Arriva Midlands

[joieman]

On the 127 on Tuesday a team of high vis clipboard wielders got on at the Shelthorpe stop, counted the passengers, and got off again. The same thing happened in the opposite direction too. With the service now down to a 20 minute frequency i hope this doesn't indicate more cutbacks.

They were also doing this on Hinckley Road in the city on Thursday as well, one boarded the 148 Stagecoach service I was on. Must have been about 10-15 hi Viz wielding people hanging about the bus stop as well.

This question just occurred to me - are they from the bus companies or from the local authorities?

 

[Qwerty133]

Another decker has transferred away from Leicester despite an ongoing shortage of such vehicles seeing regular substitutions with smaller vehicles and a continued reliance on 4760 and 4761 which were due for withdrawal several months ago. This combined with the transfer of 7101 at the start of summer which has seen daily substitutions of normal buses on the X6 cannot be doing anything for Arriva’s reputation in the area and makes the millions spent on new buses rather pointless when it continues to be pot luck as to whether you’ll be able to board the bus on some routes.
I suppose it could be worse like the situation in derby where Arriva and Wellglade have fallen out and are both now operating in competition with both parties using their own flavour of borderline life-expired vehicles.

 

[joieman]

4201 is tracking on Bustimes on the 127, but I think it's actually an Enviro400.

Also, both Pulsar Geminis 4760 and 4761 are on the 127.
Most bizarrely of all, on BusTimes Optare Solo 2501 is tracking on the X6!

 

[Penfold@658]

4425 (ex 5468) SN15 LPY now at Thurmaston

This Came from Aylesbury

 

[Andy Pacer]

Most bizarrely of all, on BusTimes Optare Solo 2501 is tracking on the X6!

Get used to it, the 1710 from Leicester to Hinckley & Three Pots is booked a small bus which takes the pressure off the busy Coventry coach.

 

[joieman]

Well, I have ridden the X6 today and this is my review of the service:
Outbound from Leicester, I rode in a Pulsar 2. Not really surprising, although one of the Temsa coaches parked in St. Margaret's bus station shortly before the other bus started boarding. However the bus I rode on, 3799, seems to have been reupholstered at some point.
On the way back, I rode on Temsa 7103, which was running quite late and left Pool Meadow bus station over twenty minutes late. After leaving Fosse Park, however, we got stuck in traffic due to an apparent van fire up ahead on the Narborough Road South, and were held up for so very long that the next X6 (which unlike my X6, ran through Hinckley) wound up overtaking us by using the side road instead of the main road. Thankfully, we eventually got through, but arrived in Leicester nearly 100 minutes late!
I must add that I rather like the moquette, but the seatbelts are the stiffest I've ever used, and the thing the seatbelt clicks in to digs into the side of one's leg.

 

[SSmith2009]

Outbound from Leicester, I rode in a Pulsar 2. Not really surprising, although one of the Temsa coaches parked in St. Margaret's bus station shortly before the other bus started boarding. However the bus I rode on, 3799, seems to have been reupholstered at some point.

Afaik 3799 was reupholstered when it was repainted out of Sapphire

 

[joieman]

Why is 4751 tracking on the 104 on BusTimes?

Why is 4751 tracking on the 104 on BusTimes?

Edit: to answer my own question:
4751 was tracking on the 6 today, but it turned out to be 4551 instead.

 

[Trainman40083]

Arriva Derby Scania Omnilink 3505 was the bus tracking as SP DC today on route 2. Surprised only one bus was tracking as that. The other day, there was three different buses tracking.

How come some Arriva Derby services don't serve the bus station, but a street about 1/2 mile away?

Some years ago, when competition was from York bus, several bus services were removed from Derby bus station.. (said to make it safer, as too many buses were trying to use it). Seem to recall some services were removed from each operator. The Arriva 4 was certainly one of them.

 

[Andy Pacer]

Arriva Derby Scania Omnilink 3505 was the bus tracking as SP DC today on route 2. Surprised only one bus was tracking as that. The other day, there was three different buses tracking.


Some years ago, when competition was from York bus, several bus services were removed from Derby bus station.. (said to make it safer, as too many buses were trying to use it). Seem to recall some services were removed from each operator. The Arriva 4 was certainly one of them.

Assume you mean Your Bus, so would this have been 2017 ish?
The 4 was removed from the bus station due to the route being changed so it didn't go anywhere near that side of the city (the section from the Bus Station to Alvaston was removed, so buses only operate the Alvaston to Babington Lane section, the Bus Station end being served by the F1 at the time).

 

[Simon75]

Where are the Nottingham University buses based ?

 

[43055]

Where are the Nottingham University buses based ?

At the Derby depot on Ascot Drive

 

[joieman]

Another likely tracking error: 4401 appears to be tracking as former 4101 instead.

I also spotted 4425 parked in a layby on the A6 northbound north of the Broadnook roundabout.

