(11 Feb 2026, 1:11 pm)220631612 wrote The agency in Durham is not for Arriva. There’s union won’t allow agency drivers in the Durham County part of the operations

Think you got confused with a recruitment agent there and agency staff. 

https://www.breakroom.cc/en-gb/jobs/list...astle-upon - The standard rate after 6 month is £16.00 now, that's changed very recently.

New pay deal recently agreed

It looks like Pulsar 1396 has seen its final day. Sat looking forlorn in Darlington yard with several bits missing, a nasty lean to the right (not a political statement!), a screen notice and  a red steering cover. It's also been registered as SORN.

(17 Feb 2026, 8:27 am)9920up wrote It looks like Pulsar 1396 has seen its final day. Sat looking forlorn in Darlington yard with several bits missing, a nasty lean to the right (not a political statement!), a screen notice and  a red steering cover. It's also been registered as SORN.

1396 was withdrawn due to chassis work required and it's MOT had ran out, it has only just recently returned to the yard at faverdale

The notorious 7557 has arrived at Ashington from Blyth, replacing previous loans of 7636/1505 which have both failed.

7504 is apparently now withdrawn.

Notice that, despite being out all week, 1499 has been nowhere near the 553 since Monday. I wonder if enough hospital staff have complained about the state of it internally that they've decided/been told to keep it off there for a while.

Last time I was on it I don't think there was a pair of seats without some sort of grime on them - the back row in particular was disgusting.

(21 Feb 2026, 11:00 pm)PH - BQA wrote Notice that, despite being out all week, 1499 has been nowhere near the 553 since Monday. I wonder if enough hospital staff have complained about the state of it internally that they've decided/been told to keep it off there for a while.

Last time I was on it I don't think there was a pair of seats without some sort of grime on them - the back row in particular was disgusting.

That would be good if that was the case, but I'm not sure as it has had plenty of time away from the 553 previously. I hope you're right though as it needs sorting. The exterior was recently re done so they should sort the interior.

(21 Feb 2026, 11:06 pm)Arriva7446 wrote That would be good if that was the case, but I'm not sure as it has had plenty of time away from the 553 previously. I hope you're right though as it needs sorting. The exterior was recently re done so they should sort the interior.

On the subject of the 553, does anyone by any chance know when it was introduced and why it was numbered 553? 

The service was cancelled, but registered again, in September 2024. Surprised to see Arriva continuing to run the service. Could the 6/7 not be rerouted to replace it?, serving Freeman car park instead of Freeman Road, with interchange at South Gosforth for the Metro to and from Regent Centre. Would still be 2 bph. Does Arriva have a long term contract for it, presumably until franchising?

How busy is the 653? Unfortunately I don't often see it to know. Maybe the 18 and 653 could be merged, so Benton to/from Battle Hill would have 2 bph, serving Freeman car park towards Battle Hill only, maybe 1 bph extended to Battle Hill and the other terminating at Walker as now.

653 gets about 1000 passengers a month

(21 Feb 2026, 11:06 pm)Arriva7446 wrote That would be good if that was the case, but I'm not sure as it has had plenty of time away from the 553 previously. I hope you're right though as it needs sorting. The exterior was recently re done so they should sort the interior.

Previous recent spells of it being away from the 553 have coincided with something else having an issue with emissions though - 7506 and 1389 from memory. This week 4 separate Pulsars were allocated, similar to when 1499 has been VOR/off for MOT, and those 4 have done other work the other days so have clearly been fine with emissions. 

They must be making a conscious effort to keep it off the 553 for some reason.

---

(Yesterday, 12:41 am)OrangeArrow49 wrote The service was cancelled, but registered again, in September 2024. Surprised to see Arriva continuing to run the service. Could the 6/7 not be rerouted to replace it?, serving Freeman car park instead of Freeman Road, with interchange at South Gosforth for the Metro to and from Regent Centre. Would still be 2 bph. Does Arriva have a long term contract for it, presumably until franchising?

The 6/7 and Metro cannot replace the 553 - the entire point of it is to link two NHS sites. It serves the same purpose as the H, realistically, but is open to the general public. 

The NHS would need to negotiate staff pass usage on both the 6/7 and the Metro, for a start, then add in that by making people change you're massively extending journey times for staff. 

