(22 Jun 2015, 9:38 pm)S813 FVK wrote Sure we've had this discussion before...
Not all journeys on the 7 get busy enough to justify full double decker operation. Otherwise they would have purchased more than 5.

Please don't don't get him started

(22 Jun 2015, 9:38 pm)S813 FVK wrote Sure we've had this discussion before...
Not all journeys on the 7 get busy enough to justify full double decker operation. Otherwise they would have purchased more than 5.

I kinda agree like. The only trouble is, what are Arriva going to do with 7501 - 7509? The only thing I can see happening with them is 3 things if Arriva were just to buy 8 new buses for the X21 / X22.

- One kept as last resort spare for X21 / X22 with 35 being upgraded to Sapphire.
- They go to Blyth and either alongside 5 new Enviros or refurbished Gemini's, operate a Sapphire X10 / X11 service until they're flat on the ground.
- Get dispersed around the country as Sapphire spares for various divisions.

(22 Jun 2015, 9:45 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I kinda agree like. The only trouble is, what are Arriva going to do with 7501 - 7509? The only thing I can see happening with them is 3 things if Arriva were just to buy 8 new buses for the X21 / X22.

- One kept as last resort spare for X21 / X22 with 35 being upgraded to Sapphire.
- They go to Blyth and either alongside 5 new Enviros or refurbished Gemini's, operate a Sapphire X10 / X11 service until they're flat on the ground.
- Get dispersed around the country as Sapphire spares for various divisions.

I can't see the 35 upgrading to Sapphire after they recently received streetlites and got branded Eco Green

Just had an interesting discussion on the 22:01 82 from Barley Mow to Washington with Gary Hunter regarding Arriva's Optare Solo's! And the doorbell's on them! Seriously, doorbells.

(22 Jun 2015, 9:36 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If it was 7502, then that says it all.  7501-7506 are completely shot after being at not only Redcar but Blyth too. 7507 - 7509 are ok but Redcar did give them a bit of a hard time too. If deckers prove to be popular on the 7, do you think Arriva will buy a whole new fleet for the X21 / X22 and give 7522 - 7528 to Belmont and Darlington for the 7?

The thing that is annoying is that someone decided it could cope with a peak time run, we arrived in Newcastle 12 minutes late, with 5 minutes more than usual timetabled in to do the Regent Centre to Haymarket stretch. I know for a fact that certain boards don't hit Newcastle at peak times at all, put 7502 on one of these, and let the buses with some power handle the busier runs into Newcastle. 

As a comparison, 7524 was my ride home, after traffic lights made us 3 minutes late leaving Haymarket, we were on time by Regent Centre. We arrived in Bedlington a minute or two late, after stopping at Northumberlandia, and then the stop opposite Nelson Industrial Estate (and not being able to pull out because of a van in the bus stop). There was a massive noticeable difference between it and 7502, acceleration was far quicker and it didn't seem like it wanted to die every time it went over 30.

Anything running through croxdale to the honest lawyer and on to Durham running with extreme delays due to Durham county council putting temporary lights up where they're putting a new roundabout in

1418 is now reported as at Stockton and in use on the 9/27a today

2841 has returned to Faverdale this morning after repaint.

(23 Jun 2015, 6:29 am)mb134 wrote The thing that is annoying is that someone decided it could cope with a peak time run, we arrived in Newcastle 12 minutes late, with 5 minutes more than usual timetabled in to do the Regent Centre to Haymarket stretch. I know for a fact that certain boards don't hit Newcastle at peak times at all, put 7502 on one of these, and let the buses with some power handle the busier runs into Newcastle. 

As a comparison, 7524 was my ride home, after traffic lights made us 3 minutes late leaving Haymarket, we were on time by Regent Centre. We arrived in Bedlington a minute or two late, after stopping at Northumberlandia, and then the stop opposite Nelson Industrial Estate (and not being able to pull out because of a van in the bus stop). There was a massive noticeable difference between it and 7502, acceleration was far quicker and it didn't seem like it wanted to die every time it went over 30.

Well they need to do something. At least GNE are acknowledging problems with the Pronto and ate simply waiting forba suitable vehicle type to be found in the long term. That's what Arriva should be doing.

Houses on the route of X1 are receiving a leaflet about the service in the post, which includes a voucher for a free £7.70 day ticket.

