(22 Apr 2014, 5:18 pm)robisdave wrote Don't know much about the x1 excepting for the fact it must surely be undermined? I was on it Good Friday and the young man from Stockton depot was having to toe it all the way just to keep somewhere near time! A classic example of the Arriva way of managing running times? How he was supposed to manage that route in just an hour, let alone deal with a packed Pulsar was altogether credible.

Sunday running times do need addressing, but I gather changes are limited by the university who fund the Sunday service.

(22 Apr 2014, 5:18 pm)robisdave wrote Don't know much about the x1 excepting for the fact it must surely be undermined? I was on it Good Friday and the young man from Stockton depot was having to toe it all the way just to keep somewhere near time! A classic example of the Arriva way of managing running times? How he was supposed to manage that route in just an hour, let alone deal with a packed Pulsar was altogether credible.

It was only 2 years ago that the X1 did cycle in 1 hour 55 minutes? They now cycle in over two hours, so I think its fair to say Arriva have tried to address it once before.

But typically people are still prepared to slate them for doing nothing...

I've seen the new X93 timetable and it looks much better for this summer, but still maybe concerning if the B7's are not up to it.

Look at the likes of the X3/X4 and their timetables from February compared to pre Feb? There is more time in both between Middlesbrough and Saltburn.

Same goes for the peak time Service 7 in Stockton (buses cycle in 1 hour 7 minutes instead of 55 minutes. Also, the peak time X17 (Compared with the X6) gets much more time between Yarm and Middlesbrough. Even the 17 group gets more time between Acklam and Middlesbrough in both the morning and afternoons since February!

I think its is fair to say that Arriva are reacting to the timing issues that exist, but I doubt that they have hoards of people doing the jobs required to get it all done and ultimately it takes time to get round to everything!

Saw a Sxxx ONL Daf rattling around on a 21a today.

Cant believe they are still going...

(22 Apr 2014, 5:15 pm)tyresmoke wrote The X1 doesn't have a dupe no, that finished when the deckers were introduced.

The ALX400 (7477) should have been the 1525 from Durham due through Coxhoe around 1545, guess it was still running late? I saw it going through Stockton towards Middlesbrough around 15-20 late at 1155

It was about 16.15 I saw it, which given they are half hourly, would fit with the 15.45 due time.

(22 Apr 2014, 7:22 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote Saw a Sxxx ONL Daf rattling around on a 21a today.

Cant believe they are still going...


It was about 16.15 I saw it, which given they are half hourly, would fit with the 15.45 due time.

All three of Stockton's are still running - whereas both Redcar's bit the dust some time ago!

(22 Apr 2014, 7:25 pm)Roland Pratt wrote All three of Stockton's are still running - whereas both Redcar's bit the dust some time ago!

Can remember using them on the GNE 21a and they were knackered even then in 2006!

The reaction of a driver seeing a waiting Sxxx ONL Daf, when forced into a change from a President at Chester, will live with me to this day.

(22 Apr 2014, 7:25 pm)Roland Pratt wrote All three of Stockton's are still running - whereas both Redcar's bit the dust some time ago!

4007 is terrible, 4006 and 4001 are better. Still prefer the native ones though.

Very Interested in that T81 AUA 4080 is a prestige...
Thought the DAF Ikarus had the AUA plates.
Which board do Redcar run her on and what is its history?

Looked around and found that the Enviro 400, B9TL, DB300 and the Lowlanders that are already being used on the X18 all have similar seating capacities so is there any other reason for Arriva going with the Enviro's?-Just thought if the E400'S had more seats it would mean happier passengers

(22 Apr 2014, 8:31 pm)mb134 wrote Looked around and found that the Enviro 400, B9TL, DB300 and the Lowlanders that are already being used on the X18 all have similar seating capacities so is there any other reason for Arriva going with the Enviro's?-Just thought if the E400'S had more seats it would mean happier passengers

E400s are the only double deck vehicle available within the timeframe given by Arriva UK.

(22 Apr 2014, 9:14 pm)tyresmoke wrote E400s are the only double deck vehicle available within the timeframe given by Arriva UK.

Ah right makes sense

They originally had an order down for 6 Volvo B9TL Gemini 2's for the X18 but Volvo / Wrightbus wouldn't be able to either guarentee a quick build date or, for them to be built within the 200 Euro 5 vehicle allowance for manufacturers outside of the UK and that also included the Euro 5 B5LH, 7900, B11 and B7RLE.

In Stockton again today and the 15's seem to be running in pairs and have been for the majority of the morning so far.

Is this normal?

(23 Apr 2014, 9:37 am)Andreos Constantopolous wrote In Stockton again today and the 15's seem to be running in pairs and have been for the majority of the morning so far.

Is this normal?

It's unusual for a Wednesday - normally 15s are hunting in packs on 3 or 4 coming lunchtime.

Nice to see "normal" operation back on the X93 this morning with Ommni 4651 running into MBS to run the 1025 Scarborough. Thought they had 6 B7's and at least 2 E400's down there? It's right what somebody said about it being a raff on and more right that it's just going to be another Redcar shambles when the summer timetable starts! Take it off them, give it do Stockton, give it to anybody!

(23 Apr 2014, 2:24 pm)robisdave wrote Nice to see "normal" operation back on the X93 this morning with Ommni 4651 running into MBS to run the 1025 Scarborough. Thought they had 6 B7's and at least 2 E400's down there? It's right what somebody said about it being a raff on and more right that it's just going to be another Redcar shambles when the summer timetable starts! Take it off them, give it do Stockton, give it to anybody!

