(18 Jun 2014, 7:25 pm)mb134 wrote Is there any reason for the 34 to have a double decker operating it? Every time I've seen it there has been a maximum of about 4 people on, often it looks completely empty, would it not be better suited to an MPD or is there something saying it must have a double decker?

The reason is that it works a school contract at the start and end of the day - same reason the 30 is also decker worked Monday to Friday. Saturdays I have seen B10BLEs used on there before. As for using MPDs on the 34, Ashington currently have 6 MPDs allocated (of course, 1764 is currently off the road hence 1711/2 being there) for a PVR of 5 (3 working 57s and 2 on Ashington's 33/57a/X14).

(18 Jun 2014, 7:34 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The reason is that it works a school contract at the start and end of the day - same reason the 30 is also decker worked Monday to Friday. Saturdays I have seen B10BLEs used on there before. As for using MPDs on the 34, Ashington currently have 6 MPDs allocated (of course, 1764 is currently off the road hence 1711/2 being there) for a PVR of 5 (3 working 57s and 2 on Ashington's 33/57a/X14).

Ah right ok makes sense now, thank you it just seemed a bit strange using a decker on a service that is hardly used

The new Arriva Teesside timetables are now available on-line on the website, to summarise the jist:

Stockton

5/5a

• revised to leave Middlesbrough 5 minutes later than present
  
• Journeys after 1630 further retimed (the present 1630 5a will leave at 1640, the 1645 5 will leave at 1700)
  
• The last 5a is now 15 minutes earlier at 1715 (currently 1730)
  
• There are 2 PM trips on the X5 leaving Middlesbrough at 1710 and 1740 - the online route map suggest the route between Middlesbrough and Skelton is via the A66, A1053 and A174)
  
• AM journeys on the X5 are 0705 and 0735 from Easington, arriving in Middlesbrough at 0805 and 0835
  

6

• Major change - service culled to run Stockton-Hartburn with the first journey from Stockton at 0930, last journey at 1530
  
• Service operates as now between Stockton High Street and Greens Lane (Dunedin Avenue Junction), it then carries on along Greens Lane onto Darlington Road, Birkdale Road to Dunedin Avenue before running inbound as now
  
• Stillington, Whitton and Redmarshall lost their Arriva service, while Fairfield becomes Stagecoach-only territory during the day once again
  

7/7a

• No real change noticeable
  

9

• Reintroduction of a 1741 Weekday and 1738 Saturday journey from Overfields to Middlesbrough
  
• To replace the present 1805 27 to Overfields, an additional journey on the 9 is added departing Middlesbrough at 1810 (which is now also the last journey to Overfields - see under 27)
  

17/17a/17b/X17

• Daytime timetable remains unchanged, however the first 17a and 17 out of Middlesbrough retimed to run 5 minutes earlier
  
• The 0720 17 (currently 0725) is extended to Kingsmead from Eaglescliffe Tesco
  
• Last 17b is now 1620 (currently 1725) while the 1625 X17 is withdrawn, as such the first X17 to Kingsmead is now 1650 (Sober Hall journey is now 1635 presently 1645)
  
• After 1630, the 17/17a run at odd gaps (1630 17 1635 X17 1640 17a 1650 X17 1655 17 1705 X17 1710 17a 1720 17 1725 X17 1730 17a 1740 X17 1745 17 1800 17a 1815 17 to Kingsmead)
  
• Evening 17s (as previously mentioned) now operate between Middlesbrough and Sober Hall, as such Bassleton Court is only served at weekday peak times
  
• Evening trips are also retimed - departing Middlesbrough at xx34 (currently xx05) arriving at xx47 (currently xx02) interworking with revised 27 (see 27)
  

27/27a

• Daytime times remain unchanged
  
• Evening Journeys no longer extend to Overfields, with the evening journeys retimed to run 5 minutes later to Netherfields and runs 6 minutes earlier into Middlesbrough
  
• New later journeys into Middlesbrough (2211 presently 2117) during the week (2150 operated the opposite way round Fulbeck Road on Sundays)
  

