pm)220631612 wrote Essentially anything that’s older than 2010 will be getting withdrawn. Darlington’s E200’s will most likely be leaving the North East but no region has been confirmed

It's still questionable what will happen to all of those, especially with all the enhancements coming into play within the TVCA area such as the extension of the 10 to Sadberge/Stillington, plus 2 will be required for Dalesbus over the summer, when it returns at Easter.

(15 Feb 2026, 6:49 pm)Jimmi wrote Not really any benefit transferring them to another devision given most B9TLs elsewhere within Arriva are 58 plate or older, so all are likely to be withdrawn in the near future.

Yeah that's true, truthfully probably better to sell the things unless Ashington can get them working. Just a nuisance microfleet really in terms of parts etc considering there's not going to be a single Volvo Decker in the whole Arriva fleet soon since the hybrids seem to be on borrowed time aswell. Assume they'll be gone by the end of the year when Arriva lose the Wirral routes. 

and if they're not working anyway, then what's the point in keeping them. I'm sure they'll have a resale value atm.

(15 Feb 2026, 7:00 pm)Storx wrote Yeah that's true, truthfully probably better to sell the things unless Ashington can get them working. Just a nuisance microfleet really in terms of parts etc considering there's not going to be a single Volvo Decker in the whole Arriva fleet soon since the hybrids seem to be on borrowed time aswell. Assume they'll be gone by the end of the year when Arriva lose the Wirral routes. 

and if they're not working anyway, then what's the point in keeping them. I'm sure they'll have a resale value atm.

I think you're likely blowing the whole 'microfleet' issue slightly out of proportion. B9TLs are hardly a rare bus type in the UK, so there will be plenty of spare parts available unlike the Temsa Avenues, for example. 

Even your point about them being Volvo deckers specifically - surely the only relevance to the decker part of that is the bodywork, which is a Wright Gemini and once again they're hardly rare? Just as an aside, there absolutely will be other Volvo deckers outside of these 6 in the Arriva fleet beyond the end of this year - London have roughly 400 B5LHs.

(15 Feb 2026, 6:49 pm)Jimmi wrote Not really any benefit transferring them to another devision given most B9TLs elsewhere within Arriva are 58 plate or older, so all are likely to be withdrawn in the near future.


It's still questionable what will happen to all of those, especially with all the enhancements coming into play within the TVCA area such as the extension of the 10 to Sadberge/Stillington, plus 2 will be required for Dalesbus over the summer, when it returns at Easter.

I imagine 2 will kept at Darlo 1 for the 16 and 1 for the 10 extension with both then being used on Dalesbus on a Sunday. In an ideal world you'd probs send 2 to Ashington for the 434 and 415/460 - that way if there was an issue with one of Darlo's then one of the Ashington one's could be used as cover. Send the 3 Solo's over to Wales at least they might be able to keep them on the road!

(15 Feb 2026, 7:25 pm)PH - BQA wrote I think you're likely blowing the whole 'microfleet' issue slightly out of proportion. B9TLs are hardly a rare bus type in the UK, so there will be plenty of spare parts available unlike the Temsa Avenues, for example. 

Even your point about them being Volvo deckers specifically - surely the only relevance to the decker part of that is the bodywork, which is a Wright Gemini and once again they're hardly rare? Just as an aside, there absolutely will be other Volvo deckers outside of these 6 in the Arriva fleet beyond the end of this year - London have roughly 400 B5LHs.

Totally forgot about London tbh, god knows how.

Still though, still it's a bit of a headache having a microfleet of a random bus. I'd assume that the engineering departments have a ready lot of spare parts of E400's etc but won't have anything for a B9, as it doesn't make sense, so it's just time to get the parts in etc. Be much easier for Ashington to have a depot that's full of only ADL vehicles and a few Streetlite's which is probably where it's going to be in a few years time anyway realistically. Heck even later this year possibly depending what happens with the E200MMC's. 

Like if they were work horses, I'd get it, but they couldn't be any further away and they're not exactly new anymore.

(15 Feb 2026, 7:39 pm)Storx wrote Totally forgot about London tbh, god knows how.

Still though, still it's a bit of a headache having a microfleet of a random bus. I'd assume that the engineering departments have a ready lot of spare parts of E400's etc but won't have anything for a B9, as it doesn't make sense, so it's just time to get the parts in etc. Be much easier for Ashington to have a depot that's full of only ADL vehicles and a few Streetlite's which is probably where it's going to be in a few years time anyway realistically. Heck even later this year possibly depending what happens with the E200MMC's. 

