(19 Apr 2014, 1:20 pm)tyresmoke wrote It's amazing the amount of people who ask for a "£4.20 Tripper" - I usually ask which one they want... Such a strong brand recognition!

How much is it for one bought on Stagecoach these days?

(19 Apr 2014, 1:31 pm)Robert wrote Im guessing these 4 were branded for 'Sightseeker' services 93 and X93. At least 1 has not been taken out of service for refurbishment unless there is more than 4 buses branded as I saw one heading to Scarborough on a X93 earlier today.

There was at least two 75xx still at Whitby yesterday.

(19 Apr 2014, 1:56 pm)Roland Pratt wrote How much is it for one bought on Stagecoach these days?

It's £4.35 at present for the Tripper. 5p more than Arriva.

7488 is now in service at Whitby which should mean another E400 is freed up to go to Ashington. Just seen 7501 still in service on X93 tonight though.

The Whitby Park & Ride contract started as scheduled yesterday with the two branded Solos (2827/8) being used and I've heard reports of it being well used, even on day one! The weather has certainly helped no doubt!

One of Darlingtons's x1 branded pulsar's heading into garnetts depot Bishop this evening.Must be using it as a local base...How many x1s are based there!

(19 Apr 2014, 6:14 pm)buznut wrote One of Darlingtons's x1 branded pulsar's heading into garnetts depot Bishop this evening.Must be using it as a local base...How many x1s are based there!

They've been doing that virtually since the service started.

(19 Apr 2014, 6:29 pm)Roland Pratt wrote They've been doing that virtually since the service started.

Is 1404-1407 based there.... I presume all maintenance and cashing in is done at darlo still,Does that mean arriva sub contract garnetts to clean and refuel these buses daily?

(19 Apr 2014, 7:07 pm)buznut wrote Is 1404-1407 based there.... I presume all maintenance and cashing in is done at darlo still,Does that mean arriva sub contract garnetts to clean and refuel these buses daily?

Yes they do, although it is a reciprocal agreement which sees 5 Garnett's coaches based at Faverdale for school contracts in and around Darlington.

Any idea on when the buses for the new sapphire routes will arrive/be ready?

The X21 and X22 lot should be ready by June. I know now why they're doing the 57 reg ones and not the 14 reg ones. Because the 57 reg ones wouldn't cut the 14, X14, 20 and X20 but, they would cut the X21 and X22 and if the 14, X14 , 20 and obviously to stop a common 308 scenario happening with the X21 and X22, if any of the 5 MAX spec vehicles became VOR on the X18 for a long period, then it would be replaced with anything from 7514 to 7521 in turn being replaced by a B7 or Lowlander. A similar cascade rule could in turn apply if any two of the 14 Sapphire vehicles became VOR and the 15th one was already replacing one of them or in the worst case scenario, was also VOR. A MAX vehicle could then be allocated and from there, a hierarchal process continuing from there. I wonder whether the PVR will be increased with the 15th vehicle. Would they be interworking?

(19 Apr 2014, 8:11 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote The X21 and X22 lot should be ready by June. I know now why they're doing the 57 reg ones and not the 14 reg ones. Because the 57 reg ones wouldn't cut the 14, X14, 20 and X20 but, they would cut the X21 and X22 and if the 14, X14 , 20 and obviously to stop a common 308 scenario happening with the X21 and X22, if any of the 5 MAX spec vehicles became VOR on the X18 for a long period, then it would be replaced with anything from 7514 to 7521 in turn being replaced by a B7 or Lowlander. A similar cascade rule could in turn apply if any two of the 14 Sapphire vehicles became VOR and the 15th one was already replacing one of them or in the worst case scenario, was also VOR. A MAX vehicle could then be allocated and from there, a hierarchal process continuing from there. I wonder whether the PVR will be increased with the 15th vehicle. Would they be interworking?

Would it not have been sensible to put the newer,more reliable, ones on the more premium service though to aid time keeping and reliability? And will they alternate the spare so that one desnt have far less milage than the others?

(19 Apr 2014, 8:19 pm)mb134 wrote Would it not have been sensible to put the newer,more reliable, ones on the more premium service though to aid time keeping and reliability? And will they alternate the spare so that one desnt have far less milage than the others?

