(08 Jan 2014, 4:56 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Don't like these Saturday reductions. Busiest shopping day of the week. Can understand the traditional later starts.

Where in the High Street will the 63 turn round to save time on going to the High Street?! I understand they are going back to their previous route via the sea front in both directions.

The short 81s diverted via Green Lane also to replace the 4 (but only half the frequency).

Wrong 81, 81a is serving Green Lane, the short 81 will run current route. As for the High Street terminating peak 63s, as the timetables are due to be released later this week, they will reveal all.

As for 4048, I can only say I didn't see the full accident, just the driver moving it clear. The full details are known to me now but given the nature, they will not be reported here.

(07 Jan 2014, 10:01 pm)Tom wrote Why did Arriva ever withdraw the X60/X61, always seemed busy too me...?

They didn't make any money - simple as. The loadings we're very weather dependant & a couple of dodgy summers didn't help the case with the final nail being that you could make loads of money from the bus during the Olympics

Been using the 56/57/57A again for a change lately, and I find the loadings are ridiculous at peak times. To the point that passengers are having to alight at every stop to allow others further back to alight the bus. Solos are mainly allocated to these routes (I believe they interwork). I wouldn't say it's exactly a decker route, but certainly enough to completely fill all seats on an Omnicity or Pulsar. Anyone noticed anything similar or aware of any upcoming changes?

(08 Jan 2014, 6:50 pm)aureolin wrote Been using the 56/57/57A again for a change lately, and I find the loadings are ridiculous at peak times. To the point that passengers are having to alight at every stop to allow others further back to alight the bus. Solos are mainly allocated to these routes (I believe they interwork). I wouldn't say it's exactly a decker route, but certainly enough to completely fill all seats on an Omnicity or Pulsar. Anyone noticed anything similar or aware of any upcoming changes?

No changes yet, only upcoming changes are the Teesside ones.

(08 Jan 2014, 4:56 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Don't like these Saturday reductions. Busiest shopping day of the week. Can understand the traditional later starts.

Where in the High Street will the 63 turn round to save time on going to the High Street?! I understand they are going back to their previous route via the sea front in both directions.

The short 81s diverted via Green Lane also to replace the 4 (but only half the frequency).

Some of the High St terminators should work onto the X3 I'm told. The timetables should be out this week so that should give a clearer idea.

(08 Jan 2014, 6:50 pm)aureolin wrote Been using the 56/57/57A again for a change lately, and I find the loadings are ridiculous at peak times. To the point that passengers are having to alight at every stop to allow others further back to alight the bus. Solos are mainly allocated to these routes (I believe they interwork). I wouldn't say it's exactly a decker route, but certainly enough to completely fill all seats on an Omnicity or Pulsar. Anyone noticed anything similar or aware of any upcoming changes?

The main reason why solos are allocated to these routes are because of the unavailability of other pulsars - to allow the 56/57/57A to be operated by pulsars another 8 would need to be found. Certainly when these services started, the 57A in particular was running empty on almost all trips but now they all seem to be earning their money so maybe there may be future investment.

(08 Jan 2014, 4:56 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Don't like these Saturday reductions. Busiest shopping day of the week. Can understand the traditional later starts.

Do you really think that the reductions would take place if that was the case? The only thing I see busy on Saturdays is the local car parks, since Middlesbrough Council decided in their wisdom to offer free parking! I bet that has taken a huge hit on Arriva and Stagecoach.

I suspect a 7/8 minute frequency on Service 27 for example, may be sufficient for Monday to Fridays where people go shopping and work, but Saturdays the passenger numbers assumingly are lower, they have chosen to reduce to a 10 minute frequency. Not exactly end of the world.

(09 Jan 2014, 3:05 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote Do you really think that the reductions would take place if that was the case? The only thing I see busy on Saturdays is the local car parks, since Middlesbrough Council decided in their wisdom to offer free parking! I bet that has taken a huge hit on Arriva and Stagecoach.

I suspect a 7/8 minute frequency on Service 27 for example, may be sufficient for Monday to Fridays where people go shopping and work, but Saturdays the passenger numbers assumingly are lower, they have chosen to reduce to a 10 minute frequency. Not exactly end of the world.

Hit the nail on the head there! Saturday's have always generally been quieter in Middlesbrough for the last few years, and the offer of free parking doesn't help! This Christmas seemed to be very quiet in the case of the loadings seemingly being nothing more than a normal day.

(08 Jan 2014, 5:24 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Wrong 81, 81a is serving Green Lane, the short 81 will run current route. As for the High Street terminating peak 63s, as the timetables are due to be released later this week, they will reveal all.

