(14 Dec 2020, 8:15 pm)Citaro5338 wrote Arriva Northumbria Routes 57/57A has received a lot of odd and very rare allocations over the last week covering various breakdowns
Tuesday 8th December: 7533 covering for 1800 which broke down while operating service 57
Wednesday 9th December: 7543 on evening 57A covering for 2813 which broke down while on 57A
Thursday 10th December: 1580 allocated all day on 57/57A in place of a solo
Friday 11th December : 1579 allocated all day on 57/57A in place of 2809 releasing 2813 to cover 1801. Later that day 2813 got replaced by 7553 for unknown reasons
Sunday 13th December: 1580 was allocated mid journey in place of 2813
Today 7510 was allocated in place of 2813 but 7510 had broke down meaning 7541 replaced it on 57/57A

As far as I know at least one of the Solos is having recurring issues, and the MPDs are starting to show their age (and their hammerings on the 518 shorts early in their lives). Doesn't help that 2 out of 3 Solos at the depot have to be out all day every day, as the MPDs don't meet evening 57A contract spec. 

While of course ANE need new minibuses, I think the issue is more apparent at Ashington because they only have 5 for a minibus PVR of 4, so unlike Blyth/Jesmond if they have more than one off the road the only option is a big bus.

There are obviously reasons other than issues with the minibuses though. At the moment, looking at the Ashington fleet you 6 buses which are primarily allocated to the 35 (1407, 7445/6/84/86 and 7510). If the Sapphire/MAX allocation goes to plan then in theory you have at least one Streetlite spare and it's better to put one of those out on the 57 cycle than a minibus to aid with social distancing etc.