Arriva North East

[kuyoyo]

RE: Arriva North East
Another bumper update here:

Ashington
14 new Enviro400MMCs are due here later in the year for 'Sapphire' X21/X22. Just two of the current allocation are due to stay - these to be two of the 7 examples new in 2014.

Following service changes in Durham, VDL DB250/Lowlander 7456 has returned here mainly for use on the 35. Following service changes, Streetlite 1581 transferred to Jesmond depot - it has been mentioned that the entire batch of Streetlites here will be moving to Jesmond in the future.

'MAX' Omnicity 4664 is here for the summer increase on the X18. Following changes at the end of October, Omnicity 4653/9 are now allocated to the X20 rather than the X14.

Blyth
Volvo B5LH 7801-10 are currently being refurbished to 'MAX' specification for the 308 (Blyth to Newcastle via Whitley Bay and the Coast Road) as well as for evening operation on the X10/X11.

The entire fleet of MPDs here are to be replaced later in the year by Solos from Durham.

Jesmond
As mentioned under 'Ashington', Streetlite 1581 is now here. Additional mentioned under that heading, the soon-to-be-replaced 'Sapphire' Enviro400s from that depot will be transferring here for use on the 43 (Newcastle to Cramlington and Morpeth), 44 (Newcastle to Dinnington and Morpeth) and 45 (Newcastle to Dinnington via Brunswick) replacing the DAF DB250/Alexander ALX400s currently branded for the service.

Pulsars 1419/80-2/95-7/9/1500 are being refurbished to MAX standard for the 306. Streetlites 1582-9 will instead be allocated to the 52/53/54 cycle to replace the remaining B10BLEs here.

Durham
Due here in the near future from Arriva Yorkshire are some of the Optare Tempos. They will indirectly allow the depot's Solo allocation (bar 'Frequenta 49/49a' branded 2822/3/38/9) to be transferred.

Stockton
Pulsars 1448-56 have been repainted into Frequenta base livery by Bus & Coach World (1451/3 are yet to be done - 51 is away now, 1453 going next week) for services 27/27a. Current spare branded 1457-60 are to have their branding amended to act as spares for the entire Stockton depot Frequenta network.

Following changes to the 'Sapphire' 5/5a, Pulsar 1512 moved to Jesmond with Streetlites 1550/1 losing their 5/5a branding (1552 lose and then regained the branding due to an error). Streetlites are now found on all Middlesbrough area routes on Sundays to provide free WiFi as well as the additional BSOG payment.

Redcar
Former Stockton Solo 2826 and ex-Durham MPD 1766 are now here for use on Whitby Towns. 1766 previously spend a day here last year.