(25 Jun 2026, 6:19 pm)citaro5284 wrote ADL posted on their LinkedIn page today that earlier this week Arriva Management has been to sign off the first of 20 new MMC400's for Arriva North East

Earlier this week, we welcomed Arriva UK Bus colleagues to our Scarborough factory to sign off the first of 20 new #Enviro400 for Arriva North East. The new double-deckers are part of the group's ongoing record order for a total of 221 Alexander Dennis low-emission buses.

Colin Barnes, Kumbirai Shephard Mukombe, MBA, CMgr FCMI, Bill Francis and Brian Moore took the opportunity to closely inspect their new vehicles and confirm that they have been fully built to specification.

They were hosted by our National Account Manager Mark Ballam, who thanked the Arriva team for a productive visit and said: "We're delighted to hand over these double-deckers for the North East, where they will continue Arriva's investment in better buses for customers. We look forward to continuing deliveries to the group's operating companies throughout the year, rolling out many more Enviro200 and Enviro400!"

Are these extra ones that we do not know about, or are they already accounted for?

I’m pretty sure they are the ones for Ashington but I think they’re going to a shuttle festival first start of July before arriving at Ashington

Aren't they being used at a Open Golf Contract in Merseyside in July for a few weeks?

When they do enter service at Ashington, 7541-7552 should be leaving

(25 Jun 2026, 9:04 pm)davao123 wrote Aren't they being used at a Open Golf Contract in Merseyside in July for a few weeks?

When they do enter service at Ashington, 7541-7552 should be leaving

Yeah I think so, the event is taking place between 12th July and 19th July so after the 19th July they should start arriving at Ashington Depot to allow 7541-7552 to move to Yorkshire

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(25 Jun 2026, 5:30 pm)Shrek wrote One of the new E400MMC had had an argument with the traffic lights at Hazlerigg. Broken window upstairs near the back and lots of panels ripped down the right side.

Yeah I think it was 7722 while operating the 44 to Newcastle

(25 Jun 2026, 5:30 pm)Shrek wrote One of the new E400MMC had had an argument with the traffic lights at Hazlerigg. Broken window upstairs near the back and lots of panels ripped down the right side.

A Blyth one is this

(26 Jun 2026, 5:26 pm)Dan manger wrote A Blyth one is this

Yes, Blyth one on the 44.

First time traveling on one of the BYD electrics and I have to say I'm impressed. A far more comfortable ride than the new electrics for GNE on the 21. For those who are wondering, the next stop announcements are working and the air con is brilliant for a day like today.

(26 Jun 2026, 6:09 pm)Shrek wrote Yes, Blyth one on the 44.

First time traveling on one of the BYD electrics and I have to say I'm impressed. A far more comfortable ride than the new electrics for GNE on the 21. For those who are wondering, the next stop announcements are working and the air con is brilliant for a day like today.

Are the NSAs still displaying every stop as "where this service terminates"?

(26 Jun 2026, 8:21 pm)PH - BQA wrote Are the NSAs still displaying every stop as "where this service terminates"?

It wasn't on the one I was on. Only said that when we got to Haymarket

(27 Jun 2026, 1:39 pm)busesofthenortheast wrote 2 small GB Kites (3001 & 3002) are sat stored at Redcar Depot waiting to be moved to Darlington depot

Moving this to this thread

As of today, all 7 of the full length Kites have arrived with at least 2 at Darlington and the majority in storage at Belmont (either 4 or 5 - having driven past Faverdale yesterday, it appeared there was 3 there) - training is due to start tomorrow I understand.
5 of the short Kites have also appeared - 3001/2 and a third are presently parked in Redcar depot alongside the B9TLs, while a further pair are stated to be at Ashington depot for storage.

(28 Jun 2026, 12:16 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Moving this to this thread

As of today, all 7 of the full length Kites have arrived with at least 2 at Darlington and the majority in storage at Belmont (either 4 or 5 - having driven past Faverdale yesterday, it appeared there was 3 there) - training is due to start tomorrow I understand.
5 of the short Kites have also appeared - 3001/2 and a third are presently parked in Redcar depot alongside the B9TLs, while a further pair are stated to be at Ashington depot for storage.

Why do they get shipped off all round the North East rather than just all sent to Darlington in the first instance? Are Darlington short on space?

