Arriva North East: Latest News & Discussion - May 2019

On the off chance that Arriva does get acquired, hopefully there'll be more investment (or should I say actually some investment) in the Durham services. Arriva's fleet is quite frankly an embarrassment compared to GNE's especially at Durham Bus Station.
Sure, they've refurbished the buses with fancy leather, but they're still getting on and you can tell

Didnt realise Redcar already using three buses on X93s. Didnt start til mid summer last year?

ANE and Stagecoach sharing the next set of 900/1

(02 May 2019, 5:55 pm)JM03 wrote ANE and Stagecoach sharing the next set of 900/1

as are GNE and ive also heard JH coaches and Stanley Travel

(02 May 2019, 1:26 pm)streetdeckfan wrote On the off chance that Arriva does get acquired, hopefully there'll be more investment (or should I say actually some investment) in the Durham services. Arriva's fleet is quite frankly an embarrassment compared to GNE's especially at Durham Bus Station.
Sure, they've refurbished the buses with fancy leather, but they're still getting on and you can tell

If the new owners don't want to suck millions of pounds from each division, I'm sure that there will be investment. Fleet presentation is a priority believe it or not, it's just that there's a very small budget for it thanks to DB...

(03 May 2019, 9:53 am)omnicity4659 wrote If the new owners don't want to suck millions of pounds from each division, I'm sure that there will be investment. Fleet presentation is a priority believe it or not, it's just that there's a very small budget for it thanks to DB...

The worst part is that DB is fully owned by the German government, so it's probably purely political that they've been taking Arriva for pretty much everything it's worth!
That also means they have basically infinite money, so it's not as if there is a real reason for the small budget (other than the division not making enough money).

2837  at heworth presumably for route learning

(03 May 2019, 9:53 am)omnicity4659 wrote If the new owners don't want to suck millions of pounds from each division, I'm sure that there will be investment. Fleet presentation is a priority believe it or not, it's just that there's a very small budget for it thanks to DB...

Today is the last day for bids for Arriva from interested parties. In the registration documents,  DB have said Arriva may be sold as a whole or split. Stagecoach are still tipped as leaders for acquiring the bus division either in whole or in part.

(03 May 2019, 12:43 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The worst part is that DB is fully owned by the German government, so it's probably purely political that they've been taking Arriva for pretty much everything it's worth!
That also means they have basically infinite money, so it's not as if there is a real reason for the small budget (other than the division not making enough money).

They no more have infinite money than your nearest school does.

3 Pulsars parked outside Hartlepool Train Station. Any ideas?

(04 May 2019, 10:19 am)TyneWearTeesGNE wrote 3 Pulsars parked outside Hartlepool Train Station. Any ideas?

Rail replacements between Middlesbrough and Hartlepool.

(03 May 2019, 4:13 pm)9920up wrote Today is the last day for bids for Arriva from interested parties. In the registration documents,  DB have said Arriva may be sold as a whole or split. Stagecoach are still tipped as leaders for acquiring the bus division either in whole or in part.

If Arriva were to sell Blyth to Stagecoach with Ashington & Jesmond going to GNE, would GNE & Stagecoach be able to come to a mutual decision on what parts of the fleet they take? 

I'd imagine Stagecoach would want to take Arriva's ADL fleet whereas GNE would rather take the Wrightbus fleet.

(04 May 2019, 10:32 am)L469 YVK wrote If Arriva were to sell Blyth to Stagecoach with Ashington & Jesmond going to GNE, would GNE & Stagecoach be able to come to a mutual decision on what parts of the fleet they take? 

I'd imagine Stagecoach would want to take Arriva's ADL fleet whereas GNE would rather take the Wrightbus fleet.

I would imagine, they'll get what buses are at the depots they'll take over?

(04 May 2019, 10:53 am)Michael wrote I would imagine, they'll get what buses are at the depots they'll take over?

I suppose. But I'd imagine the 14/64 reg Classic E400s would be ideal for the X24 & X34 after a refurb for Stagecoach. And I'd also imagine the ex Yorkshire Gemimis coming in handy for GNE to allow most 6/X30/X31 boards to run with deckers (don't know if Hownsgill / Riverside mix the boards up at certain times of day).