4 B7s and 1 E400 at present, though it appears 7502 is back at Redcar as it has been on 81 today (with 7501) - B7s seen on X93 were 7484/5/6/8 and 7513 also on there so something has been swapped somewhere. 2 more B7s have been sighted in Redcar depot so would presume these to be 7487 and 7489. They're getting there, they had two breakdowns at once yesterday which caused a few problems.

"they had 2 breakdowns at once" is just the words I want to hear! You may have confidence in them but until they prove themselves over a protracted period of time, I must remain critical. At the end of the day I am the travelling public.

(23 Apr 2014, 2:24 pm)robisdave wrote Nice to see "normal" operation back on the X93 this morning with Ommni 4651 running into MBS to run the 1025 Scarborough. Thought they had 6 B7's and at least 2 E400's down there? It's right what somebody said about it being a raff on and more right that it's just going to be another Redcar shambles when the summer timetable starts! Take it off them, give it do Stockton, give it to anybody!

4651 is better than some of the stuff that appears!

(22 Apr 2014, 8:25 pm)buznut wrote Very Interested in that T81 AUA 4080 is a prestige...
Thought the DAF Ikarus had the AUA plates.
Which board do Redcar run her on and what is its history?

That was the only T-AUA that wasn't an Ikarus. They were dealer stock, as was 4082 (V-LWT). 4081 is the last survivor. It can turn up on anything. 63s, 22/64/64As, even X93s as it is tachod! Used to be a regular on the 5/X5 when Whitby did it. Apparently pretty popular with the drivers!

(23 Apr 2014, 7:46 pm)Roland Pratt wrote That was the only T-AUA that wasn't an Ikarus. They were dealer stock, as was 4082 (V-LWT). 4081 is the last survivor. It can turn up on anything. 63s, 22/64/64As, even X93s as it is tachod! Used to be a regular on the 5/X5 when Whitby did it. Apparently pretty popular with the drivers!

I caught 4080 a few years ago on the erstwhile X5. It had a full seated load and went up Lythe Bank like it wasn't there. Pains me to say it but it was a most enjoyable ride....on a Prestige!

Could the coaches currently at Ashington be used on the X93 or does it need to be a low floor vehicle?

(23 Apr 2014, 8:00 pm)mb134 wrote Could the coaches currently at Ashington be used on the X93 or does it need to be a low floor vehicle?

I think low floor buses have to be used because I think one of the councils wanted the service to be operated by low floor buses. (or something along those lines)

Some of those coaches were previously used on the 93.

(23 Apr 2014, 8:50 pm)Jimmi wrote I think low floor buses have to be used because I think one of the councils wanted the service to be operated by low floor buses. (or something along those lines)

Some of those coaches were previously used on the 93.

The 93/X93 was initially converted to fully accessible operation to comply with the requirements of Moorsbus, tickets of which were valid and sold.

Have to say that the SB3000s were perfect for the route - powerful, reliable and offered comfort for the passengers.

Later in the year,When the 14 new streetlite's are delivered at Redcar...What is likely to happen to the Pulsars,Temsa's & omicities ?
I guess the Darts & Prestiges will be up for disposal.

(23 Apr 2014, 8:55 pm)RGR756V wrote The 93/X93 was initially converted to fully accessible operation to comply with the requirements of Moorsbus, tickets of which were valid and sold.

Have to say that the SB3000s were perfect for the route - powerful, reliable and offered comfort for the passengers.

Sad to see them soon departing the fleet really. I had a few rides of them on the full stretch of the 685 route between Newcastle and Carlisle and must say I loved them.

Also had a ride on the full stretch of the X15 route between Newcastle and Berwick too. Undoubtedly a lot better than the return journey I had - a Pulsar.

(23 Apr 2014, 9:02 pm)Dan wrote Sad to see them soon departing the fleet really. I had a few rides of them on the full stretch of the 685 route between Newcastle and Carlisle and must say I loved them.

Also had a ride on the full stretch of the X15 route between Newcastle and Berwick too. Undoubtedly a lot better than the return journey I had - a Pulsar.

Yeah, the SB3000's are fantastic. Better than the Omncities on the 685. Hopefully the new coaches will be just as good.

(23 Apr 2014, 9:03 pm)Tom wrote Yeah, the SB3000's are fantastic. Better than the Omncities on the 685. Hopefully the new coaches will be just as good.

I miss them on the X66 those seats were so comfortable. Sadly the steps were a problem for OAPs and disabled passengers.

The SB3000s on the 685 route were notoriously 'unreliable' - at least by the time they were withdrawn.

Agreed they were comfortable, but, when they don't turn up on time (and sometimes not at all) the passengers complained.

At the time, Stagecoach were running 'buses' (rather than coaches) and they didn't suit the passengers either.

Now Arriva are running low-floor 'buses' but with leather seats - which doesn't suit the passengers (as the seats are slippery and there are no seatbelts - which the coaches had).

I rode one once and they're very powerful and solid buses the SB300's.

Durham service changes from Sunday 4th May.

https://fbcdn-photos-f-a.akamaihd.net/hp...6181_n.jpg

It's time something was done to give the people in Guisborough and along the corridor of the 5/5a route a fast service, along the lines of the old x5, until the people down Cargo Fleet Lane started moaning. We have the one direct service into Guisborough per hour and what is the point of running that has a "x" service when it's still carrying local passengers between the Bus Station and Brambles Farm/Ormesby X Roads; that's the idea of the high frequency services 9/27/27a.