(23 Jun 2015, 1:20 pm)John_R wrote Houses on the route of X1 are receiving a leaflet about the service in the post, which includes a voucher for a free £7.70 day ticket.

I imagine this will be because it's a MAX service so presumably they are now doing the same as they have on Sapphire services on MAX routes where they give free day tickets to people who live local to the route, I got some for the 7 after it became Sapphire and when the Enviro 400's were introduced.

(23 Jun 2015, 1:26 pm)Jimmi wrote I imagine this will be because it's a MAX service so presumably they are now doing the same as they have on Sapphire services on MAX routes where they give free day tickets to people who live local to the route, I got some for the 7 after it became Sapphire and when the Enviro 400's were introduced.

Yes, the leaflet is very similar inside, although you don't realise its about a bus service until you actually open it, as the front just has a couple on with the words "Darlington, darling?" next to them.

(23 Jun 2015, 6:29 am)mb134 wrote The thing that is annoying is that someone decided it could cope with a peak time run, we arrived in Newcastle 12 minutes late, with 5 minutes more than usual timetabled in to do the Regent Centre to Haymarket stretch. I know for a fact that certain boards don't hit Newcastle at peak times at all, put 7502 on one of these, and let the buses with some power handle the busier runs into Newcastle. 

As a comparison, 7524 was my ride home, after traffic lights made us 3 minutes late leaving Haymarket, we were on time by Regent Centre. We arrived in Bedlington a minute or two late, after stopping at Northumberlandia, and then the stop opposite Nelson Industrial Estate (and not being able to pull out because of a van in the bus stop). There was a massive noticeable difference between it and 7502, acceleration was far quicker and it didn't seem like it wanted to die every time it went over 30.

I have to disagree a bit with this. Had 7501 a few weeks and coped really well was a bit worn but considering its been Redcar and Blyth its still good, not completely flat
like someone else said, do you know why it was alright? all wifi and plugs were turned off.
The thing is I don't think the X93 or Blyth's caring maintenance has got nothing to do with the limited amount of power.

All buses converted to Sapphire have extra weight compared to the other 57 reg ones, this was because they added NSAs,Plugs,Wifi etc but no uprating the engines.
The amount of wires included with them all adds extra weight of course WIFI is weightless but the wires are not.
also the High back seats add extra weight all that with the econmospeed just makes the bus worse. I think some of them had econmospeed disabled?

It was not Redcar or Blyth that killed them it was Sapphire that killed them. Also in a few years time I bet we will be talking of how limp the 14 reg ones are.

(23 Jun 2015, 1:20 pm)John_R wrote Houses on the route of X1 are receiving a leaflet about the service in the post, which includes a voucher for a free £7.70 day ticket.

Arriva North East have sent out the leaflets in the peterlee area 2 weeks after service 22 and 24 went Sapphire with a free £7.70 day ticket coupon attached.

(23 Jun 2015, 3:18 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote I have to disagree a bit with this. Had 7501 a few weeks and coped really well was a bit worn but considering its been Redcar and Blyth its still good, not completely flat
like someone else said, do you know why it was alright? all wifi and plugs were turned off.
The thing is I don't think the X93 or Blyth's caring maintenance has got nothing to do with the limited amount of power.

All buses converted to Sapphire have extra weight compared to the other 57 reg ones, this was because they added NSAs,Plugs,Wifi etc but no uprating the engines.
The amount of wires included with them all adds extra weight of course WIFI is weightless but the wires are not.
also the High back seats add extra weight all that with the econmospeed just makes the bus worse. I think some of them had econmospeed disabled?

It was not Redcar or Blyth that killed them it was Sapphire that killed them.     Also in a few years time I bet we will be talking of how limp the 14 reg ones are.

I don't think all these expensive mods can actuallg kill the bus. I know it's extra weight but not that significant enough to cause any major performance issues. 7522 to 7528 will be fine at Ashington because Ashington look after their buses.

(23 Jun 2015, 3:32 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I don't think all these expensive mods can actuallg kill the bus. I know it's extra weight but not that significant enough to cause any major performance issues. 7522 to 7528 will be fine at Ashington because Ashington look after their buses.

No but with Econospeed and the great caring Blyth maintenance team and then the X93 and then all them mods it can kill a bus for sure.

