(30 May 2014, 4:24 pm)tyresmoke wrote Love all this uninformed speculation... They couldn't source coaches for whatever reason (I assume Shires getting back into Luton Airport has something to do with this) so we will have to choose the next best thing from within the current North East fleet.

The X15 will therefore have to be operated with whatever is available in the current fleet which doesn't really leave many suitable vehicles. I understand it will be a mixed route with Omnicities and E400s employed. The X18 will run with a PVR of 5 once funding cuts strike in Northumberland hence why it is only getting 5 new vehicles, and not 6.

I'm only going off past details, but then some of us can only go on speculation

Any idea what is happening with the Temsas, As two appear to be at Jesmond Depot from what I can make out of the Depot itself.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/14327459243/

Edit only one, other must be a Renown or a Pulsar next to it

(30 May 2014, 7:33 pm)NEBCD Malarkey wrote Any idea what is happening with the Temsas, As two appear to be at Jesmond Depot from what I can make out of the Depot itself.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/nebp2/14327459243/

Edit only one, other must be a Renown or a Pulsar next to it

It's 4711, just been repainted. Probably the latest to have been to Smiles for modifications.

(30 May 2014, 7:42 pm)tyresmoke wrote It's 4711, just been repainted. Probably the latest to have been to Smiles for modifications.

What are the mods being done? Is the re seating still cancelled

Couple of nasty kickdowns on 4661 this morning, also when starting to move the engine just spools like it's not in gear then catches a gear a couple of seconds after...

(31 May 2014, 7:35 am)upt50k wrote What are the mods being done? Is the re seating still cancelled

They have been making modifications to the engine mountings, and also installing new E-fan micro-hybrid technology which should reduce overheating, and also cut fuel consumption too. See http://avidtp.com/products/micro-hybrid-systems/
50 Optare Solos are in the process of having the same technology installed, indeed I believe some have had it a few months now.

Those eFans look like computer cooling fans.

Cheap as chips - room for lots of mark-up . . .

Scott - you might know this, am I right in that I am hearing the AVL/RTI that Arriva have currently installed is not going to be used in a Control Room environment to regulate services?

(31 May 2014, 8:56 am)northern156 wrote Couple of nasty kickdowns on 4661 this morning, also when starting to move the engine just spools like it's not in gear then catches a gear a couple of seconds after...

Check oil level (and condition) - carbonised oil can block solenoid control valves.

(31 May 2014, 9:09 am)citaro5284 wrote Scott - you might know this, am I right in that I am hearing the AVL/RTI that Arriva have currently installed is not going to be used in a Control Room environment to regulate services?

We don't have a control room so yes in that sense it won't be used to regulate services, as all of that is done locally using inspectors at key points and drivers ringing up by phone to report late running.

(31 May 2014, 9:26 am)tyresmoke wrote We don't have a control room so yes in that sense it won't be used to regulate services, as all of that is done locally using inspectors at key points and drivers ringing up by phone to report late running.

Drivers ringing up.....do you think Arriva should invest in radio's for the vehicles? I am guessing you use your own mobile then claim the money back, so what happens to a driver who either does not have a mobile or refuses to use it for Company business?

(31 May 2014, 9:28 am)citaro5284 wrote Drivers ringing up.....do you think Arriva should invest in radio's for the vehicles? I am guessing you use your own mobile then claim the money back, so what happens to a driver who either does not have a mobile or refuses to use it for Company business?

They used to but not long after I started they closed the radio room (at Jesmond) to reduce cost. We can claim the cost of phone calls back yes but I'm not sure how many take it up - as for drivers not having a phone, I would assume this is very rare but my guess is they would have to wait until they reached a staffed point to contact an inspector (!) - which isn't too bad on town services but on something like the X93 you could be away for upto 2 hours.

(31 May 2014, 9:38 am)tyresmoke wrote as for drivers not having a phone, I would assume this is very rare but my guess is they would have to wait until they reached a staffed point to contact an inspector (!) - which isn't too bad on town services but on something like the X93 you could be away for upto 2 hours.

I was thinking more if they have broke down and could not get to a staffed point.

(31 May 2014, 9:57 am)citaro5284 wrote I was thinking more if they have broke down and could not get to a staffed point.

Well yes that would be a problem! Also in places with no mobile reception, I know that's pretty rare these days but on routes like Dalesbus for example.

(31 May 2014, 10:12 am)tyresmoke wrote Also in places with no mobile reception, I know that's pretty rare these days but on routes like Dalesbus for example.

There are places along the 685 route west of Hexham where mobile reception is non-existent.

Radios would be a great investment for ANE and it would improve the Customer Service by a country mile.

(31 May 2014, 11:00 am)DaveyBowyer wrote Radios would be a great investment for ANE and it would improve the Customer Service by a country mile.

But what programme would they tune the radios to?
Probably have to be easy-listening music rather than speech due to the noise in the bus.

Im told that the system they use now to do the live tracking, will be expanded in the near future to include a two way text based communication system between controller (i.e. supervisor or manager) and driver using the wayfarer.

Presumably pre-determined responses will be coded in so the driver can respond by pressing a button rather than typing an essay.

(31 May 2014, 11:34 am)VolvoMarkII wrote Presumably pre-determined responses will be coded in so the driver can respond by pressing a button rather than typing an essay.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=sCwILO-AtEs

(31 May 2014, 9:10 am)G-CPTN wrote Check oil level (and condition) - carbonised oil can block solenoid control valves.

It will probably be £1 Morrisons cooking oil knowing ANE!!