Not sure there but think I read on here that Darlingtons "Max" routes are to be the 26/7 Richmond/Catterick services and the X66 to Middlesbrough so would summarise that they won't be?

I'd definitely say that the next Sapphire upgrade in the Northumbria area not next year but sometime in the future would be the X10 and X11 or if Arriva NW or Yorkshire wanted more Hybrids, the 308. They both run at least every 15 minutes or more combined or standalone. I remember one driver telling me once that the 308 is the most profitable route in the North East. Is that true?

(12 May 2014, 9:25 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I'd definitely say that the next Sapphire upgrade in the Northumbria area not next year but sometime in the future would be the X10 and X11 or if Arriva NW or Yorkshire wanted more Hybrids, the 308. They both run at least every 15 minutes or more combined or standalone. I remember one driver telling me once that the 308 is the most profitable route in the North East. Is that true?

X10/X11 is about to be relaunched under the Max brand, so I can't see it getting any Sapphire investment just yet...

(12 May 2014, 9:25 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I remember one driver telling me once that the 308 is the most profitable route in the North East. Is that true?

Very unlikely that a driver would know that sort of information.

Highly sensitive and only the top managers and commercial people will know that one!

(12 May 2014, 9:30 pm)tyresmoke wrote X10/X11 is about to be relaunched under the Max brand, so I can't see it getting any Sapphire investment just yet...

Not yet but I'd probably say in 2016/7 when the DB300's are between 4/5-7/8 year old. Or, so the passengers don't get annoyed seeing a 308 hybrid on the X10 or X11, upgrade all three in 2018 when the Hybrids are 5 year old.

Here's a good one for you Scott? Remember us talking about the timings on the X93? Just looking at an old United timetable from 1986 and the timings were leaner than they are now ? I'm assuming they were one man op and they'ed be using Leyland Nationals and the like?

(12 May 2014, 4:44 pm)JoshP wrote I noticed today that all the Optare Solos in Darlington (minus the 2011 batch) have reverted back their rear destination screen, so instead of just a number in the middle it now replicates the front destination screen.

Why they changed it to just a number on such a long screen baffled me anyway! Glad it's back to the way it was

When the screens are programmed, each one has its own identity: 0 is front, 1 is side, 2 is rear. Since most buses only have number screens '2' is used. However, the option to have a full rear screen is '3'. I've attached a screenshot of the software to show how it works if anyone is interested.

There is a little dial on each screen showing 0-9 which matches with the programming software. For some reason the solos with big screens were set to 2, but by changing them to 3 it shows the full screen. 2838/9 at Durham have also been done, and work is being done to stop the Ecocitys from flashing constantly.

(12 May 2014, 10:08 pm)palatine3833 wrote When the screens are programmed, each one has its own identity: 0 is front, 1 is side, 2 is rear. Since most buses only have number screens '2' is used. However, the option to have a full rear screen is '3'. I've attached a screenshot of the software to show how it works if anyone is interested.

There is a little dial on each screen showing 0-9 which matches with the programming software. For some reason the solos with big screens were set to 2, but by changing them to 3 it shows the full screen. 2838/9 at Durham have also been done, and work is being done to stop the Ecocitys from flashing constantly.

Cheers for that information I never knew that. And yeah I always wondered why the EcoCity's screens always flashed.

I also think that the new 'Estate' idea on the destination screens is useless, who refers to areas in Darlo as 'Branksome Estate, Mowden Estate, Red Hall Estate' etc. it was better as just 'Branksome' or 'Mowden'.

Are all screen changes region wide changes, for instance did the Newcastle solo's have '2' screens and now back to '3'? Or is it depot based screen changes?

Bring back the old rollers front and rear and see how that plays he'll with the timings? Oh the guy of winding one of them the full length of the roll and trying to read backwards. Think I'm in a reminiscent mood tonight.

(12 May 2014, 5:56 pm)mb134 wrote Could it be incorporated into the route change of the 34?

Arriva lost the contract for the schools service 32 (Longhorsley) and this helped to pay for the 30. These changes could be to incorporate the 30 in
to existence services.

(12 May 2014, 10:27 pm)JoshP wrote Are all screen changes region wide changes, for instance did the Newcastle solo's have '2' screens and now back to '3'? Or is it depot based screen changes?

At present, Jesmond Blyth Ashington Durham and Darlington each do their own screen lists. With the exception of a small number of Stockton vehicles (1769/71 and 4006/7), Stockton and Redcar screen list is done by the Commerical Manager for the southern area of the division. It is proposed that eventually both Commerical managers will do the screen lists for their side of the division so each depot is in the same style.

Changes to buses around Darlington from Sunday.

http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/content.aspx?id=34359742520

(13 May 2014, 5:50 pm)Jimmi wrote Changes to buses around Darlington from Sunday.

http://www.arrivabus.co.uk/content.aspx?id=34359742520

The 2 and 11 interworking has disaster and delays written all over it.

Doesn't anyone think it's time for sone stabilisation of the services and timetables ? It's good to see that passengers (and drivers l expect) are being listened to but you can't help thinking that all this tweaking leads to uncertainty and confusion.