28/28b

• The 1605 from Middlesbrough to Lingdale and the 1625 to Nunthorpe are retimed to leave the Bus Station 5 minutes later, the 1610 reaching Nunthorpe 8 minutes later (1652 from 1644) and Lingdale likewise (1727 from 1719), the 1630 also arrives in Nunthorpe 8 minutes later than present
  
• The 1650 journey from Middlesbrough is extended to Guisborough, while the 1750 and 1815 journeys to Nunthrope are combined into a single journey at 1805 to Guisborough
  
• The 1710 to Lingdale will now return in service (presently runs light back to Stockton depot) as the 1832 28b
  

29/29a

• First 29a from Stokesley retimed to depart 12 minutes earlier (0637 presently 0649) arriving in Middlesbrough 10 minutes earlier than present with the second trip also retimed to leave 5 minutes earlier (0704 presently 0709) arriving in Middlesbrough at the same time as present, the 3rd trip (0745) also leaves Stokesley 12 minutes earlier but arrives in Middlesbrough at same time
  
• 29As are retimed to run 2 minutes earlier between Stokesley and Easterside, a minute earlier from Easterside to James Cook Hospital, 29s likewise now leave Cypress Road 2 minutes earlier
  
• The 1656 29 from Cypress Road is withdrawn while the 1636 now leaves 3 minutes later, however a new later departure from Cypress Road is added at 1744
  
• The 1755 29a from Stokesley is retimed to run 3 minutes later throughout
  
• Like the 28s, the 1615 29 and 1635 29a are retimed to leave Middlesbrough 5 minutes later
  
• The 1655 29a is replaced by a 29 at 1700 while the 1715 29 is now a 29a at 1720
  
• The 1735 29a now runs 15 minutes later at 1750 while the 1800 29a now runs 20 minutes later at 1820
  

X1 timetable from July is presently not online, instead the June 29th timetable is (which sees the Sunday timetable go hourly all year round)

Redcar

3

• Major route change - the service no longer serves Green Lane Estate in Redcar, and now operates via Saltburn
  
• Unlike present, the service only serves Skelton ASDA during store opening hours (last journeys to serve the site are the 1555 from Redcar and the 1555 from Lingdale)
  

4/X4

• Additional Sunday morning journey from Redcar to Whitby at 0807
  
• The 1620 short working to Saltburn is replaced by an X3a (see X3/X3a)
  
• Journeys after 1500 are retimed to run 5 minutes later throughout
  

22

• Timings at points between Redcar and New Marske have been
  adjusted evenings and Sundays to assist reliability
  

63

• The current peak time journeys that terminate at Redcar High Street (and the journey that finishes at the Clock) are extended to the Bus Station
  
• Journeys from Redcar after 1600 are retimed to run every 12 minutes (1602 1612 then every 12 minutes), likewise journeys after 1720 from Middlesbrough now operate every 12 minutes
  
• Daytime times also slightly changed to run 2 minutes earlier throughout
  

64/64a

• A few early morning journeys are retimed
  

81/81a

• Minor timetable changes
  
• 1525 and 1730 81 from Stokesley now runs 5 minutes later, 1625 and 1730 81a from Guisborough Market Place likewise
  
• 0750 81a from Stokesley now runs 5 minutes earlier
  
• 1607 and 1707 81 and the 1632 81a from Marske now run 5 minutes later
  
• Sunday 81s now run 1 minutes earlier from Guisborough to Coatham and arrives at Redcar Clock 2 minutes earlier, outbound also now leave Redcar 2 minutes earlier and 1 minute earlier from Coatham until The Voyager
  

X3/X3a

• The Weekday AM journeys that presently terminate at Redcar Clock are extended to Middlesbrough
  
• An additional peak time afternoon journey on the X3a is added from Middlesbrough at 1620
  
• Journeys after 1500 are retimed to run 5 minutes later throughout
  

(And yes, I did just type all that )

Ta for writing a news article for me, Tony!

When were the last similar service changes on Teesside? I seem to remember doing a news article on those, so it couldn't have been too long ago.

(18 Jun 2014, 11:18 pm)Dan wrote Ta for writing a news article for me, Tony!

When were the last similar service changes on Teesside? I seem to remember doing a news article on those, so it couldn't have been too long ago.