As for 4048, I can only say I didn't see the full accident, just the driver moving it clear. The full details are known to me now but given the nature, they will not be reported here.

Would have thought it would have been better to report the true facts than incorrectly speculate on what haoppened.

(10 Jan 2014, 4:59 pm)Roland Pratt wrote Would have thought it would have been better to report the true facts than incorrectly speculate on what haoppened.

Please re-read that first sentence - all I saw was 4048 at the glass with the driver in the cab starting it up and driving it clear. I can only report what I saw, and I was only informed of what happened before that on Wednesday morning, what I reported at the time was what I saw. And that is the end of it.

Anyway, in other news, the first timetables are released for the Teesside changes
http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/content.aspx?id=34359741474

7367 was out on the X20s today- i thought all of the olympians had been withdrawn from service some time ago?

(11 Jan 2014, 4:19 pm)dans_bus_photos wrote 7367 was out on the X20s today- i thought all of the olympians had been withdrawn from service some time ago?

Believe this one was re-instated (without actually coming off the road in reality...) to replace toasted Enviro 7510.

From today:
1519 7 12:37 Durham - Darlington
4645 X66 14:20 Darlington - Middlesbrough
4662 685 17:45 Newcastle - Carlisle

(11 Jan 2014, 6:23 pm)tyresmoke wrote Believe this one was re-instated (without actually coming off the road in reality...) to replace toasted Enviro 7510.

Did the investigators find out what caused it to ignite?

(Maltese) government carried out political vendetta in ousting Arriva

From (and more at):- http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdeta...a-20140112

Arriva is determined to deliver the highest quality service possible in Malta and Gozo, one that will be recognised as a leading European transport solution and has the skills and resources to do that, with a team of skilled and committed workers and support from one of Europes premier transport groups. Arriva provides services in Malta and Gozo using some of the most modern and environmentally friendly buses anywhere in Europe, equipped with 21st century features for passenger safety and comfort.

From (and more at):- http://www.arriva.com.mt/about-arriva?l=1

Arriva looks to the full 10-year term of its contract as public transport operator on the Maltese Islands, and seeks to continue to grow both as a business and as an entity within society.

From (and more at):- http://www.arriva.com.mt/arriva-csr?l=1

It is reported that the €50 million of Arriva's debt will be borne by the government.

From (and more at):- http://www.maltatoday.com.mt/en/newsdeta...d-20140102

The Arriva consortium, with local partner the Tumas Group, was awarded a contract to operate all scheduled bus services in Malta from July 2011, making us the sole provider of scheduled bus services on the island, and its sister island Gozo.
The transport system in Malta was previously operated by independent bus owners. The Maltese government has put in place a significant market reform, moving from a 1950s system to modern day - from an emerging liberalisation stage to mature - in one step change.
The 10-year contract for the exclusive operation of scheduled services is highly specified to meet the government's requirements for a new bus network. Arriva is delivering this reform at the same time as providing significant savings to the Maltese government, compared to the previous transport system.

From (and more at):- http://www.arriva.co.uk/business_activit...ices/malta

The commencement of Arriva's services on 3 July 2011 was marred by many buses departing late or failing to turn up, primarily due to the absence of over 70 drivers who were due to transfer from the previous driver-owner system. This resulted in large crowds building up at Valletta's new bus terminus as well as other termini and stages across Malta. Other issues increased the delays, such as incorrect or non-operational route information on buses and mechanical faults. Arriva has also received criticism over the overhauled routes and timetables, which has increased journey times for some passengers.
During the first week of the new system, up to 180 drivers, most of whom had previously worked on the old network, failed to appear for duties. They cited Arriva's use of split-shifts as the reason for their non-appearance, as these had reportedly not been part of the conditions they had agreed to work under.
Arriva responded by drafting in seventy temporary drivers from its UK operation and trained further Maltese drivers to cover for the missing employees. Some services were subcontracted to other companies.

From (and more at):- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malta_bus

Has anyone seen the Versa demonstrater lately? Or has it gone elsewhere?

(13 Jan 2014, 2:19 pm)aureolin wrote Has anyone seen the Versa demonstrater lately? Or has it gone elsewhere?

It's definitely left Durham a few weeks ago.

(13 Jan 2014, 2:19 pm)aureolin wrote Has anyone seen the Versa demonstrater lately? Or has it gone elsewhere?

Was only here for a week. Rather pointless demonstration really, when drivers were on familiarisation for 2-3 days of that week.

(13 Jan 2014, 4:04 pm)Dan wrote Was only here for a week. Rather pointless demonstration really, when drivers were on familiarisation for 2-3 days of that week.