7501-8 along with at present 7 of the on-order E400s are to be used on the X21/X22. The remaining 5 new examples are to be used on the X18 (which requires 6 buses, go figure) while another 4 of the current E400s refurbished for the X14/14.

(19 Apr 2014, 8:36 pm)Kuyoyo wrote 7501-8 along with at present 7 of the on-order E400s are to be used on the X21/X22. The remaining 5 new examples are to be used on the X18 (which requires 6 buses, go figure) while another 4 of the current E400s refurbished for the X14/14.

Are changes happening to Ashington/Jesmond services like they normally do in September, hence a decrease in the PVR?

(19 Apr 2014, 7:07 pm)buznut wrote Is 1404-1407 based there.... I presume all maintenance and cashing in is done at darlo still,Does that mean arriva sub contract garnetts to clean and refuel these buses daily?

There are regular rumours that the Darlington Operations Manager has it in mind to take the buses back into the main fleet as there are problems covering duties by the Depot Controller. and that the Traffic Officers are also not in favour of the use of outstations. However this service seems to be operating very successfully and had the blessing of the Area MD Nick Knox when it was started to see off competition from OK1 Which is what was achieved

(20 Apr 2014, 9:33 am)Tom wrote Are changes happening to Ashington/Jesmond services like they normally do in September, hence a decrease in the PVR?

The X21 and X22 is actually getting an increase in it's PVR of 14+1 spare to keep to the Sapphire brand and to help aid reliability. I hope that the next set of changes see the introduction of a Coast Road express similar to the 44 between Newcastle and Whitley Bay. The only reason that it didn't make money for was because it served New York and Norham Road rather than Lynn Road and Billy Mill. If they brought the section back between Newcastle and Whitley Bay but have it operating via Lynn Road, Billy Mill then only calling at Willington Square, it would be be successful and it would massively help with the reliability of the 308 at peak times.

Made a couple of observations over Friday and Saturday, and here are somethings I noticed.

Firstly, the X26/X27. I'm not sure if these services actually deserve a upgrade to Scania Omnciities, never mind ''MAX''. The three X26/X27's I saw, only justified a Solo. The first X27 came in with half a bus, and left with three passengers, the next X26 came into Darlington full, but with no standees, left with one passenger, and then the next X26 came in with about a quarter of the bus, and left with about seven/eight passengers. Not sure if it's really worth upgrading this service? Now, the 21/21A. I think these services are in need of a upgrade, and the Scania Omnicities planned to go on the X26/X27 could probably be more worthwhile on the 21/21A's. From what I saw, loadings on both services were decent. The Prestige on the 21A arrived into Peterlee with it's full seating capacity, and left about half full, and the 21 was packed with standees. These services should be upgraded to ''MAX'' in my opinion, albeit not being express routes. I didn't actually think these routes were busy at all until yesterday. So I reckon a swap would be good, Solos on the X26/X27, Omnicities on the 21/21A.

I do think the 23 could justify Streetlites on the Hartlepool-Peterlee route, but beyond that it's up and down. Some were full, some were empty. For example, a Solo left Peterlee to Sunderland with around eight or nine passengers, but then the Pulsar on the next run left almost full! I don't know if the Streetlites would increase profit and passenger numbers on the service, but I hope it would!

Finally, If Arriva want to encourage more passengers onto their Northumberland Coast network, they are going to have to sort themselves out before they get the upgrade. The X18 was 13 minutes late leaving Haymarket yesterday, and people don't think about the effect this has on the X14. If those services are running late, the X14 will carry practically no passengers if a X15 or X18 is running in front. 13 minutes late is a improvement from 45 minutes late last week, but still. First step would be to increase layover times at Berwick, and make ammendments to the timetables. People won't rely on a service that runs late all the time, hence decreasing usage of those services.

All in all, I think Arriva have made some good decisions, but one or two bad ones too, especially with the X26/X27. I'm glad to see the X66 getting ''MAX'', and I'd like to see the 1/X1 follow suit. I was really impressed with the amount of people using the X1 yesterday. Maybe the 5/5A could get ''MAX'', and then that's all that could be upgraded really.

I'd like to say the same about the ''Quorum Express'' services too, but sadly with the amount of timetable ammendments Arriva have made, and route changes, not many people use the service from Newcastle-Balilol/Qourum now, and use Stagecoach X63. Maybe Arriva could win back passengers if they upgraded the service, and keep a simple timetable. as I think others have seen a fall in passenger numbers too.

