(24 Aug 2015, 9:05 pm)Dan wrote Different batch completely weren't they? Never heard a good word said about those two.

Ah yes were they the two that had bench seats?

(24 Aug 2015, 9:05 pm)Dan wrote Different batch completely weren't they? Never heard a good word said about those two.

Think them two came from First Stop Travel and were refurbished for Darlington depot before entering service with Arriva. They weren't the best from what I remember having only ridden them once or twice, think Darlington probably killed them by often allocating them to the 8A/33 Darlington - Ferryhill - Hartlepool before moving to Durham when they were only really fit for the 63/64. Also like most of the ex First Stop Travel referbs they turned incredibly tatty inside very quickly.

(24 Aug 2015, 9:05 pm)Dan wrote Different batch completely weren't they? Never heard a good word said about those two.

1795/6 were the worst two vehicles I've ever had the experience of, actively avoided the number 2 when they operated it, as I actually wanted to get to my destination. They were horrendously bad, embarrassments really.

hi
just wanted to, someone on here said that 3 darts will be moving to jesmond for the x16, does anyone know which?

(25 Aug 2015, 8:39 am)buss14 wrote hi
just wanted to, someone on here said that 3 darts will be moving to jesmond for the x16, does anyone know which?

I think it's been said that they'll be Blyth's WiFi Darts, so 1773/4/5

(25 Aug 2015, 8:45 am)mb134 wrote I think it's been said that they'll be Blyth's WiFi Darts, so 1773/4/5

thank you, i never thought a dart would be big enough for the x16

(24 Aug 2015, 8:11 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Though even in there last years on the X15 they still felt comfy , and well suited to the route and my nana used to ask me " Are these buses new? " and she was really surprised to hear they were 15 years old!    Shame we cant say the same about the buses that replaced them ( Enviro 400 )

The primas were more comfortable than the current E400s

(24 Aug 2015, 8:59 pm)Dan wrote I've only had a ride of 1101 but it was pretty quick off the mark and was in very good condition internally:

https://flic.kr/p/rhG94w
https://flic.kr/p/qkYNw2

Much nicer than an MPD, in my opinion, but I have a soft spot for most ALX200s.

I have never been on one but they look nice. I don't think they could beat an MP though

(24 Aug 2015, 6:01 pm)DanPicken wrote Neither will I we need the engineers on it now!

This is Blyth though that we are talking about, it rattled along the A1

(25 Aug 2015, 8:45 am)mb134 wrote I think it's been said that they'll be Blyth's WiFi Darts, so 1773/4/5

Seemingly not - instead, those three are said to be going to Ashington to allow their WiFi MPDs (1792/1800/1) to go to Jesmond.

(25 Aug 2015, 9:12 am)Kuyoyo wrote Seemingly not - instead, those three are said to be going to Ashington to allow their WiFi MPDs (1792/1800/1) to go to Jesmond.

i understand sending 1800 and 1801 and 1792 as they are more quicker and in good condition than others at ashington

(24 Aug 2015, 9:02 pm)South Tyne Lad wrote Apparently the ALX200s at Blyth are affectionately nicknamed Knobs?

The three letters at the end of the registration were 'KNB'.....

(25 Aug 2015, 9:50 am)GX03 SVC wrote The three letters at the end of the registration were 'KNB'.....

i was whating for one of the staff to write o in the middle of the n nd the b

Pensioners complain more than anyone else about buses, be they late/non runners/old, or just not going to and from precisely where they want them to.

The fact they don't pay for their fares in any case doesnt ever seem to make them grateful for what they do get!

(25 Aug 2015, 9:12 am)Kuyoyo wrote Seemingly not - instead, those three are said to be going to Ashington to allow their WiFi MPDs (1792/1800/1) to go to Jesmond.

Failing to see the sense in that, moving 6 buses around instead of three, but I'm sure there'll be a 'reason'...

(25 Aug 2015, 12:18 pm)tvd wrote Pensioners complain more than anyone else about buses, be they late/non runners/old, or just not going to and from precisely where they want them to.

The fact they don't pay for their fares in any case doesnt ever seem to make them grateful for what they do get!

 
I was in Bedlington this morning, waiting for an X22, and a few were complaining about the 57, if they paid, then maybe there'd be a more frequent service, with better punctuality!!

if the x16 is allocated MPD's, i wonder how long it will take for jesmond to put a solo on the route?

(25 Aug 2015, 2:05 pm)buss14 wrote if the x16 is allocated MPD's, i wonder how long it will take for jesmond to put a solo on the route?

The X16/33 will be allocated MPDs and whatever Jesmond throws onto the X16/33 will be a bonus to passengers!

I don't know if this been said but I saw 1903 in service today at i was lead to believe it was withdrawn

(25 Aug 2015, 2:43 pm)jaimzm wrote I don't know if this been said but I saw 1903 in service today at i was lead to believe it was withdrawn

Still going strong that one, bit slow but otherwise pretty capable. There are worse Cadets still going.
1756 was removed from Stockton today by Alpha's for scrap.

(25 Aug 2015, 5:32 pm)tyresmoke wrote Still going strong that one, bit slow but otherwise pretty capable. There are worse Cadets still going.
1756 was removed from Stockton today by Alpha's for scrap.

Speak to the driver would got 25 minutes back with it on Saturday (before the ticket machine issue )

How many Quorum Express branded Gemini's are left in service and what services are they used on as I'd like to get some photos of them although it looks like I'm going to struggle.

(25 Aug 2015, 10:10 pm)Jimmi wrote How many Quorum Express branded Gemini's are left in service and what services are they used on as I'd like to get some photos of them although it looks like I'm going to struggle.

7601, 7603 and 7606 should be still trundling around.
Quorum Express routes X4 and X5 mainly, plus cameo appearances on X10, X11, 308 etc yadayada

(25 Aug 2015, 10:18 pm)tyresmoke wrote 7601, 7603 and 7606 should be still trundling around.
Quorum Express routes X4 and X5 mainly, plus cameo appearances on X10, X11, 308 etc yadayada

.... on the 1 or maybe at another depot ...

4652 is on loan from Stockton to Whitby today to operate service 193 to the Egton Show. Understand that 1434 has come the other way. Logic?

I think Ashington ran an extra X22 last night from Haymarket, I arrived at 9.45 and there was an X21 and X22 in adjacent stands, unless the X22 was 30+ late, which is unlikely. Credit to Ashington if they did run a duplicate, both were packed, hence my decision to wait for the 10.15 X22 (which was also pretty much full).

(26 Aug 2015, 8:35 am)tyresmoke wrote 4652 is on loan from Stockton to Whitby today to operate service 193 to the Egton Show. Understand that 1434 has come the other way. Logic?

And 1434 is out on 15s

Is there any chance that 1320-28 could be branded Frequenta for service 64 in Durham? After all it does run every 10 minutes Claypath to the Arnison Centre! Also any idea when the 7, 15 and 63 are expected to become Frequenta??

(26 Aug 2015, 1:06 pm)peter wrote Is there any chance that 1320-28 could be branded Frequenta for service 64 in Durham? After all it does run every 10 minutes Claypath to the Arnison Centre! Also any idea when the 7, 15 and 63 are expected to become Frequenta??

I wouldn't rule it out in the future!
The Pulsars on service 15 have been fitted with wifi for a few months now, but the MAX projects in Northumberland are taking place first with buses at Thorntons for refurbishment. Presumably once these start to be completed there may well be spare capacity to push on with the Frequenta projects, though we're probably looking at early 2016 for the launch now I would guess.

Sapphire 7 branded 7540 currently sat on Burnhill Way, Newton Aycliffe with a smashed window.