I hope I get credit then

Last changes were Feburary 16th and March 31st (service 6 only). This date is the date agreed by the Councils and Arriva as part of the Tees Valley Bus Partnership scheme.

These are all just minor changes and tweaks to take into account feedback gained from the major network change back in February. The 7 gets a 7th bus added on a Friday afternoon in an attempt to aid reliability, between 12 and 4 if I remember right.

Edit: The changes to the timings of the 5/5A have improved connections in Loftus onto the 4 to Whitby, where the wait is just 10 mins in both directions. The school time journeys on a morning have been given lots of extra time too, the 0745 out of Middlesbrough now gets to Guisborough at 0829 instead of 0818 for example.

Arriva are continuing to advertise Sapphire Service 7.

Today we received a leaflet advertising the service and inside it included two vouchers for all zone day tickets (must hand it to the driver on Service 7 too redeem day ticket).

They also have this competition too.
http://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2...FBhwkm&s=1

(18 Jun 2014, 11:04 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The new Arriva Teesside timetables are now available on-line on the website, to summarise the jist:

Stockton

5/5a

• revised to leave Middlesbrough 5 minutes later than present
  
• Journeys after 1630 further retimed (the present 1630 5a will leave at 1640, the 1645 5 will leave at 1700)
  
• The last 5a is now 15 minutes earlier at 1715 (currently 1730)
  
• There are 2 PM trips on the X5 leaving Middlesbrough at 1710 and 1740 - the online route map suggest the route between Middlesbrough and Skelton is via the A66, A1053 and A174)
  
• AM journeys on the X5 are 0705 and 0735 from Easington, arriving in Middlesbrough at 0805 and 0835
  

6

• Major change - service culled to run Stockton-Hartburn with the first journey from Stockton at 0930, last journey at 1530
  
• Service operates as now between Stockton High Street and Greens Lane (Dunedin Avenue Junction), it then carries on along Greens Lane onto Darlington Road, Birkdale Road to Dunedin Avenue before running inbound as now
  
• Stillington, Whitton and Redmarshall lost their Arriva service, while Fairfield becomes Stagecoach-only territory during the day once again
  

7/7a

• No real change noticeable
  

9

• Reintroduction of a 1741 Weekday and 1738 Saturday journey from Overfields to Middlesbrough
  
• To replace the present 1805 27 to Overfields, an additional journey on the 9 is added departing Middlesbrough at 1810 (which is now also the last journey to Overfields - see under 27)
  

17/17a/17b/X17

• Daytime timetable remains unchanged, however the first 17a and 17 out of Middlesbrough retimed to run 5 minutes earlier
  
• The 0720 17 (currently 0725) is extended to Kingsmead from Eaglescliffe Tesco
  
• Last 17b is now 1620 (currently 1725) while the 1625 X17 is withdrawn, as such the first X17 to Kingsmead is now 1650 (Sober Hall journey is now 1635 presently 1645)
  
• After 1630, the 17/17a run at odd gaps (1630 17 1635 X17 1640 17a 1650 X17 1655 17 1705 X17 1710 17a 1720 17 1725 X17 1730 17a 1740 X17 1745 17 1800 17a 1815 17 to Kingsmead)
  
• Evening 17s (as previously mentioned) now operate between Middlesbrough and Sober Hall, as such Bassleton Court is only served at weekday peak times
  
• Evening trips are also retimed - departing Middlesbrough at xx34 (currently xx05) arriving at xx47 (currently xx02) interworking with revised 27 (see 27)
  

27/27a

• Daytime times remain unchanged
  
• Evening Journeys no longer extend to Overfields, with the evening journeys retimed to run 5 minutes later to Netherfields and runs 6 minutes earlier into Middlesbrough
  
• New later journeys into Middlesbrough (2211 presently 2117) during the week (2150 operated the opposite way round Fulbeck Road on Sundays)
  

28/28b

• The 1605 from Middlesbrough to Lingdale and the 1625 to Nunthorpe are retimed to leave the Bus Station 5 minutes later, the 1610 reaching Nunthorpe 8 minutes later (1652 from 1644) and Lingdale likewise (1727 from 1719), the 1630 also arrives in Nunthorpe 8 minutes later than present
  