(20 Apr 2014, 9:38 pm)Tom wrote Made a couple of observations over Friday and Saturday, and here are somethings I noticed.

Firstly, the X26/X27. I'm not sure if these services actually deserve a upgrade to Scania Omnciities, never mind ''MAX''. The three X26/X27's I saw, only justified a Solo. The first X27 came in with half a bus, and left with three passengers, the next X26 came into Darlington full, but with no standees, left with one passenger, and then the next X26 came in with about a quarter of the bus, and left with about seven/eight passengers. Not sure if it's really worth upgrading this service? Now, the 21/21A. I think these services are in need of a upgrade, and the Scania Omnicities planned to go on the X26/X27 could probably be more worthwhile on the 21/21A's. From what I saw, loadings on both services were decent. The Prestige on the 21A arrived into Peterlee with it's full seating capacity, and left about half full, and the 21 was packed with standees. These services should be upgraded to ''MAX'' in my opinion, albeit not being express routes. I didn't actually think these routes were busy at all until yesterday. So I reckon a swap would be good, Solos on the X26/X27, Omnicities on the 21/21A.

All in all, I think Arriva have made some good decisions, but one or two bad ones too, especially with the X26/X27. I'm glad to see the X66 getting ''MAX'', and I'd like to see the 1/X1 follow suit. I was really impressed with the amount of people using the X1 yesterday. Maybe the 5/5A could get ''MAX'', and then that's all that could be upgraded really.

The busiest I've seen the X26/X27 is all seats occupied.

In my experience with the 21 is busy between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe and does have standing passengers between Station Town and Peterlee quite often.

When I've seen the 21A its quite busy.

I think the 21/21A would be far more deserving of an upgrade than the X26/X27.

The Darlington X1 does really well, especially between Bishop Auckland and Shildon.

(20 Apr 2014, 10:38 pm)Jimmi wrote The busiest I've seen the X26/X27 is all seats occupied.

In my experience with the 21 is busy between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe and does have standing passengers between Station Town and Peterlee quite often.

When I've seen the 21A its quite busy.

I think the 21/21A would be far more deserving of an upgrade than the X26/X27.

The Darlington X1 does really well, especially between Bishop Auckland and Shildon.

I can tell you the 21/21A are very peaky. Some days you can run around with 2 or 3 people yet on market day in Stockton you can arrive into there with around 60 people at the right time of day! Some of the afternoon departures from Peterlee can be fairly busy but they're generally empty beyond Trimdon all the way to Middlesbrough with only 2 or 3 people. The same applies going northbound on a morning, whereas it'll be busy gong south into Middlesbrough. Similarly, the afternoon departures from Middlesbrough can often leave empty and run with very few passengers all the way to Peterlee. I imagine the 21 is very similar. The X7 has taken all of the passengers from Wingate, though.

The X26/X27 do pick up quite a lot though, and they pick up even more at the rail station with heavy usage by forces people and families for Catterick. I still don't think cutting it from every 15 to every 20 mins was the smartest move but if its cut the cost down whilst maintaining (or increasing) revenue then I suppose it's for the best. A lot of Darlington's driver have a "town driver" mentality though and don't like taking big buses outside of the town... Even though full size vehicles used to operate the X26/X27 (and former guises...) and Ecocities now operate on the 21 on Sundays.

(20 Apr 2014, 10:49 pm)tyresmoke wrote I can tell you the 21/21A are very peaky. Some days you can run around with 2 or 3 people yet on market day in Stockton you can arrive into there with around 60 people at the right time of day! Some of the afternoon departures from Peterlee can be fairly busy but they're generally empty beyond Trimdon all the way to Middlesbrough with only 2 or 3 people. The same applies going northbound on a morning, whereas it'll be busy gong south into Middlesbrough. Similarly, the afternoon departures from Middlesbrough can often leave empty and run with very few passengers all the way to Peterlee. I imagine the 21 is very similar. The X7 has taken all of the passengers from Wingate, though.

The X26/X27 do pick up quite a lot though, and they pick up even more at the rail station with heavy usage by forces people and families for Catterick. I still don't think cutting it from every 15 to every 20 mins was the smartest move but if its cut the cost down whilst maintaining (or increasing) revenue then I suppose it's for the best. A lot of Darlington's driver have a "town driver" mentality though and don't like taking big buses outside of the town... Even though full size vehicles used to operate the X26/X27 (and former guises...) and Ecocities now operate on the 21 on Sundays.