 

[busspotter1]

Does anybody know when UON contract is due to 'expire'? I have heard rumours that it is soon and if not renewed, we can finally get some new-ish buses for Derby!

 

[Trainman40083]

Does anybody know when UON contract is due to 'expire'? I have heard rumours that it is soon and if not renewed, we can finally get some new-ish buses for Derby!

I just thought it had been extended. Newish buses for Derby? I guess there are minibuses. My picture of two on Ascot Drive, Uni hopper 1003 to the left..

 

[busspotter1]

I just thought it had been extended. Newish buses for Derby? I guess there are minibuses. My picture of two on Ascot Drive, Uni hopper 1003 to the left..

Believe the one on the right is a staff bus.

It's interesting to see that the only way to see investment in fleets is when there is competition / public funding.
I remember that Arriva Derby introduced the "fast 1" service (F1) when there was competition from Yourbus, with these buses having better specs. Then, investment in USB charging points on the Geminis. Some Omnicities were also upgraded with leather seats since Yourbus also competed on the Oakwood/Chaddesden routes. Also, cheaper tickets were introduced. Shortly after Yourbus went under, the F1 service disappeared, tickets increased in price, and customer service went back down to 0.

I believe Derby Council contributed massively for the introduction of the Streetlites. Then, Arriva Leicester got electric buses from ZEBRA 2 funding. But since the operating costs for electric buses are much lower, that means the profits for Arriva Midlands must have massively increased in recently. And it seems absolutely nothing is going back to the taxpayer since I don't believe any public company is a shareholder. So all the profits are being siphoned-off to some private equity company in the US rather than re-investment back into the infrastructure / fleet. Absolute shambles of a system.

 

[Mwanesh]

Believe the one on the right is a staff bus.

It's interesting to see that the only way to see investment in fleets is when there is competition / public funding.
I remember that Arriva Derby introduced the "fast 1" service (F1) when there was competition from Yourbus, with these buses having better specs. Then, investment in USB charging points on the Geminis. Some Omnicities were also upgraded with leather seats since Yourbus also competed on the Oakwood/Chaddesden routes. Also, cheaper tickets were introduced. Shortly after Yourbus went under, the F1 service disappeared, tickets increased in price, and customer service went back down to 0.

I believe Derby Council contributed massively for the introduction of the Streetlites. Then, Arriva Leicester got electric buses from ZEBRA 2 funding. But since the operating costs for electric buses are much lower, that means the profits for Arriva Midlands must have massively increased in recently. And it seems absolutely nothing is going back to the taxpayer since I don't believe any public company is a shareholder. So all the profits are being siphoned-off to some private equity company in the US rather than re-investment back into the infrastructure / fleet. Absolute shambles of a system.

Zebra funding does not pay the full cost .Some of the cost is paid by the bus company.Look at the Zebra funding and the cost of a new electric bus.

 

[joieman]

I just thought it had been extended. Newish buses for Derby? I guess there are minibuses. My picture of two on Ascot Drive, Uni hopper 1003 to the left..

The one on the left was there for a while, although somehow has vanished off Bustimes without a trace a while back.

Zebra funding does not pay the full cost .Some of the cost is paid by the bus company.Look at the Zebra funding and the cost of a new electric bus.

Even so, it provides the stimulus that would drive otherwise reluctant companies to invest in their services.

4400 broke down on the 127 today in Birstall.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Believe the one on the right is a staff bus.

It's interesting to see that the only way to see investment in fleets is when there is competition / public funding.
I remember that Arriva Derby introduced the "fast 1" service (F1) when there was competition from Yourbus, with these buses having better specs. Then, investment in USB charging points on the Geminis. Some Omnicities were also upgraded with leather seats since Yourbus also competed on the Oakwood/Chaddesden routes. Also, cheaper tickets were introduced. Shortly after Yourbus went under, the F1 service disappeared, tickets increased in price, and customer service went back down to 0.

I believe Derby Council contributed massively for the introduction of the Streetlites. Then, Arriva Leicester got electric buses from ZEBRA 2 funding. But since the operating costs for electric buses are much lower, that means the profits for Arriva Midlands must have massively increased in recently. And it seems absolutely nothing is going back to the taxpayer since I don't believe any public company is a shareholder. So all the profits are being siphoned-off to some private equity company in the US rather than re-investment back into the infrastructure / fleet. Absolute shambles of a system.

Oh dear...

Arriva received funding from ZEBRA but still had to invest about £11m of their money. Basically, the government fund part of the significant cost difference between a conventional diesel and an electric vehicle. As @joieman states, it helps to overcome the massive upfront cost of purchase.

I'd be interested to see any evidence that Arriva received public funding for the Streetlites.

 

[Robertj21a]

Believe the one on the right is a staff bus.

It's interesting to see that the only way to see investment in fleets is when there is competition / public funding.
I remember that Arriva Derby introduced the "fast 1" service (F1) when there was competition from Yourbus, with these buses having better specs. Then, investment in USB charging points on the Geminis. Some Omnicities were also upgraded with leather seats since Yourbus also competed on the Oakwood/Chaddesden routes. Also, cheaper tickets were introduced. Shortly after Yourbus went under, the F1 service disappeared, tickets increased in price, and customer service went back down to 0.

