Arriva North East

[kuyoyo]

RE: Arriva North East
Review of 2012

2012 kicked off in style (in a way) with services changes in County Durham, planned ahead of the changes to the BSOG in April. At the same time, the last of the 2011/2012 vehicle order - the 13 VDL DB300/Wright Gemini 2s and 5 Optare Solos for NexusBus work - arrived. Along with 7 more Pulsars for Blyth in the summer, that marked it for new vehicles in 2012.

The year was mainly about service changes and reductions in services. The biggest ones were the Northumbria revision in September and a further County Durham network revision in October. Teesside and Cleveland managed to avoid major changes, with just the renumbering of the Whitby-Middlesbrough services (the X5 back to the 5 and all full 93 journeys to X93).

In terms of the X93, Summer 2012 saw a first in Arriva days - double decker operation on the service with the transfer of 4 Enviro400s from Ashington. Although the vehicle type could have been better, no doubt it was a great move and hopefully one to be repeated in 2013.

Despite it being United's Centenary, Arriva saw fit to close what was one of the last 2 original United depots in the operation - Durham's Jackson Street depot - in December, with operations moving to Belmont depot. This now leaves Jesmond as the oldest depot (and only pre-deregulation United depot) with Arriva and Blyth as the only other ex-United depot.

In terms of United's Centenary, Arriva celebrated it by decking out the two 'Viva Durham' Volvo B7TLs in special liveries - 7446 in the 1950s United livery, while 7445 was decked in a 'zip' vinyl showing Arriva livery zipping away to reveal the 1950s United livery. Initially based at Jesmond, they are now 'home' at Darlington, showing off. Hopefully they will remain in this condition for a few more months before returning to Arriva livery.

The other big story of 2012 was the start of 'The Best One' X1, the fast service between Darlington, Shildon, Bishop Auckland and Crook in response to Go North East starting the OK1. Using the first 4 Pulsars new to ANE, the service has seeming won the first battle as it now has the Crook-Bishop Auckland bit all to itself during the main daytime alongside the older 1/1b service.

The major news was the beginning of the end for the MPDs and Prestiges. In addition, a further Temsa bit the dust in November when 4704 was involved in a smash on the A66 on an X4. Over a year after its complete destruction by fire, 4708 remains on the books and at Jesmond depot. The future of 4714, damaged by fire in March, is still unknown after it moved to Jesmond in November while 4719 is off with damage.

October saw the end of the era - the last Prisma, 3007, was finally withdrawn after a brake failure. The last ex-Stagecoach Darts also started to fall in November with 1673 withdrawn, leaving just 1675 which remains in service into the first days of 2013.

December also saw the first of a new type arrive with North East - the first 4 of 8 Alexander ALX300-bodied DAF SB220s from Yorkshire as short-term replacements for the oldest Prestiges and the withdrawn Temsas at Redcar.

A look aheed to 2013

January 2013 should kick straight off with the arrival of the Green Bus Funded vehicles - the 11 MAN EcoCitys (Canteno-bodied 18.250) for Darlington's services 2/11/12/a and the 10 Volvo B5LHs for Blyth Service 308. Furhter Pulsar deliveries are also due during the year, with some rumoured for service 7 between Darlington and Durham. These should see the end of the Prestiges.

2013 is also kicking off with some service changes on Teesside which sees the end of the 71 to Flatts Lane.