Arriva Midlands

[joieman]

In Leicester buses are green as part of a Leicester city livery, also used by First and CentreBus there. But yes, green is a good colour to promote environmentally-friendly electric buses.

Unfortunately I foresee painting all the buses green to be an inconvenience to visitors from outside the city who are unfamiliar with the bus network and have saver tickets that can only be used on one operator, meaning that the near-identical liveries can cause confusion over which operator runs which service. Add to that the fact that route-specific branding has all but disappeared from bus services in Leicester, save for the park and ride, the Orbital 40, the Hospital Hopper and the Hop.
When most buses are electric, parading the buses' environmentally-friendly credentials will start to appear stale.

 

[zakky1.0]

Very interesting changes at Derby garage announced today, with Arriva now running 4 vehicles on X38s every 20 mins… seemingly ruining the interworking relationship with Trentbarton…

 

[Trainman40083]

Very interesting changes at Derby garage announced today, with Arriva now running 4 vehicles on X38s every 20 mins… seemingly ruining the interworking relationship with Trentbarton…

And the X38 goes from the bus station, improving connectivity. Interesting they are changing it to every 20 minutes..At one time, they wanted to put double deckers on it.

 

[zakky1.0]

And the X38 goes from the bus station,

I’m glad this change is happening, although I do hope they’ll continue to serve Victoria street.

Interesting they are changing it to every 20 minutes…

Well, from drivers I’ve spoken to management have wanted sole runnings of X38s for years, it’s a pretty high-profit route… Arrivas runs always seemed way busier than Trent’s anyway.

At one time, they wanted to put double deckers on it.

4544 is regularly on the Sunday shift, due to Trent dropping the entire day so many times (when the shortage was bad).

 

[bringiton]

4544 is regularly on the Sunday shift, due to Trent dropping the entire day so many times (when the shortage was bad).

If they dont get the uni contract renewed then they might put e400mmc's on it full time relieving some pulsars for spares when the scanias get replaced.

Very interesting changes at Derby garage announced today, with Arriva now running 4 vehicles on X38s every 20 mins… seemingly ruining the interworking relationship with Trentbarton

Its good to see they are serving new estates. I'd assume with the size of new estates nowadays id assume it'll be streetlites put on the route especially with them getting the additional 2 from the 5/5a

 

[Trainman40083]

I’m glad this change is happening, although I do hope they’ll continue to serve Victoria street.


Well, from drivers I’ve spoken to management have wanted sole runnings of X38s for years, it’s a pretty high-profit route… Arrivas runs always seemed way busier than Trent’s anyway.

4544 is regularly on the Sunday shift, due to Trent dropping the entire day so many times (when the shortage was bad).

Before the £2 fare, I seem to recall Arriva were cheaper on the X38 to Burton.... certainly with a day ticket.

 

[zakky1.0]

If they dont get the uni contract renewed then they might put e400mmc's on it full time relieving some pulsars for spares when the scanias get replaced.

The university contract was renewed for Arriva? Unless I was told wrong…

e400mmc's on it full time relieving some pulsars for spares when the scanias get replaced.

Weirder things have happened but I don’t see this happening, 4 VDLs would be more than enough…

 

[Trainman40083]

If they dont get the uni contract renewed then they might put e400mmc's on it full time relieving some pulsars for spares when the scanias get replaced.


Its good to see they are serving new estates. I'd assume with the size of new estates nowadays id assume it'll be streetlites put on the route especially with them getting the additional 2 from the 5/5a

I can't recall when the Nottingham Uni contract expires, but I did wonder if it might be end of August

Anyone else noticed this Arriva decker parked in the yard at Remit Training (Wincanton Close, near Harpurs)? Picture taken from the road

 

[bringiton]

The university contract was renewed for Arriva? Unless I was told wrong…

Ah I didn't realise

 

[43055]

Very interesting changes at Derby garage announced today, with Arriva now running 4 vehicles on X38s every 20 mins… seemingly ruining the interworking relationship with Trentbarton…

I wonder what trentbarton will come back with. Could we see them going every 20 mins as well or pulling out?

 

[bringiton]

I wonder what trentbarton will come back with. Could we see them going every 20 mins as well or pulling out?

I doubt they would increase to have it every 10 minutes? However with them operating the night part of the service it might come to an end since most of arriva's routes tend to finish operating before midnight

 

[Trainman40083]

I wonder what trentbarton will come back with. Could we see them going every 20 mins as well or pulling out?

It reminds me of when Trentbarton were pushed out of the Pronto route. Stagecoach wanted to upgrade. Trentbarton stuck with elderly Scanias.

 

[bringiton]

It reminds me of when Trentbarton were pushed out of the Pronto route. Stagecoach wanted to upgrade. Trentbarton stuck with elderly Scanias.

Pronto was a duo operated route?

 

[SSmith2009]

I can't recall when the Nottingham Uni contract expires, but I did wonder if it might be end of August

Anyone else noticed this Arriva decker parked in the yard at Remit Training (Wincanton Close, near Harpurs)? Picture taken from the road

it's Arrivas former Thurmaston based 4764 (FJ06 ZSN)

 

[Trainman40083]

it's Arrivas former Thurmaston based 4764 (FJ06 ZSN)

Thanks for that. I felt sure it was a Leicester one

Pronto was a duo operated route?

Yes, Trentbarton ran four Scanias, 609 to 612, whilst Stagecoach at Mansfield ran double deckers towards the end .I recall it was a route you could not use your Mango card on, despite Trentbarton buses working it.

 

[bringiton]

Yes, Trentbarton ran four Scanias, 609 to 612, whilst Stagecoach at Mansfield ran double deckers towards the end .I recall it was a route you could not use your Mango card on, despite Trentbarton buses working it.

