(24 Jan 2014, 8:42 pm)Tom wrote Maybe they should just scrap the X2, and put more time into the X1, which is a very popular service.

Like I said, scrapping the X2 would be resisted by Durham University, as the alternative is extending the X1 to Framwellgate Moor to continue providing a cross-city link to the University. From what has been mentioned else on here in the past, the next revision to the X1 will see extra time added in to improve the service all week long (obliviously Sundays are the downside ones when usage across the board is down, hence the interworking of X1s with 27/27a on Sundays).

(24 Jan 2014, 9:17 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Like I said, scrapping the X2 would be resisted by Durham University, as the alternative is extending the X1 to Framwellgate Moor to continue providing a cross-city link to the University. From what has been mentioned else on here in the past, the next revision to the X1 will see extra time added in to improve the service all week long (obliviously Sundays are the downside ones when usage across the board is down, hence the interworking of X1s with 27/27a on Sundays).

X1s are still busy on a Sunday albeit on an hourly frequency, they're heavily used by university students and people heading to Durham for the day. Going hourly year round too I believe.

I think that what will most likely happen is 4 VDL DB300's will get put into the X10 / X11 livery from the Quroum Express livery. That'll then allow the newer 61 reg ones to go to Redcar. The 4 E400's will either go straight to Blyth and painted into the Quroum Express livery or, 4 newer ones will be swapped with Ashington then 4 09 reg ones will go to Blyth and be painted into the Quorum Express livery.

(25 Jan 2014, 1:51 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote I think that what will most likely happen is 4 VDL DB300's will get put into the X10 / X11 livery from the Quroum Express livery. That'll then allow the newer 61 reg ones to go to Redcar. The 4 E400's will either go straight to Blyth and painted into the Quroum Express livery or, 4 newer ones will be swapped with Ashington then 4 09 reg ones will go to Blyth and be painted into the Quorum Express livery.

7607 is the example due to move southbound for trial. As 7514-21 already have a future use, Blyth will likely end up getting back their original E400s from Whitby.

(24 Jan 2014, 9:17 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Like I said, scrapping the X2 would be resisted by Durham University, as the alternative is extending the X1 to Framwellgate Moor to continue providing a cross-city link to the University. From what has been mentioned else on here in the past, the next revision to the X1 will see extra time added in to improve the service all week long (obliviously Sundays are the downside ones when usage across the board is down, hence the interworking of X1s with 27/27a on Sundays).

So why do they still run the X1 limited stop on Durham Road on a Sunday, when there is no other service down part of it? They run it all stops on other sections. When I suggested it they said it was Stagecoach's job to provide a service on Durham Road!! Arriva's ancestors always ran down Durham Road!

(25 Jan 2014, 4:49 pm)Roland Pratt wrote So why do they still run the X1 limited stop on Durham Road on a Sunday, when there is no other service down part of it? They run it all stops on other sections. When I suggested it they said it was Stagecoach's job to provide a service on Durham Road!! Arriva's ancestors always ran down Durham Road!

Probably because there's no market there, and where there is one, the 15 covers it. The X1 stops at the very top anyway. You barely ever pick anyone up on a 21A or 6 and if you do it's because the 58s are running around in pairs or threes.

(25 Jan 2014, 1:59 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 7607 is the example due to move southbound for trial. As 7514-21 already have a future use, Blyth will likely end up getting back their original E400s from Whitby.

Let's not forget that Durham have 5 easily accessible Geminis which aren't branded nor require any paint...

(25 Jan 2014, 4:49 pm)Roland Pratt wrote So why do they still run the X1 limited stop on Durham Road on a Sunday, when there is no other service down part of it? They run it all stops on other sections. When I suggested it they said it was Stagecoach's job to provide a service on Durham Road!! Arriva's ancestors always ran down Durham Road!

Yes why don't Arriva run all stops when the least demand is there, on Sundays and Evenings...

I'm actually glad Arriva told you it is Stagecoach's job to provide the evening service, given that they are the commercial daytime operator, as that in my view is more than a reasonable response. Ian, you don't even live there so why are you bothered about the stopping arrangements at times when nobody is around anyway ? Or is it just your rejection of everything Arriva in general? I suspect the latter !

Even if they consider enough demand, at a bare minimum they would go all stops Mon-Sat daytime first ? The fact they don't, suggests that the 58 already caters for the majority and by stopping all stops on the X1 would simply delay the service rather than improve it.

