(26 Jul 2026, 6:32 am)Storx wrote There's 10+ spares isn't there, on paper anyway? Quite a few really, obviously ignoring reliability here. Believe they usually work on a 10% rule and that's well over. 

Unless there's another 2 which Ashington haven't put out Blyth currently have 6 vehicles and Ashington only have 4 vehicles from the swap so who knows.

There aren't - they have 8 on paper which is just over 14% (one of the lowest spare percentages in the region I believe).

(26 Jul 2026, 9:22 am)L469 YVK wrote How did Blyth end up with 6? Seems a bit of an odd number given it doesn't match any PVRs other than perhaps the X9.

Would be nice to see some investment at Blyth later this year.

The hell do you mean "some investment"

Sorry are the BYD not theres or something

(26 Jul 2026, 9:22 am)L469 YVK wrote How did Blyth end up with 6? Seems a bit of an odd number given it doesn't match any PVRs other than perhaps the X9.

Would be nice to see some investment at Blyth later this year.

Blyth have had two lots of new buses this year so they won't receive any more this year

(27 Jul 2026, 9:37 pm)Dan manger wrote Blyth have had two lots of new buses this year so they won't receive any more this year

It doesn't always work that way. All new buses will be bought and allocated on the business case behind it. You quite often see some depots stuck with older cascades while the new stuff goes to the depots that make the best case for the investment. Blyth seem to be doing a good job at getting that investment at the moment.

(28 Jul 2026, 4:24 pm)Shrek wrote Blyth seem to be doing a good job at getting that investment at the moment.

Not sure I agree there mind. They've had 6 buses under iSquared (the BYD's were done under DB Regio).

The fleet serving Blyth and Ashington (the actual places) is objectively the worst it's ever been and still is after these new orders. The X21/X22 has a worse fleet now than it did in 2017 which is pretty impressive. They've pretty much surrendered to the new train line imo.

Darlington / Stockton / Redcar is where the investment is going that actually removes elderly and useless buses out the fleet and truthfully with franchising on the horizon I'd probably do the same really. Durham being even worse than the rest.

7548 left Ashington this morning. Could see two more Sapphires in the depot

7406 is now on the back wall missing front panel. Repainted as well. So who knows how long till the B9 are in service

It's good to see that all these new buses which displaced the 'unreliable' buses at Ashington means that everything is all good now.

Oh wait, there's a missing board on the 1/57/57A, a missing a board on the X21, 10x single deckers on the 35/X21/X22 and I haven't even started with Blyth.

It's almost like getting some new buses and displacing the buses which weren't the issue isn't going to fix anything but who knows maybe I'm just stupid.

(10 Aug 2026, 2:55 pm)Storx wrote It's good to see that all these new buses which displaced the 'unreliable' buses at Ashington means that everything is all good now.

Oh wait, there's a missing board on the 1/57/57A, a missing a board on the X21, 10x single deckers on the 35/X21/X22 and I haven't even started with Blyth.

It's almost like getting some new buses and displacing the buses which weren't the issue isn't going to fix anything but who knows maybe I'm just stupid.

Still waiting on the B9 entering service as well which are for the 35

7401 is there & 7406 recently turned up. So god knows how long we have to wait

(10 Aug 2026, 4:05 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Still waiting on the B9 entering service as well which are for the 35

7401 is there & 7406 recently turned up. So god knows how long we have to wait

Aye, mind depends if they displace anything though. If they withdraw the oldest Pulsar's (which ironically are reliable) then things could be even worse. 

I don't think even the biggest optimist can see them coming along and being the height of reliability. Means the sheds like 7530 have no-where to go either as they aren't coping on the X21/X22.

(10 Aug 2026, 2:55 pm)Storx wrote It's good to see that all these new buses which displaced the 'unreliable' buses at Ashington means that everything is all good now.

Oh wait, there's a missing board on the 1/57/57A, a missing a board on the X21, 10x single deckers on the 35/X21/X22 and I haven't even started with Blyth.

It's almost like getting some new buses and displacing the buses which weren't the issue isn't going to fix anything but who knows maybe I'm just stupid.

Driver numbers could be playing a part there as well, I'm sure I seen an agency advert last week advertising for bus drivers in Ashington.

Really impressive how Ashington have just received 19 brand new E400s yet still manage to allocate 1543 to an X18 board.