• The 1650 journey from Middlesbrough is extended to Guisborough, while the 1750 and 1815 journeys to Nunthrope are combined into a single journey at 1805 to Guisborough
  
• The 1710 to Lingdale will now return in service (presently runs light back to Stockton depot) as the 1832 28b
  

29/29a

• First 29a from Stokesley retimed to depart 12 minutes earlier (0637 presently 0649) arriving in Middlesbrough 10 minutes earlier than present with the second trip also retimed to leave 5 minutes earlier (0704 presently 0709) arriving in Middlesbrough at the same time as present, the 3rd trip (0745) also leaves Stokesley 12 minutes earlier but arrives in Middlesbrough at same time
  
• 29As are retimed to run 2 minutes earlier between Stokesley and Easterside, a minute earlier from Easterside to James Cook Hospital, 29s likewise now leave Cypress Road 2 minutes earlier
  
• The 1656 29 from Cypress Road is withdrawn while the 1636 now leaves 3 minutes later, however a new later departure from Cypress Road is added at 1744
  
• The 1755 29a from Stokesley is retimed to run 3 minutes later throughout
  
• Like the 28s, the 1615 29 and 1635 29a are retimed to leave Middlesbrough 5 minutes later
  
• The 1655 29a is replaced by a 29 at 1700 while the 1715 29 is now a 29a at 1720
  
• The 1735 29a now runs 15 minutes later at 1750 while the 1800 29a now runs 20 minutes later at 1820
  

X1 timetable from July is presently not online, instead the June 29th timetable is (which sees the Sunday timetable go hourly all year round)

Redcar

3

• Major route change - the service no longer serves Green Lane Estate in Redcar, and now operates via Saltburn
  
• Unlike present, the service only serves Skelton ASDA during store opening hours (last journeys to serve the site are the 1555 from Redcar and the 1555 from Lingdale)
  

4/X4

• Additional Sunday morning journey from Redcar to Whitby at 0807
  
• The 1620 short working to Saltburn is replaced by an X3a (see X3/X3a)
  
• Journeys after 1500 are retimed to run 5 minutes later throughout
  

22

• Timings at points between Redcar and New Marske have been
  adjusted evenings and Sundays to assist reliability
  

63

• The current peak time journeys that terminate at Redcar High Street (and the journey that finishes at the Clock) are extended to the Bus Station
  
• Journeys from Redcar after 1600 are retimed to run every 12 minutes (1602 1612 then every 12 minutes), likewise journeys after 1720 from Middlesbrough now operate every 12 minutes
  
• Daytime times also slightly changed to run 2 minutes earlier throughout
  

64/64a

• A few early morning journeys are retimed
  

81/81a

• Minor timetable changes
  
• 1525 and 1730 81 from Stokesley now runs 5 minutes later, 1625 and 1730 81a from Guisborough Market Place likewise
  
• 0750 81a from Stokesley now runs 5 minutes earlier
  
• 1607 and 1707 81 and the 1632 81a from Marske now run 5 minutes later
  
• Sunday 81s now run 1 minutes earlier from Guisborough to Coatham and arrives at Redcar Clock 2 minutes earlier, outbound also now leave Redcar 2 minutes earlier and 1 minute earlier from Coatham until The Voyager
  

X3/X3a

• The Weekday AM journeys that presently terminate at Redcar Clock are extended to Middlesbrough
  
• An additional peak time afternoon journey on the X3a is added from Middlesbrough at 1620
  
• Journeys after 1500 are retimed to run 5 minutes later throughout
  

(And yes, I did just type all that )

Can't beat a good CULL.

(19 Jun 2014, 1:18 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Can't beat a good CULL.

A good cull? Not much being cut, only really service 6 to Stilly (blame Leven for that one!) and the evening service to Overfields - though they still have a half hourly 63 and hourly service 5 to the edges of the estate. This was required to get the 17/27 to cycle properly, and having worked the evening 27s many times I don't think anybody in Overfields will miss it... I am intrigued to see what usage the 17s get round Ingleby Barwick on an evening/Sunday though.