X1 would deserve MAX more than X26/X27 in my opinion.

(20 Apr 2014, 10:53 pm)Tom wrote X1 would deserve MAX more than X26/X27 in my opinion.

I'm sure in time it will be extended to other routes, just we can't do them all in one go.

(20 Apr 2014, 10:57 pm)tyresmoke wrote I'm sure in time it will be extended to other routes, just we can't do them all in one go.

Will it actually be branded as MAX or not?

(20 Apr 2014, 10:49 pm)tyresmoke wrote I can tell you the 21/21A are very peaky. Some days you can run around with 2 or 3 people yet on market day in Stockton you can arrive into there with around 60 people at the right time of day! Some of the afternoon departures from Peterlee can be fairly busy but they're generally empty beyond Trimdon all the way to Middlesbrough with only 2 or 3 people. The same applies going northbound on a morning, whereas it'll be busy gong south into Middlesbrough. Similarly, the afternoon departures from Middlesbrough can often leave empty and run with very few passengers all the way to Peterlee. I imagine the 21 is very similar. The X7 has taken all of the passengers from Wingate, though.

The X26/X27 do pick up quite a lot though, and they pick up even more at the rail station with heavy usage by forces people and families for Catterick. I still don't think cutting it from every 15 to every 20 mins was the smartest move but if its cut the cost down whilst maintaining (or increasing) revenue then I suppose it's for the best. A lot of Darlington's driver have a "town driver" mentality though and don't like taking big buses outside of the town... Even though full size vehicles used to operate the X26/X27 (and former guises...) and Ecocities now operate on the 21 on Sundays.

The X7 probably has had an impact on the 21A as it runs a few mins ahead and runs direct to Sunderland rather than terminate in Peterlee one minute before the 24 departs for Sunderland which is a pain as what normally happens is the 21/21A arrives as the 24 is reversing out of the bus station, which means you have to wait over 10 minutes for the 23 which takes ages to get to Sunderland.

(20 Apr 2014, 10:58 pm)Tom wrote Will it actually be branded as MAX or not?

Yes the list for 2014 is X10/X11, X14/14, X15, X18, X26/X27, X66

(20 Apr 2014, 11:15 pm)tyresmoke wrote Yes the list for 2014 is X10/X11, X14/14, X15, X18, X26/X27, X66

Cheers
Do you know when these will be in service?

(20 Apr 2014, 11:17 pm)Tom wrote Cheers
Do you know when these will be in service?

X10/X11 should be launched by early July, the rest will follow progressively through the year. The refurbs are already behind on what had been planned though.

(20 Apr 2014, 9:38 pm)Tom wrote Made a couple of observations over Friday and Saturday, and here are somethings I noticed.

Firstly, the X26/X27. I'm not sure if these services actually deserve a upgrade to Scania Omnciities, never mind ''MAX''. The three X26/X27's I saw, only justified a Solo. The first X27 came in with half a bus, and left with three passengers, the next X26 came into Darlington full, but with no standees, left with one passenger, and then the next X26 came in with about a quarter of the bus, and left with about seven/eight passengers. Not sure if it's really worth upgrading this service? Now, the 21/21A. I think these services are in need of a upgrade, and the Scania Omnicities planned to go on the X26/X27 could probably be more worthwhile on the 21/21A's. From what I saw, loadings on both services were decent. The Prestige on the 21A arrived into Peterlee with it's full seating capacity, and left about half full, and the 21 was packed with standees. These services should be upgraded to ''MAX'' in my opinion, albeit not being express routes. I didn't actually think these routes were busy at all until yesterday. So I reckon a swap would be good, Solos on the X26/X27, Omnicities on the 21/21A.

I do think the 23 could justify Streetlites on the Hartlepool-Peterlee route, but beyond that it's up and down. Some were full, some were empty. For example, a Solo left Peterlee to Sunderland with around eight or nine passengers, but then the Pulsar on the next run left almost full! I don't know if the Streetlites would increase profit and passenger numbers on the service, but I hope it would!