As I’ve said repeatedly, nothing will change with their operation until local management changes. They’re all inept.

(12 Aug 2026, 1:01 pm)PH - BQA wrote Really impressive how Ashington have just received 19 brand new E400s yet still manage to allocate 1543 to an X18 board.

As I’ve said repeatedly, nothing will change with their operation until local management changes. They’re all inept.

Why dont you apply there and sort it out if its bothering you that much

(11 Aug 2026, 11:06 am)Chris 1 wrote Driver numbers could be playing a part there as well, I'm sure I seen an agency advert last week advertising for bus drivers in Ashington.

Aye possibly, don't think it is though as it's boards where something has been pulled randomly and just not replaced. 

1392 on the 2 being today's culprit.

I see Arriva have got another Demonstrator built from Alexander Dennis in the form of a Enviro 200EV registered AR26 ZEB.

Given the colour of the green could also be for Westbus ops at First Bath as they have some on order alongside some E100EV's. 

(12 Aug 2026, 1:35 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Why dont you apply there and sort it out if its bothering you that much

I forget that pointing out basic inadequacies mean that I must immediately anpply and fix it. 

Fact of the matter is if you’re allocating a 15 year old Pulsar to an X18 board at 5:30 in the morning you’re not doing your job properly.

(12 Aug 2026, 7:48 pm)PH - BQA wrote I forget that pointing out basic inadequacies mean that I must immediately anpply and fix it. 

Fact of the matter is if you’re allocating a 15 year old Pulsar to an X18 board at 5:30 in the morning you’re not doing your job properly.

Hey be thankful the service ran

Do people care bare some person who watches bus times 24/7. Maybe if Ashington actually put the B9 into service then deckers on the 35 could do it

Or is that to hard for you to think about and would rather take a pot shot. Yeah didn't think so. You seem to have a grudge against Arriva 

The service ran and tbf that's better than anything at all

(12 Aug 2026, 8:19 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Hey be thankful the service ran

Do people care bare some person who watches bus times 24/7. Maybe if Ashington actually put the B9 into service then deckers on the 35 could do it

Or is that to hard for you to think about and would rather take a pot shot. Yeah didn't think so. You seem to have a grudge against Arriva 

The service ran and tbf that's better than anything at all

In fairness, Ashington have 3 extra deckers currently with the 3 DB300's (or did anyway - they definitely haven't returned to Blyth).

(12 Aug 2026, 8:19 pm)Nerd4321 wrote Hey be thankful the service ran

Do people care bare some person who watches bus times 24/7. Maybe if Ashington actually put the B9 into service then deckers on the 35 could do it

Or is that to hard for you to think about and would rather take a pot shot. Yeah didn't think so. You seem to have a grudge against Arriva 

The service ran and tbf that's better than anything at all

Not sure the people crammed onto a scruffy old Pulsar will share that thought process. 

Have you considered there may be a reason that the B9 hasn’t been used? I would assume that Ashington drivers haven’t been familiarised as a start. 

It’s peak summer and they’re using saloons on X18 coasts which have, recently, been carrying full loads on E400s.

(12 Aug 2026, 7:48 pm)PH - BQA wrote I forget that pointing out basic inadequacies mean that I must immediately anpply and fix it. 

Fact of the matter is if you’re allocating a 15 year old Pulsar to an X18 board at 5:30 in the morning you’re not doing your job properly.

Have you considered that there’s a priority list for what running boards need deckers and that that particular board isn’t high up on that list? I’ll take that as a no….

AR26ZEB is a seed vehicle for Arriva.

As for Vehicle Allocation, that Pulsar allocation was on the 30th July, and it looks like it was a one off. It also happened whilst they were switching between the 75xx batch of Enviro 400MMC and 77xx batch.

As for the B9TLs, I'm not sure if they are going to be registered / modified to go into Newcastle on the emmission rules. And I think 4 of them are still away for refurbishment. As someone mentioned, they probably need to train the drivers on said vehicles, and given there's little room for that considering they are struggling for drivers, it will take longer. TBH, I wouldn't be suprised if we don't see the B9TLs enter service until September or when the boards change to avoid buses on the 35 going onto a Newcastle bound route.

(13 Aug 2026, 11:24 am)Rapidsnap wrote AR26ZEB is a seed vehicle for Arriva.