I'm told Gemini 7624 has arrived at Whitby.

(26 Jan 2014, 7:13 pm)tyresmoke wrote I'm told Gemini 7624 has arrived at Whitby.

Strange, considering the X10/X11 branding. Know if anything has gone the other way?

I don't suppose you've seen 4093 on your travels either have you? :p

(26 Jan 2014, 7:42 pm)aureolin wrote Strange, considering the X10/X11 branding. Know if anything has gone the other way?

I don't suppose you've seen 4093 on your travels either have you? :p

7501 should now be at Blyth after work at Ashington.

As for 4093, it is officially now for disposal and I personally haven't seen it yet this year (although I've not been about in the Redcar operational area much).

(26 Jan 2014, 7:45 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 7501 should now be at Blyth after work at Ashington.

As for 4093, it is officially now for disposal and I personally haven't seen it yet this year (although I've not been about in the Redcar operational area much).

Cheers

Heres a question for you all and no, nothing has been said of it whatsoever, it's a thought provoking question just to get some opinions. With the exception of services 14, X14, X15 and X18 being operated from Rothbury Motors depot, would it be beneficial for Blyth and Ashington to do a 'Riverside' and merge the two depots into 1 superdepot?

(25 Jan 2014, 1:59 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 7607 is the example due to move southbound for trial. As 7514-21 already have a future use, Blyth will likely end up getting back their original E400s from Whitby.

Sorry, may I ask what 7514-21 will be used in future?

(26 Jan 2014, 10:02 pm)bcal3119 wrote Sorry, may I ask what 7514-21 will be used in future?

They are set to be refurbished as part of the upgrade of the X21/X22, but that's as much as I can say, but a clue, they will sparkle

(26 Jan 2014, 9:06 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote Heres a question for you all and no, nothing has been said of it whatsoever, it's a thought provoking question just to get some opinions. With the exception of services 14, X14, X15 and X18 being operated from Rothbury Motors depot, would it be beneficial for Blyth and Ashington to do a 'Riverside' and merge the two depots into 1 superdepot?

No, considering the new Ashington depot is due to open later this year anyway.

(26 Jan 2014, 10:06 pm)Kuyoyo wrote They are set to be refurbished as part of the upgrade of the X21/X22, but that's as much as I can say, but a clue, they will sparkle

Yes, but another 6 will be required though?

(26 Jan 2014, 10:16 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote Yes, but another 6 will be required though?

The rest of the PVR will be made up by brand new deckers are on order for the 'improvement', which are also said to be E400s.

E400's? They must be absolute bonkers! All the ISBE 6.7 litre engine is designed for is the typical 38, 39, 40, 62 and 63 run through Newcastle, not a 20 mile endurance route consisting of high speed dual carriageways and rural roads. Mind you though, there's nothing else much better around particularly since the B9TL was replaced by a smaller and less powerful and suited to purpose B5TL. The only way Arriva could pull off a successful and reliable series of route upgrades across Northumberland would be to negotiate 37 Gemini 3's with the B8TL engine for use on the X10, X11, X15, X18, X21 and X22.

(26 Jan 2014, 10:06 pm)Kuyoyo wrote They are set to be refurbished as part of the upgrade of the X21/X22, but that's as much as I can say, but a clue, they will sparkle

Is it irrational I'm hoping the sparkle will include a blue tint on the destination displays?

---

(27 Jan 2014, 12:12 am)Davey Bowyer wrote E400's? They must be absolute bonkers! All the ISBE 6.7 litre engine is designed for is the typical 38, 39, 40, 62 and 63 run through Newcastle, not a 20 mile endurance route consisting of high speed dual carriageways and rural roads. Mind you though, there's nothing else much better around particularly since the B9TL was replaced by a smaller and less powerful and suited to purpose B5TL. The only way Arriva could pull off a successful and reliable series of route upgrades across Northumberland would be to negotiate 37 Gemini 3's with the B8TL engine for use on the X10, X11, X15, X18, X21 and X22.

I've never known anyone to be so dead against E400s!!

(27 Jan 2014, 4:40 am)Dan wrote I've never known anyone to be so dead against E400s!!

I think they're good as a town and city bus and just that.

