(05 Jan 2016, 8:07 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yup it has, a number of them have been done. I'm sure our resident expert will be along soon...

As far as I'm aware. 

1417 and 1418 have been done
Also the solos have been done 2803 and 4

(05 Jan 2016, 8:37 pm)Multi21 wrote As far as I'm aware. 

1417 and 1418 have been done
Also the solos have been done 2803 and 4

Checking my notes I can confirm that 1421, 1422, 2807 and 2808 also have the darker skirt.

(05 Jan 2016, 10:00 pm)tyresmoke wrote Checking my notes I can confirm that 1421, 1422, 2807 and 2808 also have the darker skirt.

Ill hold my hands up now and admit mine was a guess.  Guess I'm not an expert after all, haha

What has been the point of introducing the Sapphire and Max brands, apart from the gimmickry and publicity derived from ? Depots are now routinely ignored the supposed allocations. Take for example the posting where 4644/5 (Max?) are on service 7 to Durham and a Sapphire Pulsar running X75/6. Just one example of many.

(06 Jan 2016, 10:41 am)scania driver wrote What has been the point of introducing the Sapphire and Max brands, apart from the gimmickry and publicity derived from ? Depots are now routinely ignored the supposed allocations. Take for example the posting where 4644/5 (Max?) are on service 7 to Durham and a Sapphire Pulsar running X75/6. Just one example of many.

For the most time, services run with the correct bus. I would like to suggest that the two MAX buses on the 7 yesterday were not how it started off.

Operational issues can mean that a wrong type is used to fill a gap, rather than drop a trip completely. In an ideal world, supervisors would then get the bus off as soon as possible, but other things can come up which prevent that intervention (driver failures, other breakdowns or situations occuring).

To be fair, allocation generally within Arriva has improved significantly over the past few years and instances such as yesterday are quite rightly given the publicity as it is indeed an unsual occurance.

I dont think you need to press the panic button based on one day.

Latest Arriva North East fleet movements:

Ashington 7412 in, 1764 to Jesmond

Blyth - 7614 and 7625 in, 1305 for disposal, 4501 convert to DT, 1758 and 1799 to Tiger

Jesmond - 1764 in.

Durham - 7443 for disposal.

Redcar - 4725 in, 4507 for disposal

Stockton - 1906 and 1912 for DDA transfer.

(06 Jan 2016, 10:41 am)scania driver wrote What has been the point of introducing the Sapphire and Max brands, apart from the gimmickry and publicity derived from ? Depots are now routinely ignored the supposed allocations. Take for example the posting where 4644/5 (Max?) are on service 7 to Durham and a Sapphire Pulsar running X75/6. Just one example of many.

I was a little harsh there. It must be one hellof a job working as a supervisor or "behind the scenes" with allocations and driver rotas.

(06 Jan 2016, 1:31 pm)scania driver wrote I was a little harsh there. It must be one hellof a job working as a supervisor or "behind the scenes" with allocations and driver rotas.

The depot which struggles the most for Sapphire allocations has to be Durham depot since we have the most routes (6/7/22/24).  However, it's not unusual for the 'Sapphire spare' to be allocated to a standard service on a morning.  Over the next 4-6 months, I should imagine there will be a lot of unusual workings coming out of Durham depot with major roadworks starting very soon in the City Centre.

(04 Jan 2016, 7:37 pm)tyresmoke wrote It's where we park all of our disused buses haha! Ours is rather full now...
I think it's down to the price of scrap falling through the floor that it's just not worth selling them at the moment.

I agree with you on the problems with the Scanias, they're a very high maintenance bus and clearly if you don't look after them from new then years down the line you will end up with problem after problem. Clearly Darlington are finding this out now, and they've spent a small fortune on them I believe. Being at Durham, Redcar and Darlington since new doesn't help and like you say being thrashed on 63s and then given an even harder life on the X93 carrying loads that they clearly weren't designed to handle nor should have had to. Thank god someone with some sense saw to that issue a few years back.

There seems to be a number of time keeping issues with the X26/X27 and I never understood why it was reduced to every 20 mins a few years ago when every 15 mins suited it fine, giving a clock face timetable at all parts of the two routes rather than the awkward 20/40 min split we have at present. Hopefully this can be sorted out soon otherwise we risk competition from various parties.

High time that they allocated buses to a depot and kept them there till they are time expired, then they might get taken care of.

---

(05 Jan 2016, 1:52 pm)Andreos1 wrote It doesn't matter what route it is - whether it is the X12, the 64 or the 22.
Operators are falling over themselves to push funky seats, plugs and wifi and on some services - NSA.

We are all told why the NSA is used - so let's see it taken to the next level. One that can benefit every passenger on the bus and (in the case of some operators), not just another advertising medium.

Anything's better than GNE's video of people sat on the bus. HATE that. Invasion of privacy.

---

(05 Jan 2016, 2:06 pm)Adrian wrote What about good old fashioned communication? Someone at main interchanges to explain the closures. I travelled on the 27 between Heworth and Gateshead yesterday, and we ended up with a queue of folk waiting to get off at Jackson Street. Until the driver pointed out about the closure.