(23 Jun 2015, 3:38 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote No but with Econospeed and the great caring Blyth maintenance team and then the X93 and then all them mods it can kill a bus for sure.

I'll reply to both of your posts here:

Okay, firstly how does WiFi and plugs being turned off help, I don't understand where you're coming from here?

Also, 7501-13 were built with high backed seats, and I don't imagine that the weight of the NSA system, a WiFi box, and the plugs will add too much weight, at most equivalent to an extra passenger? I'm unsure on this point, but I think the refurbished Pulsars handle alright? 

Econospeed should help them out, and I doubt whether 7522-40 will be struggling in a few years time, most if not all of 7514-21 are good, which are only a year and a half younger than the 57 plate sheds.

Reading this back, it sounds a tad like a rant, it wasn't intended in that way. Additionally, it also sounds I'm a tad anti-E400, I'll be the first to admit at this point last year I probably was, but after experiencing the '09 batch, and 7522-33, that view has changed drastically, and I now quite enjoy my time on them, as modern deckers go, they've got to be up there. 

Furthermore, this is going to sound unbelievably hypocritical I know, but occasionally, and I mean occasionally, I've had very good journeys on 7501-9, certain ones are shot, but others are very good vehicles on their day, 7503 is a good example of this
this

(23 Jun 2015, 6:05 pm)mb134 wrote I'll reply to both of your posts here:

Okay, firstly how does WiFi and plugs being turned off help, I don't understand where you're coming from here?

Also, 7501-13 were built with high backed seats, and I don't imagine that the weight of the NSA system, a WiFi box, and the plugs will add too much weight, at most equivalent to an extra passenger? I'm unsure on this point, but I think the refurbished Pulsars handle alright? 

Econospeed should help them out, and I doubt whether 7522-40 will be struggling in a few years time, most if not all of 7514-21 are good, which are only a year and a half younger than the 57 plate sheds.

Reading this back, it sounds a tad like a rant, it wasn't intended in that way. Additionally, it also sounds I'm a tad anti-E400, I'll be the first to admit at this point last year I probably was, but after experiencing the '09 batch, and 7522-33, that view has changed drastically, and I now quite enjoy my time on them, as modern deckers go, they've got to be up there. 

Furthermore, this is going to sound unbelievably hypocritical I know, but occasionally, and I mean occasionally, I've had very good journeys on 7501-9, certain ones are shot, but others are very good vehicles on their day, 7503 is a good example of this
this

Ill explain, its not just the NSA system, wifi box and the plugs its the wires that go with them if you notice when you sit at the back on the bottom floor theve had to add wire protector things ( I don't know what there called ) like ones in houses to the side of the wall.
The Wi-Fi and Plugs get electricity from the engine so the engine acts as a generator as well as driving the wheels, this reduces engine performance as it has to provide power for all instead of just one with the one being the wheels. The engine still has the same amount of power but has to provide for all reducing the power put to the wheels in the end making it a sort of limp mode. If the bus has Air-Con like Citaros when it is turned on that will take more energy from the engine reducing the amount put to the wheels even more.   
sorry if its mixed up or you don't get what im saying.
Im not the biggest fan of E400s but there alright, id say I prefer 7501-7513 more than newer ones!! You will never beat a Olympian though  

(23 Jun 2015, 6:05 pm)mb134 wrote I'll reply to both of your posts here:

Okay, firstly how does WiFi and plugs being turned off help, I don't understand where you're coming from here?

Also, 7501-13 were built with high backed seats, and I don't imagine that the weight of the NSA system, a WiFi box, and the plugs will add too much weight, at most equivalent to an extra passenger? I'm unsure on this point, but I think the refurbished Pulsars handle alright? 

Econospeed should help them out, and I doubt whether 7522-40 will be struggling in a few years time, most if not all of 7514-21 are good, which are only a year and a half younger than the 57 plate sheds.

Reading this back, it sounds a tad like a rant, it wasn't intended in that way. Additionally, it also sounds I'm a tad anti-E400, I'll be the first to admit at this point last year I probably was, but after experiencing the '09 batch, and 7522-33, that view has changed drastically, and I now quite enjoy my time on them, as modern deckers go, they've got to be up there. 