Ah right. I recall seeing the other day a trentbarton spare having something about mango/zigzag not being usable on pronto.
Will be a shame if this is Arriva outsing Trent from operating x38. I always thought the companies got on well (like when Arriva allowed Trent to use their depot to refuel when Meadow Road was flooded). However, I really don't think Trent will do anything in retaliation since I couldn't see them wanting to cause competition on routes.

 

[derbybusdepot]

Ah right. I recall seeing the other day a trentbarton spare having something about mango/zigzag not being usable on pronto.
Will be a shame if this is Arriva outsing Trent from operating x38. I always thought the companies got on well (like when Arriva allowed Trent to use their depot to refuel when Meadow Road was flooded). However, I really don't think Trent will do anything in retaliation since I couldn't see them wanting to cause competition on routes.

The night buses on x38 have been very busy at times, so can't see Trent giving them up.

Maybe Trent will do every 30 min with 3 buses, and route them via Stretton to match the late evening buses.

 

[bringiton]

The night buses on x38 have been very busy at times, so can't see Trent giving them up.

Yeah well it's the only service in and out of burton that trent do after midnight so i couldnt see passengers being happy if they lost that part of the route

 

[joieman]

ADL Enviro200MMC 3129 (YX17 NND) has transferred from Luton to Hinckley, replacing Optare Solo SR 2519 (YJ09 MLZ).
MMC 3120 seems to have moved from Hinckley to Thurmaston, as it's tracking on the Leicester 6/6A.

 

[Andy Pacer]

ADL Enviro200MMC 3129 (YX17 NND) has transferred from Luton to Hinckley, replacing Optare Solo SR 2519 (YJ09 MLZ).
MMC 3120 seems to have moved from Hinckley to Thurmaston, as it's tracking on the Leicester 6/6A.

2519 had already left in an unconnected change.
3129 hasn't transferred, it is on loan for the summer as we need an extra bus at Hinckley for the Twycross Zoo services.
And finally, 3120 is at Thurmaston for maintenance, 3106 is at Hinckley in its place.

 

[Qwerty133]

In an excellent example of modifying the timetable to prevent getting in trouble regularly leaving people behind during peak hours on the X6 (Leicester to Coventry) arriva are removing the 08:00 journey towards Coventry and retiming the 18:00 journey towards Leicester to 18:15 to ensure that nobody will want to use the route to commute.
The previous practice of running sufficient vehicles for the expected level of demand clearly proving to be too difficult and instead opting for the force people to use alternative modes of transport route of reducing overcrowding.
Other changes in Leicester from the end of August see journey times that can already be excessive some days of the week extended even further ensuring that it is possible for vehicles limited to 5MPH due to being ready for the scrap heap are able to keep to time.

 

[Foxhound87]

In an excellent example of modifying the timetable to prevent getting in trouble regularly leaving people behind during peak hours on the X6 (Leicester to Coventry) arriva are removing the 08:00 journey towards Coventry and retiming the 18:00 journey towards Leicester to 18:15 to ensure that nobody will want to use the route to commute.

Do you mean the 0750 journey towards Coventry, which arrives 0935 so probably isn’t used by commuters? Noting also that there is an 0825 arrival in Coventry which seems a more practical time for workers and uni students starting at 0900.

Other changes in Leicester from the end of August see journey times that can already be excessive some days of the week extended even further ensuring that it is possible for vehicles limited to 5MPH due to being ready for the scrap heap are able to keep to time.

Which trips on which routes have excessive journey times? Appreciate the Electroliners might not be your cup of tea, but they seem pretty nippy and do well over 5mph.

 

[SSmith2009]

In an excellent example of modifying the timetable to prevent getting in trouble regularly leaving people behind during peak hours on the X6 (Leicester to Coventry) arriva are removing the 08:00 journey towards Coventry and retiming the 18:00 journey towards Leicester to 18:15 to ensure that nobody will want to use the route to commute.
The previous practice of running sufficient vehicles for the expected level of demand clearly proving to be too difficult and instead opting for the force people to use alternative modes of transport route of reducing overcrowding.
Other changes in Leicester from the end of August see journey times that can already be excessive some days of the week extended even further ensuring that it is possible for vehicles limited to 5MPH due to being ready for the scrap heap are able to keep to time.

Noticed the same with the 50/51 they are cutting out some the busier journeys at peak times calling it "changes to the timetable to improve timekeeping". I think not...

also of note with the new 50/51 timetable all journeys are numbered 51

 

[Mikw]

Noticed the same with the 50/51 they are cutting out some the busier journeys at peak times calling it "changes to the timetable to improve timekeeping". I think not...

also of note with the new 50/51 timetable all journeys are numbered 51

Where do you find information on the changes?

 

[SSmith2009]

Where do you find information on the changes?

The changes are listed on the arriva website under latest news

 

[swinny1990]

Is the X38 gonna no longer have trent involved just Arriva from the 31st August?

 

[zakky1.0]

Is the X38 gonna no longer have trent involved just Arriva from the 31st August?

Nobody knows, Trent management have said to drivers ‘no changes will happen with our side of X38’

But then again they could change & withdrawn.. just a waiting game.

 

[bringiton]

Nobody knows, Trent management have said to drivers ‘no changes will happen with our side of X38’

I'd assume arrivas timetable will change then since if trent are staying the same the stops will get two x38s at the same time at certain times? Thus also causing it to be a competitive route

 

[zakky1.0]

Omnilink 3505 is now at Derby, was last in use with Luton.

 

[Trainman40083]

Omnilink 3505 is now at Derby, was last in use with Luton.

A friend on route 4 in Derby will be so disappointed...He tries to avoid the current pair.