(27 Jan 2026, 7:12 pm)PH - BQA wrote Ashington had 9, maybe 10, boards off at one stage so I don't think there was much choice to be honest. 

I don't understand how Yorkshire have had 50+ new vehicles yet nothing has been sent up here as short term cover until the new NE vehicles arrive. Even if they're due to be scrapped, surely it makes sense to send them up here for a last hurrah before their final journey - they literally cannot be worse than no bus at all.

Didn't realise it was that dire up at Ashington, obviously don't see much as it's just the 57/57A down here and it's always prioritised because of the subsidy. Agreed though mind, or even redirect some of the new order up here and then when the later order comes send them to Yorkshire instead (or send the 17 Plates if they're going early once they get a grip)

(27 Jan 2026, 7:38 pm)L469 YVK wrote IMO, Arriva should have nothing older than the 14/64/15 plate E400 Classics kicking around Blyth or Ashington.

Everything older should be withdrawn.

I'd go as far to say that the newer E400 classics should just be on the 306 & 308. Bar the X9/553 and the 1/2, everything else at Blyth and Ashington should have newer deckers.

I know it's unlikely, but it would make sense for 7401-06 to see their days out on the 35 if it goes standalone with a padded 20 minute frequency.

Even known I get what you're saying just not sure it's really realistic right now to replace the whole fleet. Personally I'd have:

Ashington:
25x New E400MMC: X14/X15/X16/X18/X20/777
17 Plates + BOTW E400's: X21/X22
Worst E400's: 35
1574 - 1583 (Including 1579/80): 1/2
1602 - 1607: 57/57A

Blyth:
1499 - 1505: 553/X9
Electrics: 43/44/45
7616 - 7637: X7/X8/X10/X11
72 Plate E400MMC's: 306/308
4x E400: Spares

Out:
1512/1513: Durham (Swap for the 2 Streetlites)
57/58 E400's: Withdrawn
59 DB300's: Withdrawn
09/59/10 Pulsars: Withdrawn
61 Pulsars: Spread to whoever needs some / withdrawn

1602 - 1607 replaced at Darlington by the E400MMC's from Durham

Should be doable with what's due anyway, if the 17 Plates stayed, and would improve Northumbria massively and give some fleet tidying up between the depots with the next order in 2027 focusing on the X7/X8/X10/X11 whether that's electric or diesel then that's open.