Like if they were work horses, I'd get it, but they couldn't be any further away and they're not exactly new anymore.

Realistically it's absolutely no different to how they've been looked after for the previous 11 years though is it? 

It's also no different to them looking after a fleet of Solos (or E200MMCs if they return), or Blyth retaining a small number of Pulsars for the 553 etc. 

If they were that bothered about standardisation they'd have sent the current 8 Streetlites down to Darlington in exchange for Pulsars - or vice versa.

It depends how the B9TLs are managed.

If Arriva use them for the sole purpose of pottering back and forth on the 35, they'll be fine for 4-5 years. And maybe the odd outing on the 1/2/57/57A

But if Arriva do any Euro 6 mods or start putting them on the Express work, they'll be asking for trouble.

(15 Feb 2026, 8:40 pm)L469 YVK wrote It depends how the B9TLs are managed.

If Arriva use them for the sole purpose of pottering back and forth on the 35, they'll be fine for 4-5 years. And maybe the odd outing on the 1/2/57/57A

But if Arriva do any Euro 6 mods or start putting them on the Express work, they'll be asking for trouble.

Why would they do any Euro 6 mods on them?

As I've posted previously, it looks like they can enter Newcastle without any additional work.

(15 Feb 2026, 7:50 pm)PH - BQA wrote Realistically it's absolutely no different to how they've been looked after for the previous 11 years though is it? 

It's also no different to them looking after a fleet of Solos (or E200MMCs if they return), or Blyth retaining a small number of Pulsars for the 553 etc. 

If they were that bothered about standardisation they'd have sent the current 8 Streetlites down to Darlington in exchange for Pulsars - or vice versa.

To be fair the Solo's and B9TL's over the past 3 years, is a reason why they should be doing fleet standardisation. They've been absolutely horrendous 

Wasn't one of the reasons to Solo's and B9's were off road was because they were waiting for parts anyway?

I think all of us would happily see the Streetlite's disappear but that can't happen sadly.

---

Side note, seems the two new E400MMC's are out at Blyth already, ones just passed before.

(15 Feb 2026, 9:01 pm)Storx wrote To be fair the Solo's and B9TL's over the past 3 years, is a reason why they should be doing fleet standardisation. They've been absolutely horrendous 

Wasn't one of the reasons to Solo's and B9's were off road was because they were waiting for parts anyway?

Have the E400s been any better though? 

7529 is just back after being off for nearly a month with axle issues. 7530 has barely been out for 4 months due to a large number of faults, and waiting for parts. 7532 and 7533 are also now off, assuming waiting for parts as neither is due MOT. 7526 has also been off for a while, also waiting for parts. 

I believe parts are centralised, so I don't see how there will be any difference between ordering something for an E400 or for a B9TL.

(15 Feb 2026, 9:01 pm)Storx wrote To be fair the Solo's and B9TL's over the past 3 years, is a reason why they should be doing fleet standardisation. They've been absolutely horrendous 

Wasn't one of the reasons to Solo's and B9's were off road was because they were waiting for parts anyway?

I think all of us would happily see the Streetlite's disappear but that can't happen sadly.

---

Side note, seems the two new E400MMC's are out at Blyth already, ones just passed before.

Where is the evidence of the B9s being horrendous? They have been no worse than any other vehicle. One was off the road for ages, but it was with an external for something much more complex.

I think they will be absolutely fine running around on Ashington work. Having driven a couple of them, they are solid, even recently.

(15 Feb 2026, 9:19 pm)PH - BQA wrote Have the E400s been any better though? 

7529 is just back after being off for nearly a month with axle issues. 7530 has barely been out for 4 months due to a large number of faults, and waiting for parts. 7532 and 7533 are also now off, assuming waiting for parts as neither is due MOT. 7526 has also been off for a while, also waiting for parts. 

I believe parts are centralised, so I don't see how there will be any difference between ordering something for an E400 or for a B9TL.

That's true, but then again it's Ashington, they'd kill a Toyota Hilux without even trying lately (google if you don't get it). Noticed 1588 and 7590 have both been pulled in the last few days. 1588 definitely broke down on Thursday as I pass the thing in Ellington. 

Surely if parts are centralised though having an odd type would be an issue since, theoretically, the parts centre should have a whole loads of Enviro spares just ready to be sent out but won't have a load of B9 parts ready because there isn't any. Obviously that not happening is a central parts issue of course if depots are having to wait weeks for the parts to come.

(15 Feb 2026, 9:36 pm)Storx wrote That's true, but then again it's Ashington, they'd kill a Toyota Hilux without even trying lately (google if you don't get it). Noticed 1588 and 7590 have both been pulled in the last few days. 1588 definitely broke down on Thursday as I pass the thing in Ellington. 