Why can't Nexus or the operators have staff present to actually tell passengers about it? Nothing works better than face to face communication.

Because Arriva won't spend money. Another enquiry office bit the dust last week.

---

(05 Jan 2016, 2:10 pm)scania driver wrote Far to much dependency on social media these days. We don't all have or want smartphones or being dependent on the reliability (or not) of these apps. What is matter with the common sense approach of informing the punters of stuff like the X12 Gateshead carry on with notices on the buses ? I mean the things are festooned with c**p about things folk ain't bothered about !

Totally agree.

---

(05 Jan 2016, 5:10 pm)Dan wrote Worth mentioning that Go North East have a bus station supervisor present at Gateshead Interchange every day (similar to Newcastle Eldon Square, Washington Galleries and Park Lane), and there's often other members of the Service Performance Team present at Gateshead Interchange during busy periods, special events or other times when the main supervisor may not be available.

Indeed, I passed through Gateshead Interchange at 15:30 today, and the supervisor was in a high-vis jacket, assisting customers at the top of the Metro escalators. I'm not sure if it was about the closure/diversion or not, but there's always usually a Go North East representative present (somewhere) at Gateshead Interchange.

Probably just telling them not to take photos?

---

(05 Jan 2016, 8:05 pm)BusLoverMum wrote The destination isn't right convincing

That's what I was thinking. Fake?

---

(06 Jan 2016, 11:51 am)Adrian wrote Latest Arriva North East fleet movements:

Ashington 7412 in, 1764 to Jesmond

Blyth - 7614 and 7625 in, 1305 for disposal, 4501 convert to DT, 1758 and 1799 to Tiger

Jesmond - 1764 in.

Durham - 7443 for disposal.

Redcar - 4725 in, 4507 for disposal

Stockton - 1906 and 1912 for DDA transfer.

Hope 4501 will live on and go for preservation eventually!

---

(06 Jan 2016, 2:10 pm)palatine3833 wrote The depot which struggles the most for Sapphire allocations has to be Durham depot since we have the most routes (6/7/22/24).  However, it's not unusual for the 'Sapphire spare' to be allocated to a standard service on a morning.  Over the next 4-6 months, I should imagine there will be a lot of unusual workings coming out of Durham depot with major roadworks starting very soon in the City Centre.

AGAIN?!

---

I'm still after their phone numbers!  

---

---

Well said.

---

No....

(06 Jan 2016, 2:32 pm)Cock Robin wrote Probably just telling them not to take photos?

Go North East couldn't give a toss about enthusiasts taking photos.

The bus station supervisors form part of the service performance team - assisting drivers and customers.

(06 Jan 2016, 3:28 pm)Dan wrote Go North East couldn't give a toss about enthusiasts taking photos.

The bus station supervisors form part of the service performance team - assisting drivers and customers.

Thought he was on about Nexus staff!

(06 Jan 2016, 11:51 am)Adrian wrote Latest Arriva North East fleet movements:

Ashington 7412 in, 1764 to Jesmond

Blyth - 7614 and 7625 in, 1305 for disposal, 4501 convert to DT, 1758 and 1799 to Tiger

Jesmond - 1764 in.

Durham - 7443 for disposal.

Redcar - 4725 in, 4507 for disposal

Stockton - 1906 and 1912 for DDA transfer.

Does that mean 1906/12 getting modified?!

(06 Jan 2016, 11:51 am)Adrian wrote Latest Arriva North East fleet movements:

Ashington 7412 in, 1764 to Jesmond

Add 7413/4/5 to Ashington, as they are on the depot's list. 7415 will enter service very soon, it has gained fleet numbers on the front windscreen.
7412/3/5 are here, 7414 is either still at Thorntons or is on the pits.

Further additions to our fleet are 11x Volvo B7TL with Alexander ALX400 body.

VLA144-VLA155 from London are due in soon, to be numbered 7416-7427 in our fleet.

VLA144 LJ55BTO 7416
VLA145 LJ55BTU 7417
VLA146 LJ55BTV 7418
VLA147 LJ55BTX 7419
VLA148 LJ55BTY 7420
VLA149 LJ55BTZ 7421
VLA150 LJ55BUA 7422
VLA151 LJ55BUE 7423
VLA152 LJ55BPZ 7424
VLA153 LJ55BRV 7425
VLA154 LJ55BRX 7426
VLA155 LJ55BRZ 7427

(06 Jan 2016, 2:26 pm)Cock Robin wrote Anything's better than GNE's video of people sat on the bus. HATE that. Invasion of privacy.

What's wrong with this? The screens just show people what they can already see with their own eyes, so how is it an invasion of privacy? They're on a public bus and consequently in a public place, in the first place.

(06 Jan 2016, 5:55 pm)tyresmoke wrote Further additions to our fleet are 11x Volvo B7TL with Alexander ALX400 body.

VLA144-VLA155 from London are due in soon, to be numbered 7416-7427 in our fleet.

