(04 Apr 2014, 9:47 pm)tyresmoke wrote Ok an update on the current situation for you all

Current Fleet updates
Reserve DAF 4045 has turned up in service at Jesmond following withdrawal (finally) by Stockton. Redcar DAF 4091 has been sent to Jesmond for review of some problem. 4068 has also transferred north but unsure where it has gone yet, possibly Blyth. All as a result of Volvo B7TLs arriving at Redcar. 7484/5/9/94 have so far arrived at Redcar, of which only 7489 is yet to enter service. ADL Enviro 400s 7508/11 are due to migrate south to Whitby over this weekend to provide extra double deck capacity for the Easter holidays whilst some B7s return to Ashington to have issues ironed out. Talking of Ashington, they now have the use of 7487.
Optare Solo 2503 was returned to Classic who have fitted it with a new engine, it is now back at Jesmond. DAF decker 7458 has been repainted for use at Jesmond.
Mini Dart 1711 is repainted as part of a 'float' fleet for later in the year to cover refurbishments, which will also include various Darts and probably a handful of double deck vehicles too.

Expected to be withdrawn (eventually, following refurbishment programs etc) as a result of new arrivals are:
MPDs below 1758
Darts 1611-1656
DAFs 7459-64
Tridents 7432-5

New Fleet
Changes to the known order sees the VDL Pulsars for the 306 become Streetlite "micro-hybrids", along with 2(?) for service 35 at Ashington and the 5 at Durham for service 23.
ADL Enviro 400s confirmed for Ashington service X18
Total orders now
Streetlite
Redcar x14 - service 4/X4 "Sapphire"
Stockton x10 - service 5/5a "Sapphire"
Streetlite "Micro-hybrid"
Jesmond x8 - service 306
Ashington x2 - service 35/35a
Durham x5 - service 23
ADL Enviro 400
Ashington x6 - service X18 "Max"
Ashington x6 - service X21/X22 "Sapphire"

Sapphire 2014
Alongside the new vehicles on order (as above), 8 ADL Enviro 400 (believed to be 7514-21) will be refurbished to be used on service X21/X22 at Ashington depot.

Introducing... Arriva Max
Max will be our new brand for express services, to be launched later in 2014. It will offer an upgraded specification for interurban services with free wi-fi and e-leather seating, so one step down from our "Sapphire" services but still upgraded. The North East will be the first to launch this in the UK group.

Services to be included in 2014 are:
- X10/X11 from Ashington... Refurbished VDL Gemini
- X14 from Ashington... Refurbished ADL Enviro 400
- X15 from Ashington... Refurbished coaches (believed to be transfers from GreenLine, those 55 plate Van Hools for example are heavily rumoured)
- X18 from Ashington... 6 new ADL Enviro 400
- X26/X27 from Darlington... Refurbished Scania Omnicity
- X66 from Darlington... Refurbished Scania Omnicity
Further Max services are expected to be announced for 2015.

I'd say that even though on paper the Streelite order for the 306 seems to be ridiculous, in another sense, it's actually a good idea if they go for the Streetlite Max. The seating capacity is very similar to the Pulsar 2 and the bodywork being smaller, then so will the fuel cost. Finally, despite the fact that the 308 timetable was changed and an extra bus was allocated, Arriva could simply revert back to the May 2010 change of keeping the 306 on the Coast Road if more changes were needed and instead of there being a 10 minute gap between the 306 and 308, there would only be a 7 minute gap between the 2 therefore helping the 308 out. Also, despite the small revenue loss of keeping it on the Coast Road, the better fuel economy would make up for the losses by not serving Battle Hill Drive and hopefully, reducing journey times on both the 306 and 308.