Add onto that the patients who can connect onto the 553 at Regent Centre from all local bus services - given the Freeman has consistent issues with traffic then making public transport easier will be an aim. Taking away the 553 likely results in more cars arriving.

(Yesterday, 10:51 am)PH - BQA wrote Previous recent spells of it being away from the 553 have coincided with something else having an issue with emissions though - 7506 and 1389 from memory. This week 4 separate Pulsars were allocated, similar to when 1499 has been VOR/off for MOT, and those 4 have done other work the other days so have clearly been fine with emissions. 

They must be making a conscious effort to keep it off the 553 for some reason.

Tbf, probably Blyth just being Blyth. They've always been awful at allocations. Maybe the normal person who does it is on holiday being half term etc and the person doing it last week just doesn't give a toss?

(Yesterday, 11:22 am)Storx wrote Tbf, probably Blyth just being Blyth. They've always been awful at allocations. Maybe the normal person who does it is on holiday being half term etc and the person doing it last week just doesn't give a toss?

1499 is consistently allocated to the 553 otherwise (bar the periods mentioned above), and has been since they started running the 553 with it. I'd say it is extremely unlikely that one person being on holiday resulted in a full week of it being allocated elsewhere, largely because I believe it is a rota and the same person does not do allocations for a full week regardless.

(Yesterday, 11:31 am)PH - BQA wrote 1499 is consistently allocated to the 553 otherwise (bar the periods mentioned above), and has been since they started running the 553 with it. I'd say it is extremely unlikely that one person being on holiday resulted in a full week of it being allocated elsewhere, largely because I believe it is a rota and the same person does not do allocations for a full week regardless.

Not recently it hasn't mind; it's been a bit random since the start of the year really; it only done Thurs and Friday the week before for example. 

and wasn't on the 9th/12th/13th/16th/19th/20th January either, the vehicles you mentioning above being on the other weeks.

(Yesterday, 11:40 am)Storx wrote Not recently it hasn't mind; it's been a bit random since the start of the year really; it only done Thurs and Friday the week before for example. 

and wasn't on the 9th/12th/13th/16th/19th/20th January either, the vehicles you mentioning above being on the other weeks.

Pretty much every day (bar this week) it hasn't been on the 553 it's been on a later run out, indicating that it likely hasn't been ready to go when the 553 leaves the depot. 

This week it was out at 5:08am, 6:03am (tracking at Cramlington, so left earlier), 5:17am, and 6:13am on the days it didn't do a 553.

I see the 553 on my commute every day, so can confirm first hand that it is rare that 1499 isn't on the 553 for more than a day or so. Understandable when the replacement is the same vehicle for a period (i.e 7506 and 1389), but curious when it is out and a different Pulsar is on the 553 each day.

(Yesterday, 10:51 am)PH - BQA wrote Previous recent spells of it being away from the 553 have coincided with something else having an issue with emissions though - 7506 and 1389 from memory. This week 4 separate Pulsars were allocated, similar to when 1499 has been VOR/off for MOT, and those 4 have done other work the other days so have clearly been fine with emissions. 

They must be making a conscious effort to keep it off the 553 for some reason.

---

The 6/7 and Metro cannot replace the 553 - the entire point of it is to link two NHS sites. It serves the same purpose as the H, realistically, but is open to the general public. 

The NHS would need to negotiate staff pass usage on both the 6/7 and the Metro, for a start, then add in that by making people change you're massively extending journey times for staff. 

Add onto that the patients who can connect onto the 553 at Regent Centre from all local bus services - given the Freeman has consistent issues with traffic then making public transport easier will be an aim. Taking away the 553 likely results in more cars arriving.

The 553 doesn't link two NHS sites, it only runs between Regent Centre and the Freeman via South Gosforth. Passengers (NHS staff or the general public) surely need to change at Regent Centre, and could use South Gosforth off the 6/7 instead.

(Yesterday, 2:37 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote The 553 doesn't link two NHS sites, it only runs between Regent Centre and the Freeman via South Gosforth. Passengers (NHS staff or the general public) surely need to change at Regent Centre, and could use South Gosforth off the 6/7 instead.

