(06 Oct 2015, 5:42 am)NK53 TKT wrote NSAs would be hard, most of it uses the A69, it would be worse having ones on the X85 though

Eh? How do you figure that one out?

I reckon if the 85/685 was operated by one company throughout and based more centrally (like it was at Hexham) it'd cause a lot less dead mileage (take one board a day that goes light from Jesmond to Haltwhistle! There's more than that too!) and would give scope for fleet standardisation across the route.

As I have stated before, I think the shortfall of the route is not having deckers. As far as I am aware, the only thing stopping deckers on the 685 route (note, not 185) is the low trees outside of Corbridge - where hardly anyone uses!

Plug sockets is definitely needed on the route, as is Wifi - Stagecoach have Wifi on their ADL E300s so it is entirely possible.

Mind you, after saying all of that, it's worth remembering that the majority (if not all) of the route is not subsidised - ran as a commercial venture. It's fair enough other routes having money thrown at them in the likes of Newcastle but still, an operator as big as Arriva should be able to cope.

1421 and 2807 are the latest Stockton vehicles to have their original livery modified with the New livery skirt.

Here is a photo of newly transferred 0664 to Ashington.
Arriva Northumbria: 0664 | W664 CWX by DRS68008, on Flickr

(09 Oct 2015, 7:27 am)northern156 wrote Eh? How do you figure that one out?

I reckon if the 85/685 was operated by one company throughout and based more centrally (like it was at Hexham) it'd cause a lot less dead mileage (take one board a day that goes light from Jesmond to Haltwhistle! There's more than that too!) and would give scope for fleet standardisation across the route.

As I have stated before, I think the shortfall of the route is not having deckers. As far as I am aware, the only thing stopping deckers on the 685 route (note, not 185) is the low trees outside of Corbridge - where hardly anyone uses!

Plug sockets is definitely needed on the route, as is Wifi - Stagecoach have Wifi on their ADL E300s so it is entirely possible.

Mind you, after saying all of that, it's worth remembering that the majority (if not all) of the route is not subsidised - ran as a commercial venture. It's fair enough other routes having money thrown at them in the likes of Newcastle but still, an operator as big as Arriva should be able to cope.

What I think should happen is the same livery for the 85/685 across both operators with operator fleetnames. All with the same spec of Wifi, power sockets, NSAs etc

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(09 Oct 2015, 7:27 am)northern156 wrote Eh? How do you figure that one out?

I reckon if the 85/685 was operated by one company throughout and based more centrally (like it was at Hexham) it'd cause a lot less dead mileage (take one board a day that goes light from Jesmond to Haltwhistle! There's more than that too!) and would give scope for fleet standardisation across the route.

As I have stated before, I think the shortfall of the route is not having deckers. As far as I am aware, the only thing stopping deckers on the 685 route (note, not 185) is the low trees outside of Corbridge - where hardly anyone uses!

Plug sockets is definitely needed on the route, as is Wifi - Stagecoach have Wifi on their ADL E300s so it is entirely possible.

Mind you, after saying all of that, it's worth remembering that the majority (if not all) of the route is not subsidised - ran as a commercial venture. It's fair enough other routes having money thrown at them in the likes of Newcastle but still, an operator as big as Arriva should be able to cope.

What I think should happen is the same livery for the 85/685 across both operators with operator fleetnames. All with the same spec of Wifi, power sockets, NSAs etc

(09 Oct 2015, 3:04 pm)GX03 SVC wrote Here is a photo of newly transferred 0664 to Ashington.
Arriva Northumbria: 0664 | W664 CWX by DRS68008, on Flickr

Somebody is eager about the 35A tomorrow

(09 Oct 2015, 7:27 am)northern156 wrote Eh? How do you figure that one out?

I reckon if the 85/685 was operated by one company throughout and based more centrally (like it was at Hexham) it'd cause a lot less dead mileage (take one board a day that goes light from Jesmond to Haltwhistle! There's more than that too!) and would give scope for fleet standardisation across the route.

As I have stated before, I think the shortfall of the route is not having deckers. As far as I am aware, the only thing stopping deckers on the 685 route (note, not 185) is the low trees outside of Corbridge - where hardly anyone uses!

Plug sockets is definitely needed on the route, as is Wifi - Stagecoach have Wifi on their ADL E300s so it is entirely possible.

Mind you, after saying all of that, it's worth remembering that the majority (if not all) of the route is not subsidised - ran as a commercial venture. It's fair enough other routes having money thrown at them in the likes of Newcastle but still, an operator as big as Arriva should be able to cope.

I figure it out because alol it would say is 'Next Stop Corbridge' when that is about 25 minutes away, that is why the TTX has no NSAs

There are stops along the A69 though.

(09 Oct 2015, 3:34 pm)NK53 TKT wrote I figure it out because alol it would say is 'Next Stop Corbridge' when that is about 25 minutes away, that is why the TTX has no NSAs

The Arriva X66 has next stop announcements where there is a gap of 15 minutes between Great Burdon and Stockton so I couldn't see why the 85/685 couldn't have them. One thing I will say is that if express routes are going to have next stop announcements I think they should either have a voice announcement twice or when it is nearer to the bus stop.