As for Vehicle Allocation, that Pulsar allocation was on the 30th July, and it looks like it was a one off. It also happened whilst they were switching between the 75xx batch of Enviro 400MMC and 77xx batch.

As for the B9TLs, I'm not sure if they are going to be registered / modified to go into Newcastle on the emmission rules. And I think 4 of them are still away for refurbishment. As someone mentioned, they probably need to train the drivers on said vehicles, and given there's little room for that considering they are struggling for drivers, it will take longer. TBH, I wouldn't be suprised if we don't see the B9TLs enter service until September or when the boards change to avoid buses on the 35 going onto a Newcastle bound route.

Don't the B9TLs have the same loophole as most of GNE's 15/16 plate Euro 5 Cummins StreetLites?

The B9TLs would probably be fine on the X21 but anything else (and the X22 with the extension) would be asking for trouble IMO.

I'd like to think Arriva will see sense and keep these mostly on the 35.

(13 Aug 2026, 10:54 am)220631612 wrote Have you considered that there’s a priority list for what running boards need deckers and that that particular board isn’t high up on that list? I’ll take that as a no….

Is it booked a decker? Yes. 

At half 5 in the morning will there be a decker? Yes. 

Have they just received 19 brand new E400s? Yes. 

Are you about to tell me that the 434 is high priority for a decker?

---

(13 Aug 2026, 11:57 am)L469 YVK wrote Don't the B9TLs have the same loophole as most of GNE's 15/16 plate Euro 5 Cummins StreetLites?

The B9TLs would probably be fine on the X21 but anything else (and the X22 with the extension) would be asking for trouble IMO.

I'd like to think Arriva will see sense and keep these mostly on the 35.

Issue with that idea is that they’ve got a whole heap of unsuitable buses now. 7554 was tried again today and only made it to Newcastle having missed half of June, all of July, and all of August (bar two morning trips) so far. 

7527 and 7530 are two other examples which are liabilities.

(13 Aug 2026, 11:57 am)L469 YVK wrote Don't the B9TLs have the same loophole as most of GNE's 15/16 plate Euro 5 Cummins StreetLites?

The B9TLs would probably be fine on the X21 but anything else (and the X22 with the extension) would be asking for trouble IMO.

I'd like to think Arriva will see sense and keep these mostly on the 35.

I'm sure they'll just have gaps on service when they withdraw the reliable Pulsars and have multiple deckers VOR. 

These and the 14/64 Plate E400's should be nowhere near Ashington nor Arriva North East in general. 

They belong on a city route which does 10 mph all day but there's no routes in the North East which can do that which aren't already getting investment (2/64).

I don't bet but I'm pretty confident the B9TL's will be as useful as a shed. The 35 isn't even that of an easy route imo.

imo the whole the Arriva Northumbria South East Northumberland / North Tyneside (what's left of it) network is a disgrace. Riddled with cancellations, shite buses and just negligence. The quicker they disappear the better imo.

I’ve just been on 1480 on the 306 and it’s probably one of the worst buses I’ve been on in a long time. Sounds absolutely dreadful and it’s scruffy inside.

Go North East/Stagecoach have some issues, but I’ve never been on a bus as bad as that for a while.

(14 Aug 2026, 4:40 pm)NEtransport wrote I’ve just been on 1480 on the 306 and it’s probably one of the worst buses I’ve been on in a long time. Sounds absolutely dreadful and it’s scruffy inside.

Go North East/Stagecoach have some issues, but I’ve never been on a bus as bad as that for a while.

I just had 1480 on the 23:16 X7 to Seghill Chester Grove and it's interior seemed OK by Blyth standards (a very low standard I know, but I'd say 1499 is the worst by far, its absolutely hideous). 

The back of the saloon of 1480 was making a persistent rattling noise when the bus was stationary, but that screaming sound from the transmission when moving is something else. It was so loud that I could still hear it from Chester Grove street when the bus would have been at the Annitsford A189/A180 roundabout out of service.

(13 Aug 2026, 12:25 pm)Storx wrote I'm sure they'll just have gaps on service when they withdraw the reliable Pulsars and have multiple deckers VOR. 

These and the 14/64 Plate E400's should be nowhere near Ashington nor Arriva North East in general. 

They belong on a city route which does 10 mph all day but there's no routes in the North East which can do that which aren't already getting investment (2/64).

