Other random workings from Stockton included:

- Pulsar 1448 on service 7
- Pulsar 1491 on service 21A - replacement for 4039 which broke down in Sedgefield early this morning
- MPD 1771 on service 21A - replacement for 4063 which broke down in Sedgefield at lunchtime (!)
- Cadet 1909 on service 5/5A, also a Prestige on there this afternoon...

Redcar meanwhile had Sainsburys MPD 1759 on the 63 yet again!

(10 Apr 2014, 6:27 pm)tyresmoke wrote Other random workings from Stockton included:

- Pulsar 1448 on service 7
- Pulsar 1491 on service 21A - replacement for 4039 which broke down in Sedgefield early this morning
- MPD 1771 on service 21A - replacement for 4063 which broke down in Sedgefield at lunchtime (!)
- Cadet 1909 on service 5/5A, also a Prestige on there this afternoon...

Redcar meanwhile had Sainsburys MPD 1759 on the 63 yet again!

Don't forget the location of the Volvo B7(s) today!

(10 Apr 2014, 6:30 pm)Dan wrote Don't forget the location of the Volvo B7(s) today!

Oh aye I think they've got 2 on the road again now! Both on 81 today, of course.

7477 is on the X2 again

X10 Branded 7617 on X4 this afternoon

(11 Apr 2014, 5:36 pm)citaro5284 wrote X10 Branded 7617 on X4 this afternoon

What are the rules in the Green Bus Fund? Everytime I go through Newcastle, I'm constantly seeing the 308 B5LH's on various express routes. I've heard variois rumors in the past that they're trying to allocate as few as possible on the 308 due to the fact that they can't handle the sliproads and roundabouts. Is this true or is it simply a matter of any bus or no bus?

(11 Apr 2014, 5:47 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote What are the rules in the Green Bus Fund? Everytime I go through Newcastle, I'm constantly seeing the 308 B5LH's on various express routes. I've heard variois rumors in the past that they're trying to allocate as few as possible on the 308 due to the fact that they can't handle the sliproads and roundabouts. Is this true or is it simply a matter of any bus or no bus?

You have to tell the government as to what routes you are wanting to operate the green vehicles on before they give you the money and then every 3 months you are suppose to complete a report and send it back to them outlining the vehicles have been used on the correct routes along with the MPG the green vehicles are getting against the vehicles that were used on the service before.

(11 Apr 2014, 5:51 pm)citaro5284 wrote You have to tell the government as to what routes you are wanting to operate the green vehicles on before they give you the money and then every 3 months you are suppose to complete a report and send it back to them outlining the vehicles have been used on the correct routes along with the MPG the green vehicles are getting against the vehicles that were used on the service before.

So what happens if they send the report back outlining that the vehicles have not been used on the correct route?

(11 Apr 2014, 5:36 pm)citaro5284 wrote X10 Branded 7617 on X4 this afternoon

I thought this was for rare & odd workings lol !!!

Had to chuckle at X2 from C-l-S this morning heading South at 7.15am - bus came down the Front Street and driver mustn't have known where to turn round, so carried on towards Newcastle & presumably turned at Northlands, so got back to the Front Street at well turned 20 past 7 & the Angel got all bar 1 punter. Bus then left with X1 on the blind - good eh !

(11 Apr 2014, 5:36 pm)citaro5284 wrote X10 Branded 7617 on X4 this afternoon

And meanwhile, 7810 is on the X10!

7492 on X21

(11 Apr 2014, 6:04 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote So what happens if they send the report back outlining that the vehicles have not been used on the correct route?

In Arriva's case probably the same happens as when you have registered services that are constantly being missed out and the Traffic Commissioners are told about it - ie sod all.

But they should only be getting used on the 308 if that's what they got the grant for. OK, if another Thunder Thursday like event was to happen and if no X10 or X11 was going to get into Blyth for three hours, then fair enough. But on a day to day basis, they should be working the 308 and if they have to come off for some reason or another (breakdowns or very late), then they should be reallocated back on the 308 at the first opportunity and not be used on the Quroum's, X10/11 or X13 unless it's in extreme circumstances. If they want to use a vehicle that's made it in on time from the above express buses to keep the 308 to time, then they should have a spare in place to fill in for that bus on the concerned express service and not a bus that is being subsidised by the green bus fund to be used on the 308.

Started out with 3 Pulsars and a Cadet on service 9 today... Now on there are 4006 and 4658!

7459 on the x24

(12 Apr 2014, 1:43 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote 7459 on the x24

Isn't that the normal allocation?

(12 Apr 2014, 1:43 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote 7459 on the x24

The X24 is often operated by double deckers on Saturdays and School holidays - 7460 was out on Wednesday.

Odd workings in Darlington:
1617 on Service 2.
1427 on Services 75/76.

(12 Apr 2014, 3:56 pm)Tom wrote Isn't that the normal allocation?

It may be, never seen it myself. Always been other vehicles, usually more modern.

Everytime I have seen 7459, it has been on runs to the south of Durham, rather than north.

(12 Apr 2014, 1:43 pm)Andreos Constantopolous wrote 7459 on the x24

I think something else did the first round trip this morning as 7459 entered Durham Bus Station around 10:55 out of service with a fitter at the wheel.

Also just remembered 7441/7443 were on Service 24 today.

(12 Apr 2014, 8:40 pm)Jimmi wrote I think something else did the first round trip this morning as 7459 entered Durham Bus Station around 10:55 out of service with a fitter at the wheel.

Also just remembered 7441/7443 were on Service 24 today.

Saw it in Birtley around 13.35 heading North.

The EcoCitys are working Services 5A, 21 & X66 again today.

Not really rare/odd, but worth noting given that they're on their last legs...

At least one of the Spectras is still in service - was on 20/X20 yesterday.

Commander 1401 has been on the 308 tonight, also worth noting it has a new rear advertisement for Northumberland College.

Both Spectras were on X20

That was on the 12th

1309 on X4

As is 4041!

1309 swapped some point as its onc22/64/64A

1637 was on Service X66 today.

Cadet 1920 spent the day on 5/5A today, bet that was fun!
MPD 1769 was on a 27 board until it was replaced, it immediately found its way onto a 9/27A board as replacement for Pulsar 1458 (which itself had replaced 1913 earlier in the day!) - it managed 2 trips until it got replaced by Cadet 1903.

I managed to get Cadet 1901 on a service 5 working as a replacement for Scania 4659 tonight. It worked the 1815 Middlesbrough-Easington only


Meanwhile, over at Redcar, X93 branded Enviro 400 7502 was on 81, and MPD 1737 saw use on the 63.