Was here a fornight - a week on familiarisation and the second week in service.

(13 Jan 2014, 4:10 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Was here a fornight - a week on familiarisation and the second week in service.

Must have only been in service for five days of that second week?

Was more or less a 2 week stint yeah. Spent most of its time on 64s but was also used on 49s at one point.

(13 Jan 2014, 4:19 pm)tyresmoke wrote Was more or less a 2 week stint yeah. Spent most of its time on 64s but was also used on 49s at one point.

Bit gutted I missed it! Has it remained with Arriva elsewhere? Or back to Optare. Seems a bit pointless only having it for such a short time, when it could have been trialled over a number of routes.

(13 Jan 2014, 6:09 pm)aureolin wrote Bit gutted I missed it! Has it remained with Arriva elsewhere? Or back to Optare. Seems a bit pointless only having it for such a short time, when it could have been trialled over a number of routes.

Was recently with Courtney Coaches in Berkshire for a 2 week period so I assume Optare are loaning it out on short demonstration periods.

(13 Jan 2014, 6:09 pm)aureolin wrote Bit gutted I missed it! Has it remained with Arriva elsewhere? Or back to Optare. Seems a bit pointless only having it for such a short time, when it could have been trialled over a number of routes.

If I am correct, the bus arrived around the date of Wednesday 4th December 2013.
I went out for it on Saturday 14th, and it wasn't out - guessing it was either off while being prepped to return or it had already left.

It's not as if Arriva can actually get a good idea for how the bus performed in just a few days either... I'm sure there were some faults with the Streetlite Max demonstrator vehicle GNE had which developed after a few months in service. How do Arriva know the Versa won't have troubles after a few months?

Now with "Courtney Buses" (again for a two week trial period) as seen here.


EDIT: Ooops, Scott beat me to it!

(13 Jan 2014, 6:17 pm)Dan wrote If I am correct, the bus arrived around the date of Wednesday 4th December 2013.
I went out for it on Saturday 14th, and it wasn't out - guessing it was either off while being prepped to return or it had already left.

It's not as if Arriva can actually get a good idea for how the bus performed in just a few days either... I'm sure there were some faults with the Streetlite Max demonstrator vehicle GNE had which developed after a few months in service. How do Arriva know the Versa won't have troubles after a few months?

Now with "Courtney Buses" (again for a two week trial period) as seen here.


EDIT: Ooops, Scott beat me to it!

Arriva will have a good idea from operating Optare Versa's in other parts of the country though. Let's not forget its not the first Versa that ANE have had on demonstration in recent times either... YJ57EHU was the last one, now with TM Travel (though recently toasted!).

(13 Jan 2014, 6:23 pm)tyresmoke wrote Arriva will have a good idea from operating Optare Versa's in other parts of the country though. Let's not forget its not the first Versa that ANE have had on demonstration in recent times either... YJ57EHU was the last one, now with TM Travel (though recently toasted!).

Got nothing on having it on frontline service in Durham though.

The Versa and Streetlite Max GNE had on demonstration are going around all GA operators for slightly longer durations than normal demonstrations.

Plymouth Citybus can hardly make a decision based on GNE's trial - their services are nothing like GNE's 44, 58 etc.

(13 Jan 2014, 6:25 pm)Dan wrote Got nothing on having it on frontline service in Durham though.

The Versa and Streetlite Max GNE had on demonstration are going around all GA operators for slightly longer durations than normal demonstrations.

Plymouth Citybus can hardly make a decision based on GNE's trial - their services are nothing like GNE's 44, 58 etc.

It's not very often you get buses on long term demonstration though in the true meaning of demonstrators... The Brighton B5 didn't spend long on the Angel, nor did the E400 on the X1

(13 Jan 2014, 6:27 pm)tyresmoke wrote It's not very often you get buses on long term demonstration though in the true meaning of demonstrators... The Brighton B5 didn't spend long on the Angel, nor did the E400 on the X1

The Brighton B5 wasn't actually for demonstration purposes, was it? Merely driver familiarisation? Could be wrong as it's before my time as a photographer.

As for the E400 on the X1, well that wasn't a demonstrator apparently (which we discussed a few weeks ago). A loan to cover for Geminis being fixed up at Volvo.

Am i right in saying Darlington's fleet are all single floor buses.I remember a recent news item of a E400 getting wedged under the cornmill shopping centre!Are their any suitable routes that have the demand.The recent sapphire's purchases would have been nice if split between pulsar and gemini operation!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yAmF9L4laHU