(13 May 2014, 10:07 pm)robisdave15 wrote Doesn't anyone think it's time for sone stabilisation of the services and timetables ? It's good to see that passengers (and drivers l expect) are being listened to but you can't help thinking that all this tweaking leads to uncertainty and confusion.

I suppose its a case of you cant have your cake and eat it?

We, the public, demand improvements to punctuality etc. on a regular basis, then get upset when services are revised.

The operators can't win!

I agree that we need a period of stabilisation, but it is only normal to expect timetable changes, as long as it's not wholesale route changes again any time soon.

(13 May 2014, 9:01 pm)JoshP wrote The 2 and 11 interworking has disaster and delays written all over it.

I'm not so sure. The new timetables appear to give both services some significant time where it is needed.

For example, look at the new Service 11 timings between McMullen Road Roundabout & Red Hall in the afternoon... you could walk it! Definitely some thought gone into it, rather than the usual throw it together and hope it works.

Its all been paid for by a reduction in frequency of the 2 (goes to every 12) in comparison to what it is now in the afternoon (every 9), so you can see where the time has come from.

Today buses
9 is 1923
5 4654
64 1101
X3A 1437
5 4658
X93 7486
64 4712
29A 1492

(14 May 2014, 11:39 am)jaimz13 wrote Today buses
9 is 1923
5 4654
64 1101
X3A 1437
5 4658
X93 7486
64 4712
29A 1492

None of those particularly unusual, except possibly the last.

(14 May 2014, 12:44 pm)Roland Pratt wrote None of those particularly unusual, except possibly the last.

do they normally use dafs on X3A just that i saw one today couldn't see fleet number

So add to that list the fact that Redcar have 2 of their B7's working on 81/81a's which kinda defeats the objective of providing them with 6 of these to run the X93. OK we've had the argument before about the need for rotation etc, etc but we're now approaching peak season with all the attendant blurb and people aren't gonna be impressed if they can't get on, or a seat!

(14 May 2014, 3:39 pm)robisdave15 wrote So add to that list the fact that Redcar have 2 of their B7's working on 81/81a's which kinda defeats the objective of providing them with 6 of these to run the X93. OK we've had the argument before about the need for rotation etc, etc but we're now approaching peak season with all the attendant blurb and people aren't gonna be impressed if they can't get on, or a seat!

Two were 'undergoing repair' by Diagtest Ltd two days ago - not sure if these repairs are complete yet?
https://www.flickr.com/photos/110217213@...200469753/

Thanks Dan? Thought I was on 89 this morning but not sure. Just hope these are gonna last the summer.

All about Sapphire..

http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2014...a-new-gem/

(14 May 2014, 7:51 pm)citaro5284 wrote All about Sapphire..

http://www.passengertransport.co.uk/2014...a-new-gem/

Interesting read, but I think it highlights how far ahead of the game GNE are when it comes to the North East. Aside from having a premium brand livery, GNE have been doing this for years, ever since the introduction of the first batch of Mercs. Think the label was "Leave the car at home and take the Merc" or something? As well as providing an enhanced passenger experience - improved seating, info screens, a refreshing/modern vehicle, and previously unexperienced levels of comfort for a local bus service. They've obviously built on this since then, with the introduction of WiFi and Next Stop screens.

(14 May 2014, 7:59 pm)aureolin wrote Interesting read, but I think it highlights how far ahead of the game GNE are when it comes to the North East. Aside from having a premium brand livery, GNE have been doing this for years, ever since the introduction of the first batch of Mercs. Think the label was "Leave the car at home and take the Merc" or something? As well as providing an enhanced passenger experience - improved seating, info screens, a refreshing/modern vehicle, and previously unexperienced levels of comfort for a local bus service. They've obviously built on this since then, with the introduction of WiFi and Next Stop screens.

I believe GNE also highlight Mercedes vehicles being on the (Blaydon Racers?) on it's interior.

(14 May 2014, 7:59 pm)aureolin wrote Interesting read, but I think it highlights how far ahead of the game GNE are when it comes to the North East. Aside from having a premium brand livery, GNE have been doing this for years, ever since the introduction of the first batch of Mercs. Think the label was "Leave the car at home and take the Merc" or something? As well as providing an enhanced passenger experience - improved seating, info screens, a refreshing/modern vehicle, and previously unexperienced levels of comfort for a local bus service. They've obviously built on this since then, with the introduction of WiFi and Next Stop screens.

And the driver has their trusty Tait sitting there when they run late, have suspected a vehicle fault or breakdown. Arriva could easily implement radios on most of the Northumbria routes. The newer Tait radios also come with GSM allowing a loss of coverage in places such as Berwick to be kept to a minimum.

Anyone gt any pics of the old 722/723

(14 May 2014, 8:38 pm)speedwheels22 wrote Anyone gt any pics of the old 722/723

With Delta 4079 in service;

https://m.flickr.com/#/photos/stagecoach...D_w_IS_all

(14 May 2014, 8:45 pm)Marcus wrote With Delta 4079 in service

4097 . . .

(14 May 2014, 8:52 pm)G-CPTN wrote 4097 . . .

Sorry, I was typing fast.