VLA144 LJ55BTO 7416
VLA145 LJ55BTU 7417
VLA146 LJ55BTV 7418
VLA147 LJ55BTX 7419
VLA148 LJ55BTY 7420
VLA149 LJ55BTZ 7421
VLA150 LJ55BUA 7422
VLA151 LJ55BUE 7423
VLA152 LJ55BPZ 7424
VLA153 LJ55BRV 7425
VLA154 LJ55BRX 7426
VLA155 LJ55BRZ 7427

Sweet. What are these likely to replace? Please be the Y reg Lowlander's.

(06 Jan 2016, 6:30 pm)Jimmi wrote Sweet. What are these likely to replace? Please be the Y reg Lowlander's.

Yes they're first on the hit list. I imagine the rest will be binning the worst of the DLA's. Not enough to get rid of all of them though I don't think.

(06 Jan 2016, 6:36 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yes they're first on the hit list. I imagine the rest will be binning the worst of the DLA's. Not enough to get rid of all of them though I don't think.

Are these the vehicles previously allocated to service 159? I know that route has recently been upgraded to Borismasters.

(06 Jan 2016, 6:39 pm)S813 FVK wrote Are these the vehicles previously allocated to service 159? I know that route has recently been upgraded to Borismasters.

They are indeed. It was lost to Abellio in November.

(06 Jan 2016, 6:36 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yes they're first on the hit list. I imagine the rest will be binning the worst of the DLA's. Not enough to get rid of all of them though I don't think.

Will be nice to see a few more ALX400s back in Durham.

Do not know if it has been reported but 7486/7  were working on X10/11 off Blyth today

(06 Jan 2016, 7:50 pm)Coppercap40 wrote Do not know if it has been reported but 7486/7  were working on X10/11 off Blyth today

They had disappeared out of yard at Stockton so I wondered whether they'd made their way to Blyth! Thanks for confirming.

1906, 1909 and 1912 have also disappeared, I understand they're going to be converted to DDA and then transferred elsewhere. Wouldn't mind betting that they'll end up at Yorkshire Tiger.

(06 Jan 2016, 5:55 pm)tyresmoke wrote Further additions to our fleet are 11x Volvo B7TL with Alexander ALX400 body.

VLA144-VLA155 from London are due in soon, to be numbered 7416-7427 in our fleet.

VLA144 LJ55BTO 7416
VLA145 LJ55BTU 7417
VLA146 LJ55BTV 7418
VLA147 LJ55BTX 7419
VLA148 LJ55BTY 7420
VLA149 LJ55BTZ 7421
VLA150 LJ55BUA 7422
VLA151 LJ55BUE 7423
VLA152 LJ55BPZ 7424
VLA153 LJ55BRV 7425
VLA154 LJ55BRX 7426
VLA155 LJ55BRZ 7427

Hahaha, When I was told B7s I didn't expect the ALX400s! 

Will these be fitted with Wi-Fi and leather seating?

(06 Jan 2016, 5:55 pm)tyresmoke wrote Further additions to our fleet are 11x Volvo B7TL with Alexander ALX400 body.

VLA144-VLA155 from London are due in soon, to be numbered 7416-7427 in our fleet.

VLA144 LJ55BTO 7416
VLA145 LJ55BTU 7417
VLA146 LJ55BTV 7418
VLA147 LJ55BTX 7419
VLA148 LJ55BTY 7420
VLA149 LJ55BTZ 7421
VLA150 LJ55BUA 7422
VLA151 LJ55BUE 7423
VLA152 LJ55BPZ 7424
VLA153 LJ55BRV 7425
VLA154 LJ55BRX 7426
VLA155 LJ55BRZ 7427

And yet they've just refurbished ones that are 3 years older to MAX spec...

As far as I know at least some of these will end up in MAX also.
I am intrigued to see how that is done as they have the dreaded Urban90 seats at present!

(06 Jan 2016, 9:39 pm)tyresmoke wrote As far as I know at least some of these will end up in MAX also.
I am intrigued to see how that is done as they have the dreaded Urban90 seats at present!

The perfect replacements for 7436-44 then! Just coat them in leather and they'll be just fine

(06 Jan 2016, 9:39 pm)tyresmoke wrote As far as I know at least some of these will end up in MAX also.
I am intrigued to see how that is done as they have the dreaded Urban90 seats at present!

Oh my god.

---

(06 Jan 2016, 10:16 pm)mb134 wrote The perfect replacements for 7436-44 then! Just coat them in leather and they'll be just fine

Where's that urban90 enthusiast when you need him 

(06 Jan 2016, 10:31 pm)GX03 SVC wrote

---

Where's that urban90 enthusiast when you need him 

Possibly looking at these pictures?

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/lgeeograph...D_w_IS_all 

(Can't embed currently as I'm on my phone)

(06 Jan 2016, 11:00 pm)mb134 wrote Possibly looking at these pictures?

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/lgeeograph...D_w_IS_all 

(Can't embed currently as I'm on my phone)

They look better than our Urban90's seated Lowlander's do!

Trying to imagine if e-leather trimmed Urban90's seats would be better or worse!

I think the seats will be replaced by the Civic V2 and V3s.