(28 Jun 2026, 2:23 pm)peter wrote Why do they get shipped off all round the North East rather than just all sent to Darlington in the first instance? Are Darlington short on space?

Work has barely started on Darlington's charging infrastructure - coupled to a trio of Blyth's BYDs still being parked in Faverdale also makes matters complicated.

(28 Jun 2026, 2:23 pm)peter wrote Why do they get shipped off all round the North East rather than just all sent to Darlington in the first instance? Are Darlington short on space?

(28 Jun 2026, 2:29 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Work has barely started on Darlington's charging infrastructure - coupled to a trio of Blyth's BYDs still being parked in Faverdale also makes matters complicated.

Could it to be with local council legislation which dicates how many vehicles can be on site?

(28 Jun 2026, 6:42 pm)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Could it to be with local council legislation which dicates how many vehicles can be on site?

Won't be a matter of councils. The Operator Licence (from the Traffic Commissioner) states the max number of PSVs that can be operated from each operating centre (takes account of maintenance facilities and parking room). See  https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...nce/155746

But as surely there are not 117 vehicles at Faverdale, there must be some other reason for the dispersal. Maybe the works to install chargers are reducing the capacity of the site temporarily?

Why do the newer ADL E400MMC not come with passenger seats next to the driver forward of the FWD axiles?

Asides from that, it was quite a smooth ride on 7725 to be fair. Quite smooth and got up the slip roads no bother on the 308.

New E400MMC for Ashington, 7701 YY26 FMO, seen at Southport for Open Golf today along with other new e400mmcs for Arriva Kent.

What I find interesting is the North East has gone for a black bumper on theirs, while Kent bumper is blue and fits in with the Arriva livery.

Cool how different Arriva divisions specify different things.

Just seen 8008 was at Silverstone last week. Any others? That one hasn't entered service yet here. Is there an updated time for the whole lot to be in use? Blyth seem to be allocating 7721 - 25 on the 43/44/45 routes mostly last few weeks, I guess until the rest of the BYD's come in then more will leave.

The Northumbria BYD deckers have now all left storage at Darlington.
Four full size Kites are now there, these being NV26 LTN/LTO/LTT/ XNU. Fleet numbers and vinyls have not yet been added.
Work continues on the installation of the electrical equipment at the depot. However the trenches required to get to the main parking apron which will be the location for the charging points have not yet been dug.

All of 7701-7714 (except 7706) are now in use on loan to Arriva Merseyside for the P&R at 'The Open' golf tournament. I believe 7706 is in Southport depot having not seen use. A couple of pics linked below from my Flickr. Most fully branded/numbered but a couple are plain blue. There's also 7 brand new ones for Arriva Kent Thameside also in use (6576-6582 for info). 7710/7712/7714 first used today.

7712 today https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmc1947/55402147643
7705 Thursday https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmc1947/55401410378
7713 Thursday https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmc1947/55400935525
7707 Thursday https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmc1947/55400587260
7704 Thursday https://www.flickr.com/photos/dmc1947/55398126702

HTH

EDIT - seems 7716 has appeared as well now.......

When are e200s due at redcar

(20 Jul 2026, 9:48 pm)Ryland wrote When are e200s due at redcar

Soon I been hearing

Are Ashington getting 7701-7715? If so what are they replacing?
Also will there be more? Looking at bus times 7716-7720 will be missing

(22 Jul 2026, 9:09 pm)TransitObserver wrote Are Ashington getting 7701-7715? If so what are they replacing?
Also will there be more? Looking at bus times 7716-7720 will be missing

7701-7720 If I remember right will be Ashington’s fleet. Replacing several older E400s (some of which have already gone!) and 7541-7552 are off to Yorkshire.

What was the name of the old buses that had the tall roof at the front ?


Is the 23 at Dundas Street Depot ?

(23 Jul 2026, 1:07 am)tyresmoke wrote 7701-7720 If I remember right will be Ashington’s fleet. Replacing several older E400s (some of which have already gone!) and 7541-7552 are off to Yorkshire.

Not quite. The new ones at Ashington will be replacing 7541-52 and some 72-plate E400s from what I've heard - certainly none of their older E400s moving to my knowledge (indeed may be receiving another one back...).