I was on service 22 streetlite yesterday morning leaving peterlee bus station to Sunderland, and before it reached littlethorpe bus stop, the NSA/screen says Littlethorpe Hospital, this will confuse psassengers as the hospital got knocked down many moons ago, the NSA should of just said Littlethorpe as there is only one bus stop eachway.

(09 Oct 2015, 3:41 pm)Jimmi wrote The Arriva X66 has next stop announcements where there is a gap of 15 minutes between Great Burdon and Stockton so I couldn't see why the 85/685 couldn't have them. One thing I will say is that if express routes are going to have next stop announcements I think they should either have a voice announcement twice or when it is nearer to the bus stop.

You can do it as you are approaching the stop rather than leaving the previous stop.  I am lead to believe that is how the Oxford Tube operates.

(09 Oct 2015, 7:33 pm)citaro5284 wrote You can do it as you are approaching the stop rather than leaving the previous stop.  I am lead to believe that is how the Oxford Tube operates.

On Middlesbrough bound X66s I think the stop is announced twice, once it is leaving Stockton and again as it arrives in Middlesbrough (along with "we are now approaching the end of the route, please remain seated until the bus has come to a complete stop, thank you for travelling..."

Think if next stop announcements are introduced to more express services in the future, I feel it would be better to have the announcements closer to the stops rather than having long before they reach the stops.

(09 Oct 2015, 3:41 pm)Jimmi wrote The Arriva X66 has next stop announcements where there is a gap of 15 minutes between Great Burdon and Stockton so I couldn't see why the 85/685 couldn't have them. One thing I will say is that if express routes are going to have next stop announcements I think they should either have a voice announcement twice or when it is nearer to the bus stop.

The X66 announcements also need changing but they won't be done just yet (and will need 2 variations of each screen - for journeys via A66 and journeys via Hartburn).

(09 Oct 2015, 4:18 pm)cbma06 wrote I was on service 22 streetlite yesterday morning leaving peterlee bus station to Sunderland, and before it reached littlethorpe bus stop, the NSA/screen says Littlethorpe Hospital, this will confuse psassengers as the hospital got knocked down many moons ago, the NSA should of just said Littlethorpe as there is only one bus stop eachway.

The NSAs use the name of the stop - so if it's named 'Littlethorpe Hospital' and has been for years, that is what gets used.

(09 Oct 2015, 8:32 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The X66 announcements also need changing but they won't be done just yet (and will need 2 variations of each screen - for journeys via A66 and journeys via Hartburn).

Good luck to Arriva on that one.

A separate destination screen has to be set up to allow a variation on the Next Stop Announcements, and you'll find that a lot of drivers won't use the correct destination even if the driver message is clear...

(09 Oct 2015, 8:32 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The X66 announcements also need changing but they won't be done just yet (and will need 2 variations of each screen - for journeys via A66 and journeys via Hartburn).

Hopefully when the X66/X67 announcements are done they will change the Stockton High Street stops to the letter format rather than the old number stand format.

(09 Oct 2015, 8:35 pm)Dan wrote Good luck to Arriva on that one.

A separate destination screen has to be set up to allow a variation on the Next Stop Announcements, and you'll find that a lot of drivers won't use the correct destination even if the driver message is clear...

Unsure on how destinations work, and how the X66 runs, but could each destination be assigned different journey numbers, with the NSA's being assigned accordingly?

(09 Oct 2015, 8:35 pm)Dan wrote Good luck to Arriva on that one.

A separate destination screen has to be set up to allow a variation on the Next Stop Announcements, and you'll find that a lot of drivers won't use the correct destination even if the driver message is clear...

Works well with Stockton's 5 (which says '5 EtonviaSkin' or '5 Eton(NoVill) and Redcar's X4 (even if that one is for a single early journey which operates via Skelton instead of Saltburn).
To be Frank, the X66 one needs a major overhaul - it seems at present the Darlington bound ones are both set up to go to Faverdale.

(09 Oct 2015, 8:40 pm)Jimmi wrote Hopefully when the X66/X67 announcements are done they will change the Stockton High Street stops to the letter format rather than the old number stand format.

And hopefully say 'Stockton High Street Stand x' and 'Middlesbrough Bus Station' rather than just 'High Street Stand x' and 'Bus Station Stand 11'

(09 Oct 2015, 8:55 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Works well with Stockton's 5 (which says '5 EtonviaSkin' or '5 Eton(NoVill) and Redcar's X4 (even if that one is for a single early journey which operates via Skelton instead of Saltburn).
To be Frank, the X66 one needs a major overhaul - it seems at present the Darlington bound ones are both set up to go to Faverdale.

I've never understood why Arriva insist on using one line on the driver message only? It's baffling, and means that things are unnecessarily abbreviated, which is why (in my opinion) the wrong displays end up being used.

