(13 Jun 2014, 7:50 pm)Robert wrote So why the hell dont they just brand them as 'Sapphire'. Surely something must be different.

I think your missing the point - he means it will be the same idea as Sapphire that the vehicles will ONLY be allocated to the X10/X11.

(13 Jun 2014, 7:57 pm)Tom wrote I think your missing the point - he means it will be the same idea as Sapphire that the vehicles will ONLY be allocated to the X10/X11.

But as we all know, fat chance of that happening (unless Blyth decide to change their ways - and if they manage to do that now, it begs the question why it couldn't have been done sooner!)

(13 Jun 2014, 7:55 pm)Dan wrote Arriva has less money to pay out with "MAX", as they don't have to retro fit power sockets - a fairly difficult (and expensive) job, as I understand it? That's the main difference between "MAX" and "Sapphire" anyway.

Must be the way the power is actually generated, stored or distributed I guess. I don't know a lot about it, but would be quite interested if anyone has info to share. I'd guess the fitting of the actual sockets is the easiest part of it.

(13 Jun 2014, 7:57 pm)Tom wrote I think your missing the point - he means it will be the same idea as Sapphire that the vehicles will ONLY be allocated to the X10/X11.

Aye, it's never going to happen though. If they can't manage it with the Hybrids (that they have to report back on when they're not allocated right!), they're never going to manage when it's entirely optional. It's a complete free for all.

(13 Jun 2014, 7:55 pm)Dan wrote Arriva has less money to pay out with "MAX", as they don't have to retro fit power sockets - a fairly difficult (and expensive) job, as I understand it? That's the main difference between "MAX" and "Sapphire" anyway.

Also, with MAX the floors are not replaced like there are on Sapphire refurbishments. MAX is a local management initiative (NE & Yorks) and is a lot cheaper than Sapphire, whereas Sapphire is a UK wide initiative, which as has previously been said on here, with one team doing all the Sapphire launches.

Bit off topic, but how is this OK?

For Arriva, an Adult single from Greenhead to Carlisle is £5.40.
For Stagecoach in Cumbria, the very same ticket costs just £4.25. Bearing in mind that is a jointly operated service. Ugh.

(14 Jun 2014, 9:26 am)northern156 wrote Bit off topic, but how is this OK?

For Arriva, an Adult single from Greenhead to Carlisle is £5.40.
For Stagecoach in Cumbria, the very same ticket costs just £4.25. Bearing in mind that is a jointly operated service. Ugh.

I believe that there are discrepancies between the fares from Hexham to Corbridge.

Alx 400 decker caught my eye yesterday in orginal livery with what looks like an interurban dark blue colour front bumper.
I missed the fleet no but was on the 56s leaving Ferryhill.Must be one of Belmonts the older trident 2s i guess!
Anyone else spotted that one....

(14 Jun 2014, 1:05 pm)buznut wrote Alx 400 decker caught my eye yesterday in orginal livery with what looks like an interurban dark blue colour front bumper.
I missed the fleet no but was on the 56s leaving Ferryhill.Must be one of Belmonts the older trident 2s i guess!
Anyone else spotted that one....

It is 7433.

From Sunday 29th June, Service X1 will run hourly on Sundays all year round.

(14 Jun 2014, 4:37 pm)Jimmi wrote From Sunday 29th June, Service X1 will run hourly on Sundays all year round.

Ah, wondered what the change was.

Does anyone have any idea when the Sapphire branded Streetlites will be delivered for the 306?

(15 Jun 2014, 7:38 am)Richard Smiles wrote Looking at the updated Arriva 2014 Orders Thread, it appears that the Streetlites for the 306 at Jesmond, the 35/35A at Ashington & 23 at Durham are now to be built to Standard Spec.

Only The 24 Streetlites ordered for Teesside (10 for Stockton) & (14 for Redcar/Whitby) will be built to Sapphire Specification.

They always were standard spec, though I believe they are to be the standard (10.8m) length rather than the 11.5m Max version which the Sapphire ones will be. They should be due in August.

(15 Jun 2014, 8:22 am)tyresmoke wrote They always were standard spec, though I believe they are to be the standard (10.8m) length rather than the 11.5m Max version which the Sapphire ones will be. They should be due in August.

306 gettimg smaller vehicles? It doesn't seem like two minutes ago when the Palatines and ALX400's were working it.

(15 Jun 2014, 9:21 am)DaveyBowyer wrote 306 gettimg smaller vehicles? It doesn't seem like two minutes ago when the Palatines and ALX400's were working it.

There is no difference in capacity between the two versions amazingly, just the 10.8m seats 41 and the Max seats 45. Both can carry 70 people, though... According to Wrights specifications anyway!