Regent Point next to Regent Centre is an NHS site.

(Yesterday, 2:41 pm)NEtransport wrote Regent Point next to Regent Centre is an NHS site.

Ah, I wasn't aware. That's fair enough. Can see now why 6/7 couldn't replace the 553. I thought it was just because Regent Centre is an interchange, therefore South Gosforth could be used instead.

7596 was stinking of fumes towards the back of the bottom deck last night, the driver opened the windows and carried on. It appears to have been out again early today. Hopefully whatever caused that has cleared.

Does anyone know when the little E200 MMCs are due to leave Darlington?

(Yesterday, 10:09 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Does anyone know when the little E200 MMCs are due to leave Darlington?

Whenever their electrics turn up and are in service. Expected to be nearer the end of the year I believe, sure I heard July for delivery.

(Yesterday, 10:58 pm)tyresmoke wrote Whenever their electrics turn up and are in service. Expected to be nearer the end of the year I believe, sure I heard July for delivery.

I'm hoping to get back to Darlington to capture them before they are replaced. Can't remember what EVs are being delivered. Little E200MMC's are cute looking things!

(Yesterday, 11:38 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I'm hoping to get back to Darlington to capture them before they are replaced. Can't remember what EVs are being delivered. Little E200MMC's are cute looking things!

Believe they’re getting Wright Kite EV’s, different sizes. Can’t remember the detail without looking it up but I think may have been 7 large and 14 small. Someone will no doubt correct me.

(Yesterday, 11:44 pm)tyresmoke wrote Believe they’re getting Wright Kite EV’s, different sizes. Can’t remember the detail without looking it up but I think may have been 7 large and 14 small. Someone will no doubt correct me.

Of course, Wright Kite EVs. No worries.

Sad to see the E200MMC's leaving the fleet, I liked seeing them when they were at Jesmond, but they didn't stick around long and I've never been on any of them unfortunately. Hopefully I get the opportunity to see and ride them at Darlington, before they move on elsewhere.

When the Wright Kite EVs arrive, that will be another trip down to Darlington to capture them and give them a try!

(Yesterday, 11:38 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote I'm hoping to get back to Darlington to capture them before they are replaced. Can't remember what EVs are being delivered. Little E200MMC's are cute looking things!

Darlington are losing the little E200MMCs but they are getting 10 more new longer ones apparently 

New plan
10x E200MMCs for Darlington 
18x E200MMCs for Redcar 
10x Evoras for Stockton 

Original plan 
18x E200MMCs for Stockton 

It’s what I’ve been told

(Today, 7:49 am)busesofthenortheast wrote Darlington are losing the little E200MMCs but they are getting 10 more new longer ones apparently 

New plan
10x E200MMCs for Darlington 
18x E200MMCs for Redcar 
10x Evoras for Stockton 

Original plan 
18x E200MMCs for Stockton 

It’s what I’ve been told

Darlington are supposed to be keeping 3 mini E200s

(Today, 8:26 am)Iross13 wrote Darlington are supposed to be keeping 3 mini E200s

Just to add, the 3 minis are being kept for the 18 and the Dalesbus work. The 18 can’t take kites due to Albert Hill Bridge, Dalesbus is due to range.

(Today, 7:49 am)busesofthenortheast wrote Darlington are losing the little E200MMCs but they are getting 10 more new longer ones apparently 

New plan
10x E200MMCs for Darlington 
18x E200MMCs for Redcar 
10x Evoras for Stockton 

Original plan 
18x E200MMCs for Stockton 

It’s what I’ve been told

I thought the evoras were coming to Redcar not stockton

(Today, 9:55 am)Ryland wrote I thought the evoras were coming to Redcar not stockton

Change of plan - with only 10 Evoras on order, not enough to cover the PVR of the 63/64/65 from next month

(Yesterday, 11:44 pm)tyresmoke wrote Believe they’re getting Wright Kite EV’s, different sizes. Can’t remember the detail without looking it up but I think may have been 7 large and 14 small. Someone will no doubt correct me.

No, that's correct - 7 11.6m examples (I'm merely assuming on the length) for the 2 and 14 10.9m (again, assuming but that is the shortest length) for the rest of the town network bar the tendered 16 17 and 18.