Finally, If Arriva want to encourage more passengers onto their Northumberland Coast network, they are going to have to sort themselves out before they get the upgrade. The X18 was 13 minutes late leaving Haymarket yesterday, and people don't think about the effect this has on the X14. If those services are running late, the X14 will carry practically no passengers if a X15 or X18 is running in front. 13 minutes late is a improvement from 45 minutes late last week, but still. First step would be to increase layover times at Berwick, and make ammendments to the timetables. People won't rely on a service that runs late all the time, hence decreasing usage of those services.

All in all, I think Arriva have made some good decisions, but one or two bad ones too, especially with the X26/X27. I'm glad to see the X66 getting ''MAX'', and I'd like to see the 1/X1 follow suit. I was really impressed with the amount of people using the X1 yesterday. Maybe the 5/5A could get ''MAX'', and then that's all that could be upgraded really.

I'd like to say the same about the ''Quorum Express'' services too, but sadly with the amount of timetable ammendments Arriva have made, and route changes, not many people use the service from Newcastle-Balilol/Qourum now, and use Stagecoach X63. Maybe Arriva could win back passengers if they upgraded the service, and keep a simple timetable. as I think others have seen a fall in passenger numbers too.

I'd say that the best option for the peak season on the X18 would be to introduce a clippy who could take the fares and give tourism information and guidance to passengers. It would work well despite the cost involved and help keep the service to time. An eight hour running board from Newcastle to Berwick and back at £7.50 per hour would work out at £60. A couple of high value daily and weekly tickets sold would see to that. Weekends and bank holidays only would be enough for clippys though.

(20 Apr 2014, 10:49 pm)tyresmoke wrote I can tell you the 21/21A are very peaky. Some days you can run around with 2 or 3 people yet on market day in Stockton you can arrive into there with around 60 people at the right time of day! Some of the afternoon departures from Peterlee can be fairly busy but they're generally empty beyond Trimdon all the way to Middlesbrough with only 2 or 3 people. The same applies going northbound on a morning, whereas it'll be busy gong south into Middlesbrough. Similarly, the afternoon departures from Middlesbrough can often leave empty and run with very few passengers all the way to Peterlee. I imagine the 21 is very similar. The X7 has taken all of the passengers from Wingate, though.

The X26/X27 do pick up quite a lot though, and they pick up even more at the rail station with heavy usage by forces people and families for Catterick. I still don't think cutting it from every 15 to every 20 mins was the smartest move but if its cut the cost down whilst maintaining (or increasing) revenue then I suppose it's for the best. A lot of Darlington's driver have a "town driver" mentality though and don't like taking big buses outside of the town... Even though full size vehicles used to operate the X26/X27 (and former guises...) and Ecocities now operate on the 21 on Sundays.

I imagine the x26/27 are busy depending on postings to/from Catterick, current ops and the time of the year too.
Cant see there being too many members of the forces or their families trekking about on Good Friday or Easter Saturday.

(20 Apr 2014, 11:05 pm)Jimmi wrote The X7 probably has had an impact on the 21A as it runs a few mins ahead and runs direct to Sunderland rather than terminate in Peterlee one minute before the 24 departs for Sunderland which is a pain as what normally happens is the 21/21A arrives as the 24 is reversing out of the bus station, which means you have to wait over 10 minutes for the 23 which takes ages to get to Sunderland.

Talking of connections, the driver of the 1937 63 from Redcar on Good Friday night won't win any awards for customer service. The 22 due at 1926 pulled in the bus station 10 minutes late, passenger jumped off and ran up the bus station, just as the 63 pulled away. He tapped on the door but the driver refused to open it and let him on. He had only moved about two inches.

When X21 goes sapphire what will happen on a Sunday where, at the moment, it works with the 35, will the 35 get sapphire vehicles on a Sunday or will timetable changes be made?

(21 Apr 2014, 10:46 am)mb134 wrote When X21 goes sapphire what will happen on a Sunday where, at the moment, it works with the 35, will the 35 get sapphire vehicles on a Sunday or will timetable changes be made?

That interworking will be terminated - likewise the arrangement on Teesside where the Sunday 5s interwork with the 28Bs. As for how both changes will work, we'll have to wait until the background work for the two changes take place (the background changes for the 5/28b interworking is set to happen in July).

(19 Apr 2014, 1:57 pm)Roland Pratt wrote There was at least two 75xx still at Whitby yesterday.

With all the recent talk on the X93....What's the lastest update?
Are the B7s working this now or are they still on the 81s....Does anybody know the lastest easter allocations?