(27 Jan 2014, 12:12 am)Davey Bowyer wrote E400's? They must be absolute bonkers! All the ISBE 6.7 litre engine is designed for is the typical 38, 39, 40, 62 and 63 run through Newcastle, not a 20 mile endurance route consisting of high speed dual carriageways and rural roads. Mind you though, there's nothing else much better around particularly since the B9TL was replaced by a smaller and less powerful and suited to purpose B5TL. The only way Arriva could pull off a successful and reliable series of route upgrades across Northumberland would be to negotiate 37 Gemini 3's with the B8TL engine for use on the X10, X11, X15, X18, X21 and X22.

X18 is also getting new deckers this year, and guess what they are likely going to be - E400s . X15 is getting some 9 year old wheelchair-accessible VDL coaches from the Green Line fleet.

(27 Jan 2014, 4:39 am)Dan wrote Is it irrational I'm hoping the sparkle will include a blue tint on the destination displays?

Unlikely, only been the Shires who have had that touch so far

(27 Jan 2014, 7:22 am)Kuyoyo wrote X18 is also getting new deckers this year, and guess what they are likely going to be - E400s . X15 is getting some 9 year old wheelchair-accessible VDL coaches from the Green Line fleet.

Nothing has been confirmed as yet for the X18, though there aren't many options obviously...
The move to Geminis for the X93 may see a change to some of the plans, who knows

(25 Jan 2014, 6:33 pm)tyresmoke wrote Probably because there's no market there, and where there is one, the 15 covers it. The X1 stops at the very top anyway. You barely ever pick anyone up on a 21A or 6 and if you do it's because the 58s are running around in pairs or threes.

But the 58 doesnt run evenings/Sundays.

(26 Jan 2014, 8:35 am)VolvoMarkII wrote Yes why don't Arriva run all stops when the least demand is there, on Sundays and Evenings...

I'm actually glad Arriva told you it is Stagecoach's job to provide the evening service, given that they are the commercial daytime operator, as that in my view is more than a reasonable response. Ian, you don't even live there so why are you bothered about the stopping arrangements at times when nobody is around anyway ? Or is it just your rejection of everything Arriva in general? I suspect the latter !

Even if they consider enough demand, at a bare minimum they would go all stops Mon-Sat daytime first ? The fact they don't, suggests that the 58 already caters for the majority and by stopping all stops on the X1 would simply delay the service rather than improve it.

BECAUSE evenings and Sundays there is less pressure on time, and as has been said the 58 runs during the daytime. Arriva also operate there during the daytime don't they. Oh yes, only just, because the rest of their services they have withdrawn over the years. And the fact I am bothered is because someone I know who lives in the area raised the matter so stick that where the sun don't shine.

(27 Jan 2014, 10:51 am)Roland Pratt wrote BECAUSE evenings and Sundays there is less pressure on time, and as has been said the 58 runs during the daytime. Arriva also operate there during the daytime don't they. Oh yes, only just, because the rest of their services they have withdrawn over the years. And the fact I am bothered is because someone I know who lives in the area raised the matter so stick that where the sun don't shine.

That's just the reaction I expected from you, given you don't like Arriva and unwilling to face facts. 1986 is long gone.

(27 Jan 2014, 10:51 am)Roland Pratt wrote BECAUSE evenings and Sundays there is less pressure on time, and as has been said the 58 runs during the daytime. Arriva also operate there during the daytime don't they. Oh yes, only just, because the rest of their services they have withdrawn over the years. And the fact I am bothered is because someone I know who lives in the area raised the matter so stick that where the sun don't shine.

We'll be down to an hourly service up Durham Road soon and if I got my way the 21A would run limited stop out of the town too as there's no need for it to call everywhere, but that's me. If you've ever been on a Sunday X1 you'd know they are tight for time and I do wonder how the Durham drivers seem to cope using their Geminis on a night, having said that they've had to re-time them on a night already.

I know why it could be E400's though. Arriva may've negotiated a deal with Alexander Dennis with regards to 7510, thus getting a heavipy discounted order.

(27 Jan 2014, 2:28 pm)tyresmoke wrote We'll be down to an hourly service up Durham Road soon and if I got my way the 21A would run limited stop out of the town too as there's no need for it to call everywhere, but that's me. If you've ever been on a Sunday X1 you'd know they are tight for time and I do wonder how the Durham drivers seem to cope using their Geminis on a night, having said that they've had to re-time them on a night already.

Which hourly service?