(15 Jun 2014, 9:47 am)tyresmoke wrote There is no difference in capacity between the two versions amazingly, just the 10.8m seats 41 and the Max seats 45. Both can carry 70 people, though... According to Wrights specifications anyway!

That must be a maximum weight limitation - the longer vehicle (with more seats) will be heavier, and, conversely the shorter vehicle will be lighter allowing more standees.

Hmmm:- maybe it's a licensing limit? as the following shows all lengths max out at 70/71 pax:-
http://www.wright-bus.com/streetlite/options.html

Do buses have 'evacuation' requirements (like aircraft)?

Thanks to all concerned for preparation in compiling the fleet lists. Very informative.

(15 Jun 2014, 1:15 pm)forster wrote Thanks to all concerned for preparation in compiling the fleet lists. Very informative.

Glad they've been helpful!

(15 Jun 2014, 9:59 am)G-CPTN wrote That must be a maximum weight limitation - the longer vehicle (with more seats) will be heavier, and, conversely the shorter vehicle will be lighter allowing more standees.

Hmmm:- maybe it's a licensing limit? as the following shows all lengths max out at 70/71 pax:-
http://www.wright-bus.com/streetlite/options.html

Do buses have 'evacuation' requirements (like aircraft)?

Seems pretty odd that they all take the same number of people, although I doubt 70/71 people on any sized Streetlite would be quite a squash!

(14 Jun 2014, 9:26 am)northern156 wrote Bit off topic, but how is this OK?

For Arriva, an Adult single from Greenhead to Carlisle is £5.40.
For Stagecoach in Cumbria, the very same ticket costs just £4.25. Bearing in mind that is a jointly operated service. Ugh.

Its okay because operators on joint services, potentially colluding on fares is highly illegal.

(15 Jun 2014, 6:58 pm)VolvoMarkII wrote Its okay because operators on joint services, potentially colluding on fares is highly illegal.

But such a large discrepancy is fair?

A difference of 20p or so perhaps would have been more acceptable than £1.15.

I remember it being mentioned before but can't find the post...

This photo shows the new style of route number display on Arriva's Belmont-based vehicles.
Very similar to Go North East's Fab56 and Citylink route numbers!

(16 Jun 2014, 8:28 am)Dan wrote I remember it being mentioned before but can't find the post...

This photo shows the new style of route number display on Arriva's Belmont-based vehicles.
Very similar to Go North East's Fab56 and Citylink route numbers!

Only temporary. As mentioned before, it is proposed that all destination lists will be done by the Commerical Managers by the end of this year and all depots will be in the same style.

Stockton-based MPD 1771 is now back in service after repaint, leaving just 1769 of the Operation Overdrive MPDs to be treated (Although including all the ADL MPDs - 1760-2/90/1 are still in the original livery)

(16 Jun 2014, 8:28 am)Dan wrote I remember it being mentioned before but can't find the post...

This photo shows the new style of route number display on Arriva's Belmont-based vehicles.
Very similar to Go North East's Fab56 and Citylink route numbers!

Darlo's depot have changed yet again, with some screens just displaying 'Town Centre' in a strange way whilst others say Town Centre via...' And some of the EcoCity's destinations are different to other EcoCity's. But as said by Kuyoyo, this is all set to change.

(16 Jun 2014, 9:44 pm)JoshP wrote Darlo's depot have changed yet again, with some screens just displaying 'Town Centre' in a strange way whilst others say Town Centre via...' And some of the EcoCity's destinations are different to other EcoCity's. But as said by Kuyoyo, this is all set to change.

They've been working on the Ecocity vehicles trying to stop the destination screens flashing. Also you should notice the majority of the Solos with full rear screens should be displaying a full rear screen now too, like they did a while ago when first implemented!

(17 Jun 2014, 4:03 pm)tyresmoke wrote They've been working on the Ecocity vehicles trying to stop the destination screens flashing. Also you should notice the majority of the Solos with full rear screens should be displaying a full rear screen now too, like they did a while ago when first implemented!

Yeah I've noticed that, the only exceptions are the 2 previous NHS Solos, which have the number in the middle again. But yeah each screen on each bus in Darlo seems to be different since last week haha there's something strange afoot. Also, any update on 4809?

In addition to the upgraded seats in the Blyth based MAX spec. vehicles, the handrails/poles have been replaced, and are now painted in a light grey rather than the previous cream colour, with new bell pushes fitted.

(17 Jun 2014, 4:03 pm)tyresmoke wrote Also you should notice the majority of the Solos with full rear screens should be displaying a full rear screen now too, like they did a while ago when first implemented!

2838/2839 at Belmont also display a full rear screen now too.

Is there any reason for the 34 to have a double decker operating it? Every time I've seen it there has been a maximum of about 4 people on, often it looks completely empty, would it not be better suited to an MPD or is there something saying it must have a double decker?