(04 May 2019, 10:32 am)L469 YVK wrote If Arriva were to sell Blyth to Stagecoach with Ashington & Jesmond going to GNE, would GNE & Stagecoach be able to come to a mutual decision on what parts of the fleet they take? 

I'd imagine Stagecoach would want to take Arriva's ADL fleet whereas GNE would rather take the Wrightbus fleet.

Imagine if they got other areas and had to come up with some 'zones'.

'aye mate. Can I have a pink and yellow polka dot and tiger stripe two zone ticket for the week please?. Yeah, paying on my card'

(04 May 2019, 11:28 am)L469 YVK wrote I suppose. But I'd imagine the 14/64 reg Classic E400s would be ideal for the X24 & X34 after a refurb for Stagecoach. And I'd also imagine the ex Yorkshire Gemimis coming in handy for GNE to allow most 6/X30/X31 boards to run with deckers (don't know if Hownsgill / Riverside mix the boards up at certain times of day).

X30 got a low bridge on its route

(04 May 2019, 11:49 am)Andreos1 wrote Imagine if they got other areas and had to come up with some 'zones'.

'aye mate. Can I have a pink and yellow polka dot and tiger stripe two zone ticket for the week please?. Yeah, paying on my card'

It's fine, they'll design the zones so you're always one stop into a third zone like it has always been for me!

(04 May 2019, 12:40 pm)streetdeckfan wrote It's fine, they'll design the zones so you're always one stop into a third zone like it has always been for me!

Yup, still think they should remodel the zones, hopefully that happens if they take over any Arriva routes....

Let’s move back into reality now.....

Stockton currently have Jesmond’s 1479, 1480 and 1495 (and a fourth as well but not sure what) on loan for rails - the aforementioned trio are all out and about. Also on loan are 1509/10 from Belmont - they are currently spare in the depot due to them having Ticketer machines (Stockton, Redcar, Whitby and - reportedly - Jesmond move over tonight).

(04 May 2019, 12:47 pm)Michael wrote Yup, still think they should remodel the zones, hopefully that happens if they take over any Arriva routes....

To be fair though, even if I only travelled within two zones, I'd still get the 3+ zone ticket. I'd rather have the ability to go anywhere and not be trapped in the confines of two completely illogical zones

(04 May 2019, 12:25 pm)Ds1197 wrote X30 got a low bridge on its route

The low height Gemini's would get under the bridge in Dunston no problem. That would be the whole point of GNE taking them.

On the other hand, could see the Red Kite B9s ending up at Ashington for the X20 (or whatever number GNE use instead). They'd be ideal with their low mileage.

(04 May 2019, 1:16 pm)L469 YVK wrote The low height Gemini's would get under the bridge in Dunston no problem. That would be the whole point of GNE taking them.

On the other hand, could see the Red Kite B9s ending up at Ashington for the X20 (or whatever number GNE use instead). They'd be ideal with their low mileage.

I hear 6304 can get under low bridges as well!

Why to they need to borrow off Jesmond when Redcar and Stockton have spare buses on a Saturday.

(04 May 2019, 4:59 pm)Cock Robin wrote Why to they need to borrow off Jesmond when Redcar and Stockton have spare buses on a Saturday.

Redcar have been using their own buses. As for Stockton - the PVR only drops by one, hardly enough to cover the requirements.

Also buses from Durham - 1510 is now out on rails.

Hi who as bid for arriva yet is it stagecoach or someone else.

(04 May 2019, 10:45 pm)glen1234 wrote Hi who  as bid for arriva yet is it stagecoach or someone else.

Who would bid for an operation that is losing money?

(05 May 2019, 12:27 pm)Driver9*** wrote Who would bid for an operation that is losing money?

Hopefully someone who thinks they can bring it back to making a profit.

Which Belmont/Darlington services use Double Deckers on Bank Holiday?

Lots of confusion on the Arriva operated metro replacements today. 

Service 901 operating and displaying 900
Incorrect bus stop being used as the turnaround point at Brockley Whins. 
Completely omitting Fellgate Metro Station
Completely omitting Central Station

A vast amount of disgruntled passengers this morning on what should have organised replacements.