Surely if parts are centralised though having an odd type would be an issue since, theoretically, the parts centre should have a whole loads of Enviro spares just ready to be sent out but won't have a load of B9 parts ready because there isn't any. Obviously that not happening is a central parts issue of course if depots are having to wait weeks for the parts to come.

1588 died immediately upon arrival though, so I'm not sure you can blame Ashington engineering for that one. 

The entire point I'm making though is that it hasn't been an issue, comparatively, has it? The E400s are spending much longer off the road, and more frequently. With the exception of 7404 (which from memory may have been sent somewhere else), the B9TLs are doing significantly better - as Superman has posted above. 

If they're just plodding around on the 35 I don't see any issue with sending them to Ashington, and ultimately Arriva evidently don't either.

(15 Feb 2026, 9:44 pm)PH - BQA wrote 1588 died immediately upon arrival though, so I'm not sure you can blame Ashington engineering for that one. 

The entire point I'm making though is that it hasn't been an issue, comparatively, has it? The E400s are spending much longer off the road, and more frequently. With the exception of 7404 (which from memory may have been sent somewhere else), the B9TLs are doing significantly better - as Superman has posted above. 

If they're just plodding around on the 35 I don't see any issue with sending them to Ashington, and ultimately Arriva evidently don't either.

Aye and it's a fair point. Problem is if the the B9TL's are plodding around on the 35 then where the hell are the Enviro's going. 

I totally agree that they're worse though, it's why they should be on the 35, not anywhere near Newcastle either at Blyth or Ashington.

Mind we've changed the goalposts a bit here about microfleets in general though. 

I'd be all for sending the battered E400's aswell tbf. Probably be better in Leeds than the 17 Plates which could easily do a job on the X21/X22 or Blyth expresses.

---

Edited: Mind that said, wonder if there's been a potential change here and the last bit is what's happening...

Would certainly explain the 2 random 72 Plates which have just turned up which happens to be the difference between the E400MMC's (12) and E400's (14). The E400's are objectively the biggest issue up here and wherever they go they're going to bring trouble with them. 

35: B9TL
X14/X15/X18/X20/X30/777: New E400MMC / 72 Plate E400MMC
X21/X22: 72 Plate E400MMC

X7/X8/X10/X11: 17 Plate / New E400MMC
306/308: 61 Plate DB300

That would certainly get the area out of the s**tstorm it's in right now tbh and easy routes in Yorkshire is pretty much where they should be really.

(15 Feb 2026, 10:18 pm)Storx wrote Aye and it's a fair point. Problem is if the the B9TL's are plodding around on the 35 then where the hell are the Enviro's going. 

I totally agree that they're worse though, it's why they should be on the 35, not anywhere near Newcastle either at Blyth or Ashington.

Mind we've changed the goalposts a bit here about microfleets in general though. 

I'd be all for sending the battered E400's aswell tbf. Probably be better in Leeds than the 17 Plates which could easily do a job on the X21/X22 or Blyth expresses.

---

Edited: Mind that said, wonder if there's been a potential change here and the last bit is what's happening...

Would certainly explain the 2 random 72 Plates which have just turned up which happens to be the difference between the E400MMC's (12) and E400's (14). The E400's are objectively the biggest issue up here and wherever they go they're going to bring trouble with them. 

35: B9TL
X14/X15/X18/X20/X30/777: New E400MMC / 72 Plate E400MMC
X21/X22: 72 Plate E400MMC

X7/X8/X10/X11: 17 Plate / New E400MMC
306/308: 61 Plate DB300

That would certainly get the area out of the s**tstorm it's in right now tbh and easy routes in Yorkshire is pretty much where they should be really.

Shows then how little you know about the Arriva Yorkshire network - the majority of their network are the interurban runs from the various towns into Leeds and the interurban runs between their hub towns and cites. The only 'city' network they really run down there is in Wakefield - and that's allocated mini E200s (which they have too many of). The deckers are all used on the longer haul work - the only one crying out for an upgraded fleet is Selby's 415 into York, and the current rumour for that is E400s from St Helens when Stagecoach take over the operation there in the autumn as part of the first Tranche of the Merseyside Franchising.

Of course, normally it would be cascade those E400s in Northumbria to Durham County - but with the 14 BYDs due for Durham, that will see off the older E400s there plus release some of the E400MMCs down to Darlington to replace their older E400s plus some Pulsars (to give extra decker resources there - given there is now more boards at Darlington requiring deckers than they actually have).