(19 Jun 2014, 1:55 pm)tyresmoke wrote A good cull? Not much being cut, only really service 6 to Stilly (blame Leven for that one!) and the evening service to Overfields - though they still have a half hourly 63 and hourly service 5 to the edges of the estate. This was required to get the 17/27 to cycle properly, and having worked the evening 27s many times I don't think anybody in Overfields will miss it... I am intrigued to see what usage the 17s get round Ingleby Barwick on an evening/Sunday though.

BIB: very much so, hard to imagine a few months ago that the most reliable service to Stillington would be the Arriva one (especially with how tight the timetable looked at first). Not looking forward to July 21st when we go from a daytime 'every 30 minutes' to a daytime 'hourly timetable but can get gaps of upto 90 minutes' frequency.

Arriva Sapphire WiFi appears to be blocking YouTube for some reason.

(20 Jun 2014, 12:44 pm)Jimmi wrote Arriva Sapphire WiFi appears to be blocking YouTube for some reason.

Many bus operators do this. It's because streaming videos uses a large amount of data. If one user is streaming videos, the Internet connection for everyone else is massively reduced.

(20 Jun 2014, 12:45 pm)Dan wrote Many bus operators do this. It's because streaming videos uses a large amount of data. If one user is streaming videos, the Internet connection for everyone else is massively reduced.

Don't know why I'm annoyed as you could never watch a video as it would stop every 3 seconds and have about 30 seconds of buffering.

(20 Jun 2014, 12:45 pm)Dan wrote Many bus operators do this. It's because streaming videos uses a large amount of data. If one user is streaming videos, the Internet connection for everyone else is massively reduced.

Ditto with TOC's too.

(19 Jun 2014, 1:55 pm)tyresmoke wrote A good cull? Not much being cut, only really service 6 to Stilly (blame Leven for that one!) and the evening service to Overfields - though they still have a half hourly 63 and hourly service 5 to the edges of the estate. This was required to get the 17/27 to cycle properly, and having worked the evening 27s many times I don't think anybody in Overfields will miss it... I am intrigued to see what usage the 17s get round Ingleby Barwick on an evening/Sunday though.

BLAME Leven? If you hadn't've changed your 6 they would never have put the 84 on! They can obviously make it pay!

Arriva causing chaos in Durham bus station again. Driver pulls in and dumps 7433 in stand C, some 15 minutes before departure time. Nobody turns up for a further 10 Minutes and meanwhile the GNE 44 and 15A have prevented other services using their allocated stands. Staff at the bus station don't care like. They've been out having a few tabs for the past 25 mins.

(20 Jun 2014, 4:32 pm)aureolin wrote Arriva causing chaos in Durham bus station again. Driver pulls in and dumps 7433 in stand C, some 15 minutes before departure time. Nobody turns up for a further 10 Minutes and meanwhile the GNE 44 and 15A have prevented other services using their allocated stands. Staff at the bus station don't care like. They've been out having a few tabs for the past 25 mins.

Why does that not surprise me - I think someone's chained to that step & smoking tabs !

(20 Jun 2014, 4:36 pm)busman101 wrote Why does that not surprise me - I think someone's chained to that step & smoking tabs !

Arriva are a nightmare in Durham bus station. they're allocated more stands than anyone else, yet they feel they have a free reign to dump their buses wherever they want. it's every other day they cause chaos that I see.

as for the smoking... yeah there's something wrong when you're constantly seeing supervisors smoking infront of a no smoking sign

(20 Jun 2014, 4:32 pm)aureolin wrote Arriva causing chaos in Durham bus station again. Driver pulls in and dumps 7433 in stand C, some 15 minutes before departure time. Nobody turns up for a further 10 Minutes and meanwhile the GNE 44 and 15A have prevented other services using their allocated stands. Staff at the bus station don't care like. They've been out having a few tabs for the past 25 mins.

Sadly this is a normal occurrence.
Often services using stand J will often arrive early and another bus is on that stand, so they pull onto stand K which often results in Service 7 using stand L which means services 20/20A/40 pull in next to the stand.