Furthermore, this is going to sound unbelievably hypocritical I know, but occasionally, and I mean occasionally, I've had very good journeys on 7501-9, certain ones are shot, but others are very good vehicles on their day, 7503 is a good example of this
this

I think that the Enviros are good motors if well looked after by their owners. Ok, I still don't think I could imagine one belting it up and down the A19 daily (well they could with a dedicated red spare) or the very rough Teeside / East Yorkshire Coastline, but they're good motors and despite not having as much ooomph as the B9, they do the job well considering how much money they save the operator.

(24 Jun 2015, 3:15 am)DaveyBowyer wrote I think that the Enviros are good motors if well looked after by their owners. Ok, I still don't think I could imagine one belting it up and down the A19 daily (well they could with a dedicated red spare) or the very rough Teeside / East Yorkshire Coastline, but they're good motors and despite not having as much ooomph as the B9, they do the job well considering how much money they save the operator.

Interestingly, on my way out of Haymarket the other day on 7524, a Cobalt Clipper B9 pulled alongside, and although acceleration off the line was quicker with the B9, we quickly passed it once we got going, before it had to slow down for it's set of traffic lights...

(22 Jun 2015, 9:38 pm)S813 FVK wrote Sure we've had this discussion before...
Not all journeys on the 7 get busy enough to justify full double decker operation. Otherwise they would have purchased more than 5.

Really? How many years did it take them to get deckers on the X93 when it was obvious to anyone that they needed them.

just a question that needs answering. when the blyths x4/x5 routes go max what will happen with 1401/1402/1403 will they get branded or transffered

(24 Jun 2015, 4:33 pm)buss14 wrote just a question that needs answering. when the blyths x4/x5 routes go max what will happen with 1401/1402/1403 will they get branded or transffered

1401 will stay in Arriva livery and 1402, 1403's future hasn't been released yet.

(24 Jun 2015, 4:33 pm)buss14 wrote just a question that needs answering. when the blyths x4/x5 routes go max what will happen with 1401/1402/1403 will they get branded or transffered

I'm not sure what's going to happen now as we have a huge lack of double decks, so it may well get "downgraded" to older DD when it goes Max, or maybe new(er) single decks but this may cause capacity issues?

(24 Jun 2015, 4:39 pm)tyresmoke wrote I'm not sure what's going to happen now as we have a huge lack of double decks, so it may well get "downgraded" to older DD when it goes Max, or maybe new(er) single decks but this may cause capacity issues?

Does the X4/X5/X13 really need to go Max though? The Max and Sapphire brands are being done to death now.

Sapphire doesn't really seem sparkly any more, now that we've got around ten Sapphire routes.

Why can't we just have WiFi fitted for the X4/5/13?

(24 Jun 2015, 4:45 pm)Tommy_1581 wrote Does the X4/X5/X13 really need to go Max though? The Max and Sapphire brands are being done to death now.

Sapphire doesn't really seem sparkly any more, now that we've got around ten Sapphire routes.

Why can't we just have WiFi fitted for the X4/5/13?

All of our long distance X-routes (bar the X21, presumably?!) will be re-branded as MAX eventually, as the growth being seen from both these & Sapphire routes are great.
I agree Sapphire is in danger of becoming nothing "special" if it gets rolled out any more, personally.

Looks like Arriva are giving the X12 a bit of a push. I've had a leaflet dropped through the door advertising that and MAX, along with a free X12 day ticket..

(24 Jun 2015, 5:27 pm)aureolin wrote Looks like Arriva are giving the X12 a bit of a push. I've had a leaflet dropped through the door advertising that and MAX, along with a free X12 day ticket..

Interesting timing what with the quieter summer season but with disruptions upcoming?!
Talking of which I got a Teesside map off Stagecoach through the door yesterday

(24 Jun 2015, 5:27 pm)aureolin wrote Looks like Arriva are giving the X12 a bit of a push. I've had a leaflet dropped through the door advertising that and MAX, along with a free X12 day ticket..

To be honest, would you really want to spend a day on the farce of which is the X12?

(24 Jun 2015, 5:29 pm)tyresmoke wrote Interesting timing what with the quieter summer season but with disruptions upcoming?!
Talking of which I got a Teesside map off Stagecoach through the door yesterday

Perhaps to encourage people to take the bus rather than sit through Durham traffic. It might put a few off when there bus is inevitably late, as it's been stuck in Durham like.