(24 Feb 2018, 10:30 pm)Malarkey wrote Wonder if new buses could be in the pipeline for the 306/308 as for me me having DB300 Gemini and VDL Pulsars seem like a downgrade from Streetlites and Volvo B5LH's.

Pulsars a downgrade on Streetlites?!

(24 Feb 2018, 11:56 pm)mb134 wrote Pulsars a downgrade on Streetlites?!

In terms of age of the vehicle allocated yes it is a downgrade.

In terms of vehicle specification, and passenger comfort, it's an upgrade.

(25 Feb 2018, 12:14 am)Malarkey wrote In terms of age of the vehicle allocated yes it is a downgrade.

Not to mention running costs

(25 Feb 2018, 12:14 am)Malarkey wrote In terms of age of the vehicle allocated yes it is a downgrade.

However, those newer vehicles have an inferior specification internally. They're also only 3 years older which, on a route like the 306, isn't going to make a difference at all in terms of reliability or performance, especially when they were better vehicles to start off with. 

(25 Feb 2018, 11:15 am)omnicity4659 wrote In terms of vehicle specification, and passenger comfort, it's an upgrade.

Exactly.

(24 Feb 2018, 8:34 am)omnicity4659 wrote 1525 YJ61 OAY **7628** / 1526 YJ61 OAZ **7629** / 1527 YJ61 OBA **7630** / 1530 YJ61 OBB **7631** / 1531 YJ61 OBE **7632** / 1532 YJ61 OBF **7633** / 1533 YJ61 OBG **7634** / 1534 YJ61 OBH **7635** / 1535 YJ61 OBK **7636** / 1543 YJ61 OBT **7637**

If what I'm told is true the DB300s cascading to Blyth are the above. Obviously, this is subject to change as always.

All bar 1535/1543 are Interurban liveried, with those two being MAX specification. If the rest get refurbished, they won't be able to be painted in MAX to match 1535/43 and the Pulsars on 306, due to the new Arriva Brand Guidelines. The North East marketing team have really shot themselves in the foot again by refurbishing the B5LHs...!

YJ61OBA has now entered service at Blyth - still currently bearing fleet number 1527:

Arriva North East 1527 former Arriva Yorkshire by Ryan Lawrence, on Flickr

Are arriva planning to bat a minibus on the 43 17:22 to Cramlington

(27 Feb 2018, 5:26 pm)Dan wrote YJ61OBA has now entered service at Blyth - still currently bearing fleet number 1527:

Arriva North East 1527 former Arriva Yorkshire by Ryan Lawrence, on Flickr

Dan I don’t know if you got the Arriva fleet messages I sent in. I don’t know if I did it right but I send in information about the Optare Tempos Streetlites and if it went through Arriva max 306s. I don’t know if you got the information as I saw you post in a forum a while ago to sent in information.
Just thought I would ask as it was the first time I did it and I was trying to help also above fleet repaints also I’ve only been here for just over a month.

(27 Feb 2018, 6:48 pm)gy6 wrote Are arriva planning to bat a minibus on the 43 17:22 to Cramlington

I don't imagine it would have been "planned", a small bus is better than the likely alternative of no bus. On a service with the peak frequency of the 43, it shouldn't cause a huge issue.

SERVICE UPDATE ASHINGTON - SERVICES WITHDRAWN

Due to weather and forecast the following services will gradually start to be withdrawn between 6 - 8pm tonight.

X14
X15
X18
X20
X21
X22
35
57
57a

(24 Feb 2018, 11:56 pm)mb134 wrote Pulsars a downgrade on Streetlites?!

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(25 Feb 2018, 11:15 am)omnicity4659 wrote In terms of vehicle specification, and passenger comfort, it's an upgrade.

Agreed.

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(28 Feb 2018, 1:52 pm)Michael wrote SERVICE UPDATE ASHINGTON - SERVICES WITHDRAWN

Due to weather and forecast the following services will gradually start to be withdrawn between 6 - 8pm tonight.

X14
X15
X18
X20
X21
X22
35
57
57a

Ridiculous.

(28 Feb 2018, 2:19 pm)Cock Robin wrote

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Agreed.

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Ridiculous.

How is it ridiculous? Ashington obviously care about the employees, so for there safety and passenger safety it’s probably safer to remove buses off the road, what happens if it was your family member or something that was driving and something went horribly wrong and didn’t end up coming home?

(28 Feb 2018, 3:47 pm)Stuartphin1639 wrote How is it ridiculous? Ashington obviously care about the employees, so for there safety and passenger safety it’s probably safer to remove buses off the road, what happens if it was your family member or something that was driving and something went horribly wrong and didn’t end up coming home?

Quite.

Service update Durham

Due to rapidly detriating road conditions accoss the area and in the interests of safety all of Durhams services will be withdrawn from 19:00 onwards.

We apologise for for any inconvenience caused to our customers.

Blyth also now pulling off - last departure from Newcastle to be the 1910 308.

(28 Feb 2018, 2:19 pm)Cock Robin wrote Ridiculous.

Come and drive the remainder of the services then... I was a passenger, and even I was crapping myself at times going through what could only be described as an apocalypse. 

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This happened. Lives were put at risk. That's why services are being pulled.

Darlington also now pulling the buses in

EDIT: Jesmond also pulling in. Leaving just Stockton and Redcar running (for now)

(28 Feb 2018, 7:45 pm)omnicity4659 wrote Come and drive the remainder of the services then... I was a passenger, and even I was crapping myself at times going through what could only be described as an apocalypse. 

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This happened. Lives were put at risk. That's why services are being pulled.

Hope everyone was alright. All respect to the Drivers who have drive the buses in the weather. Out of interest where did you find the picture or did you take it. Looks like it’s on the A192 near Neddleton and Plessey Wood.

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(28 Feb 2018, 2:19 pm)Cock Robin wrote

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Agreed.

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Ridiculous.

Learn some respect. These drivers in places like Northumberland and County Durham risk a hell of a lot to drive buses which the most of the time can be difficult to drive never mind in these conditions. Some services like the X-15&18 might have been on roads that have not been gritted as these services go through some remote areas far away from the towns. Have some respect next time