Could drivers also turn up early for there shift instead of turning up one minute before the bus is due out which means the bus leaves late and buses have to pull onto the wrong stands.

(20 Jun 2014, 4:43 pm)Jimmi wrote Sadly this is a normal occurrence.
Often services using stand J will often arrive early and another bus is on that stand, so they pull onto stand K which often results in Service 7 using stand L which means services 20/20A/40 pull in next to the stand.

Could drivers also turn up early for there shift instead of turning up one minute before the bus is due out which means the bus leaves late and buses have to pull onto the wrong stands.

I guess it depends from which time a driver gets paid from. Most are paid by the hour rather than salaried, but you'd expect rotas to factor in time to take over a bus before its due away.

(20 Jun 2014, 4:43 pm)Jimmi wrote Sadly this is a normal occurrence.
Often services using stand J will often arrive early and another bus is on that stand, so they pull onto stand K which often results in Service 7 using stand L which means services 20/20A/40 pull in next to the stand.

Could drivers also turn up early for there shift instead of turning up one minute before the bus is due out which means the bus leaves late and buses have to pull onto the wrong stands.

Totally agree. Apparently Arriva do a similar thing in Bishop Auckland bus station.

(20 Jun 2014, 7:05 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Totally agree. Apparently Arriva do a similar thing in Bishop Auckland bus station.

It usually not too bad when I've been there, drivers are often wondering around but that's because of layover time between journeys on Services 1/5/5A.

Does anyone know how driver changeovers are done for Service 87.

(20 Jun 2014, 4:01 pm)Roland Pratt wrote BLAME Leven? If you hadn't've changed your 6 they would never have put the 84 on! They can obviously make it pay!

If they can make it pay by carrying next to nothing, they are doing well.

Its the same as the H66, A66, Sunday 77 and the extra 45's. Judging by the peak time loads i've witnessed, they are definitely not 'paying'. 2 passengers on a peak trip is woeful.

Its only a matter of time before Mr Proctor withdraws his chequebook and Leven Valley curl back into their shell again.

I waited for the 08:28 685 towards Hexham at Corbridge Riverside this morning, but it went through Corbridge Middle Street onto the A69 via Watling Street and Stagshaw Road - bypassing Dilston and Hexham East altogether.

Fortunately there was a GNE TEN at 08:32.

(21 Jun 2014, 9:12 am)G-CPTN wrote I waited for the 08:28 685 towards Hexham at Corbridge Riverside this morning, but it went through Corbridge Middle Street onto the A69 via Watling Street and Stagshaw Road - bypassing Dilston and Hexham East altogether.

Fortunately there was a GNE TEN at 08:32.

I thought that diversion ended?

(21 Jun 2014, 9:20 am)Dan wrote I thought that diversion ended?

Yes, it ended a couple of weeks ago!

According to the NCC website it is due to be completed by 07 July, at the moment the bridge is controlled by 2 way traffic lights.

Some good news that has come to light in the past few weeks is that an additional order has been gained which sees 9x 8.8m Streetlites on order for Darlington services 13a/13b, bringing the total new vehicles to 61 for 2014 for the North East. These will help to displace the rest of the older Mini Darts, with 5 05-plate MPDs due to move to Blyth to replace their remaining non DDA Darts.

(21 Jun 2014, 10:49 am)Coppercap40 wrote According to the NCC website it is due to be completed by 07 July, at the moment the bridge is controlled by 2 way traffic lights.

No - all work finished 23rd May (in time for the County Show at Bywell) although traffic lights were in operation in early June to clear the work compound - all cleared now for at least ten days.

http://www.hexhamcourant.co.uk/news/dils...-1.1138064

(21 Jun 2014, 11:09 am)tyresmoke wrote Some good news that has come to light in the past few weeks is that an additional order has been gained which sees 9x 8.8m Streetlites on order for Darlington services 13a/13b, bringing the total new vehicles to 61 for 2014 for the North East. These will help to displace the rest of the older Mini Darts, with 5 05-plate MPDs due to move to Blyth to replace their remaining non DDA Darts.

I can only assume that the 9/10 will no doubt get the same treatment next year?