(16 Feb 2026, 10:10 am)Kuyoyo wrote Shows then how little you know about the Arriva Yorkshire network - the majority of their network are the interurban runs from the various towns into Leeds and the interurban runs between their hub towns and cites. The only 'city' network they really run down there is in Wakefield - and that's allocated mini E200s (which they have too many of). The deckers are all used on the longer haul work - the only one crying out for an upgraded fleet is Selby's 415 into York, and the current rumour for that is E400s from St Helens when Stagecoach take over the operation there in the autumn as part of the first Tranche of the Merseyside Franchising.

Of course, normally it would be cascade those E400s in Northumbria to Durham County - but with the 14 BYDs due for Durham, that will see off the older E400s there plus release some of the E400MMCs down to Darlington to replace their older E400s plus some Pulsars (to give extra decker resources there - given there is now more boards at Darlington requiring deckers than they actually have).

Must admit, always thought there was more urban stuff in the Heckmondwike side of the network but guess it's either gone over the years or I've just totally missed it instead. Agreed at looking, it's probably not the best place.

No arguments with the cascade, or alternatively the 43/44/45 but obviously they've got their own electrics aswell.

They definitely need an easier life somewhere though, don't want to go around picking every place they could go but there's surely somewhere like Derby for the 1A/1B/1C/38?

(16 Feb 2026, 11:16 am)Storx wrote Must admit, always thought there was more urban stuff in the Heckmondwike side of the network but guess it's either gone over the years or I've just totally missed it instead. Agreed at looking, it's probably not the best place.

No arguments with the cascade, or alternatively the 43/44/45 but obviously they've got their own electrics aswell.

Maybe change that to Derby instead, don't think there's any deckers due there (aware of the Evoras)? Should do a job on the 38/1A/1B/1C and replace the 2 58 Plate E400's and the B9TL's.

Derby are due to get the 17 plate MMCs from the Leicestershire side of the Midlands operation to replace their B9TLs.

(15 Feb 2026, 8:51 pm)PH - BQA wrote Why would they do any Euro 6 mods on them?

As I've posted previously, it looks like they can enter Newcastle without any additional work.

There is a known "fault" with the checker system, and DVLA vehicle enquiry service, with no correction in sight. A number of Euro 5 vehicles show up incorrectly as being Euro 6 because they were registered new after the Euro 6 implementation date for buses (May 2014?), assuming an emission rating rather than using factual records. The 64 plate E300s new to Stagecoach Stockton all show as being Euro 6, as do Hodgsons 17 plate E200s, despite being Euro 5. Some V5 registration documents will even show a Euro 5 emission rating but the checker and DVLA VES show them as Euro 6, so the correct information is in the system somewhere. An absolute mockery of a system in my opinion.

I suppose, from this, that the forum member has knowledge that the B9TLs are actually only Euro 5 and may be querying whether Arriva will legitimately upgrade them to Euro 6 to work into Newcastle or whether they shall exploit the loophole while it exists, as Stagecoach Cumbria appear to be while utilising ex Stockton E300s on 685.

(16 Feb 2026, 5:55 pm)cainebj wrote There is a known "fault" with the checker system, and DVLA vehicle enquiry service, with no correction in sight. A number of Euro 5 vehicles show up incorrectly as being Euro 6 because they were registered new after the Euro 6 implementation date for buses (May 2014?), assuming an emission rating rather than using factual records. The 64 plate E300s new to Stagecoach Stockton all show as being Euro 6, as do Hodgsons 17 plate E200s, despite being Euro 5. Some V5 registration documents will even show a Euro 5 emission rating but the checker and DVLA VES show them as Euro 6, so the correct information is in the system somewhere. An absolute mockery of a system in my opinion.

I suppose, from this, that the forum member has knowledge that the B9TLs are actually only Euro 5 and may be querying whether Arriva will legitimately upgrade them to Euro 6 to work into Newcastle or whether they shall exploit the loophole while it exists, as Stagecoach Cumbria appear to be while utilising ex Stockton E300s on 685.

Don't GNE exploit this loophole with 15 reg Cummins StreetLites being used out of Consett on the likes of the X30s/X70s and 6?

It's absolutely nothing to do with Euro 5 or Euro 6 classification or any loopholes. It's all about the rated emissions/nox value shown in the V5.

Some Euro 5 vehicles are as clean as the oldest Euro 6 vehicles and therefore meet the requirements. Such as in this case and those of Stagecoach.

Euro 6 usually gets referred to by most, as it's the only emissions level that is currently 100% compliant with clean air zones and the only level that can be bought after the zone went live.