I don't bet but I'm pretty confident the B9TL's will be as useful as a shed. The 35 isn't even that of an easy route imo.

imo the whole the Arriva Northumbria South East Northumberland / North Tyneside (what's left of it) network is a disgrace. Riddled with cancellations, shite buses and just negligence. The quicker they disappear the better imo.

To be fair, I think the B9TLs will be fine on the 35.

GNE's 6043-48 spent 5 years doing the X9/X10, then the intenstive 10/10A/10B cycles as well as still regularly covering for gutless hairdryer B5TLs that couldn't hack the A19. Then they did the 47 until recently.

I don't think E400 / E400MMCs have been bad vehicles, but perhaps the Alnwick & Berwick routes have been a step too far for them.

Even with the Cummins StreetDeck which is still unproven, there's a clear gap for a bi-axile heavy duty decker that can either cover the extra-urban routes (X14/X15/X18/X20/X30) or be run into the ground over 15-20 years on interurban routes (Blyth 'X' routes, X21/X22)

(13 Aug 2026, 12:25 pm)Storx wrote I'm sure they'll just have gaps on service when they withdraw the reliable Pulsars and have multiple deckers VOR. 

These and the 14/64 Plate E400's should be nowhere near Ashington nor Arriva North East in general. 

They belong on a city route which does 10 mph all day but there's no routes in the North East which can do that which aren't already getting investment (2/64).

I don't bet but I'm pretty confident the B9TL's will be as useful as a shed. The 35 isn't even that of an easy route imo.

imo the whole the Arriva Northumbria South East Northumberland / North Tyneside (what's left of it) network is a disgrace. Riddled with cancellations, shite buses and just negligence. The quicker they disappear the better imo.

You seem to have a very werid take on Ashington & Pulsars. What do you expect the 1/2/35/57/57A to use. Rattle lites that barely work

(15 Aug 2026, 7:54 am)L469 YVK wrote To be fair, I think the B9TLs will be fine on the 35.

GNE's 6043-48 spent 5 years doing the X9/X10, then the intenstive 10/10A/10B cycles as well as still regularly covering for gutless hairdryer B5TLs that couldn't hack the A19. Then they did the 47 until recently.

I don't think E400 / E400MMCs have been bad vehicles, but perhaps the Alnwick & Berwick routes have been a step too far for them.

Even with the Cummins StreetDeck which is still unproven, there's a clear gap for a bi-axile heavy duty decker that can either cover the extra-urban routes (X14/X15/X18/X20/X30) or be run into the ground over 15-20 years on interurban routes (Blyth 'X' routes, X21/X22)

The problem is 7527/30/33/54 aren't any good on the X21/X22 either so you've now got the problem where do they go though. The 1/57/57A isn't the ideal answer but it's where they're spending most their time anyway the past few weeks.

On paper you've now got 4 E400's, 6x B9TL and 7 Pulsars (assuming 6 withdrawn) which really shouldn't be on anything bar the 35 but obviously that isn't practical. In reality you've now got a reduced timetable X21/X22 running around with Pulsars/Streetlite's and E400's running around on the 1/57/57A and I can't see it changing either.

Don't disagree with the rest but let's be honest Arriva ain't spending a money on them anyway. They're showing little signs they give a toss about Durham, Blyth and Ashington unless it's free handouts and will do whatever they can to tick over until 2030/31 imo. I don't know if something's happened behind the scenes but they seem really rattled about the Northumberland Line based on comments made before. 

(15 Aug 2026, 8:59 am)Nerd4321 wrote You seem to have a very werid take on Ashington & Pulsars. What do you expect the 1/2/35/57/57A to use. Rattle lites that barely work

Honestly, yes. 

I wouldn't be surprised one bit if the Streetlite's from Darlington end up at Ashington to replace the remaining Pulsar's at Ashington before long.

fyi the these there are the B9TL's btw not Pulsar's. I don't bet but I'll very surprised if 1389-93/1419 aren't withdrawn from the B9TL's. Ashington aren't getting another extra 6 buses on top of their current allocation.

Redcar seem to be struggling with its fleet at the moment. Lots of chopping and changing buses from different routes. Some often being the only bus for whats meant to be an hourly service. Lots of buses missing from service.

Arriva Merseyside 4599 has been sighted at St Helens depot, freshly painted & refurbished with Northumbria legal lettering, and carrying number 7402.....which is (or was) of course on a B9TL.