There are separate displays set up for evening and Sunday Go North East X10 journeys and these state:
"X10 Middlesbro.
Eve and Sunday"

The first one in the list is the bog standard "X10 Middlesbro.", and I regularly see this one being wrongly used on a Sunday, despite the evening and Sunday variant having a crystal clear driver message.

Unless there's a note on the driver's running/duty board, I wouldn't be sure that the right destination is used all of the time by every single driver.

(09 Oct 2015, 8:56 pm)Kuyoyo wrote And hopefully say 'Stockton High Street Stand x' and 'Middlesbrough Bus Station' rather than just 'High Street Stand x' and 'Bus Station Stand 11'

That irritates me, "the next stop is, Bus Station" which bus station? what high street?

(09 Oct 2015, 9:00 pm)Dan wrote I've never understood why Arriva insist on using one line on the driver message only? It's baffling, and means that things are unnecessarily abbreviated, which is why (in my opinion) the wrong displays end up being used.

There are separate displays set up for evening and Sunday Go North East X10 journeys and these state:
"X10 Middlesbro.
Eve and Sunday"

The first one in the list is the bog standard "X10 Middlesbro.", and I regularly see this one being wrongly used on a Sunday, despite the evening and Sunday variant having a crystal clear driver message.

Unless there's a note on the driver's running/duty board, I wouldn't be sure that the right destination is used all of the time by every single driver.

Only some Arriva screens are like that - the X93 uses both lines when required.

I have never seen the wrong destination being used by the StreetLites on the 5 or X4 (when Sapphire started, whenever a Standard Pulsar appeared on 5s they only showed the 'no village' screen as they only had that programmed in until the X21 was added last October). Of course, the village that journey serves on the 5 is listed on the running board so the driver can find it easily enough.

(09 Oct 2015, 9:13 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Only some Arriva screens are like that - the X93 uses both lines when required.

I have never seen the wrong destination being used by the StreetLites on the 5 or X4 (when Sapphire started, whenever a Standard Pulsar appeared on 5s they only showed the 'no village' screen as they only had that programmed in until the X21 was added last October). Of course, the village that journey serves on the 5 is listed on the running board so the driver can find it easily enough.

I barely see the X93s but I've seen the wrong destination being used on at least one bus on each of my trips down south.

Clearly the extra line on the driver message doesn't help those Whitby drivers at all!

When do arriva start back in Northallerton ? Some drivers on d+d are moving over but not sure which services that are going

(09 Oct 2015, 3:41 pm)Jimmi wrote The Arriva X66 has next stop announcements where there is a gap of 15 minutes between Great Burdon and Stockton so I couldn't see why the 85/685 couldn't have them. One thing I will say is that if express routes are going to have next stop announcements I think they should either have a voice announcement twice or when it is nearer to the bus stop.

The X3/X4 has next stop announcements and there's no stop between Coatham Roundabout and M'bro bus station.

(09 Oct 2015, 8:32 pm)Kuyoyo wrote The X66 announcements also need changing but they won't be done just yet (and will need 2 variations of each screen - for journeys via A66 and journeys via Hartburn).


The NSAs use the name of the stop - so if it's named 'Littlethorpe Hospital' and has been for years, that is what gets used.

Actually, anyone reading carefully might notice that it says "Hostpital" 

Crossways hotel has also been replaced by houses, but the stop has retained that name.

Changing the subject, anyone have any idea why this whie mark has been put on all the windows on 1422?

(10 Oct 2015, 9:56 am)Blobby40 wrote When do arriva start back in Northallerton ? Some drivers on d+d are moving over but not sure which services that are going

Eh? What? Where did you hear this?

(10 Oct 2015, 10:20 am)BusLoverMum wrote Actually, anyone reading carefully might notice that it says "Hostpital" 

Crossways hotel has also been replaced by houses, but the stop has retained that name.

Changing the subject, anyone have any idea why this whie mark has been put on all the windows on 1422?

Very odd, some Jesmond Pulsar's have them

(10 Oct 2015, 10:23 am)BusLoverMum wrote Eh? What? Where did you hear this?

It's a rumour but nothing more at the minute I think. Apparently D&D service work is going down the pan so all services will be up for tender again. I say again though, it is just a rumour at this stage.

BusLoverMum
Eh? What? Where did you hear this?

Off one of the drivers that is moving over to arriva,

The destinations are all done at Head Office, in my opinion they should be done at local level with scope for alterations and variations. I think the major bug bear for me is the town services in Darlington all have Darlington in the larger font rather than Town Centre. I believe the fonts are outdated, the numbers should be in Arial, like GNE, the Sapphire services should be different to differentiate them from normal services. But that's just my personal opinion.

(10 Oct 2015, 10:20 am)BusLoverMum wrote Changing the subject, anyone have any idea why this whie mark has been put on all the windows on 1422?

Normally they are put on just before it goes for its MOT, just to prove the correct glass is used