I believe Derby Council contributed massively for the introduction of the Streetlites. Then, Arriva Leicester got electric buses from ZEBRA 2 funding. But since the operating costs for electric buses are much lower, that means the profits for Arriva Midlands must have massively increased in recently. And it seems absolutely nothing is going back to the taxpayer since I don't believe any public company is a shareholder. So all the profits are being siphoned-off to some private equity company in the US rather than re-investment back into the infrastructure / fleet. Absolute shambles of a system.

This seems to be rather dubious on some 'facts' and more an anti-Arriva rant.
Do you have evidence to support the council contributing for the Streetlites ?
As for the electrics in Leicester, I doubt the 24 in service will yet be making savings, particularly when the high costs of electrical installations are taken into account.

 

[Trainman40083]

Believe the one on the right is a staff bus.

It's interesting to see that the only way to see investment in fleets is when there is competition / public funding.
I remember that Arriva Derby introduced the "fast 1" service (F1) when there was competition from Yourbus, with these buses having better specs. Then, investment in USB charging points on the Geminis. Some Omnicities were also upgraded with leather seats since Yourbus also competed on the Oakwood/Chaddesden routes. Also, cheaper tickets were introduced. Shortly after Yourbus went under, the F1 service disappeared, tickets increased in price, and customer service went back down to 0.

I believe Derby Council contributed massively for the introduction of the Streetlites. Then, Arriva Leicester got electric buses from ZEBRA 2 funding. But since the operating costs for electric buses are much lower, that means the profits for Arriva Midlands must have massively increased in recently. And it seems absolutely nothing is going back to the taxpayer since I don't believe any public company is a shareholder. So all the profits are being siphoned-off to some private equity company in the US rather than re-investment back into the infrastructure / fleet. Absolute shambles of a system.

I seriously doubt the City Council gave any money to buy Streetlites. Was it this batch that came without warranty

The one on the left was there for a while, although somehow has vanished off Bustimes without a trace a while back.


Even so, it provides the stimulus that would drive otherwise reluctant companies to invest in their services.

4400 broke down on the 127 today in Birstall.

I don't think two of the four Mercs does much at all. One, probably 1001 was under maintenance. Maybe one is a crew changeover bus for the Hopper Nottingham Uni drivers. Maybe the mini on the 901 always tracks as 1001, no matter what bus is used

 

[Andy Pacer]

I seriously doubt the City Council gave any money to buy Streetlites. Was it this batch that came without warranty


I don't think two of the four Mercs does much at all. One, probably 1001 was under maintenance. Maybe one is a crew changeover bus for the Hopper Nottingham Uni drivers. Maybe the mini on the 901 always tracks as 1001, no matter what bus is used

It's the 902 that usually uses the Sprinter. It is notable that on the odd occasion it's not "1001" then it's a decker.

 

[Trainman40083]

It's the 902 that usually uses the Sprinter. It is notable that on the odd occasion it's not "1001" then it's a decker.

I thought it went under a low bridge somewhere near the Jubilee campus.

 

[Andy Pacer]

I thought it went under a low bridge somewhere near the Jubilee campus.

There's a low canopy at the entrance to the building, when a double decker is used it avoids this.

 

[Trainman40083]

There's a low canopy at the entrance to the building, when a double decker is used it avoids this.

Thanks..Been a very long time since I was there

 

[43055]

Reported on the Derby bus depot news page that Pulsar 3729 YJ57 BPZ has arrived at Derby from Milton Keynes. Presumably the first one to replace a Scania.

 

[Trainman40083]

Reported on the Derby bus depot news page that Pulsar 3729 YJ57 BPZ has arrived at Derby from Milton Keynes. Presumably the first one to replace a Scania.

Strange though, it seems far older than others that have arrived. Is that the best Milton Keynes has?

 

[bringiton]

Reported on the Derby bus depot news page that Pulsar 3729 YJ57 BPZ has arrived at Derby from Milton Keynes. Presumably the first one to replace a Scania.

Been here quite a while, I managed to get it on the 11th of September on the 22. Tracking was on sp dc although I think that's changed now (not onto the correct machine however). I seem to recall this having an mot sticker in the cab (saying the date the next ones due), no doubt to make it easier during all the transfers that's going to happen.

 

[Trainman40083]

Been here quite a while, I managed to get it on the 11th of September on the 22. Tracking was on sp dc although I think that's changed now (not onto the correct machine however). I seem to recall this having an mot sticker in the cab (saying the date the next ones due), no doubt to make it easier during all the transfers that's going to happen.

I wonder what two buses are tracking bad SP DC at the moment. One on the 4 is likely to be Scania 3505, but another is showing in Uni 902.

 

[bringiton]

I wonder what two buses are tracking bad SP DC at the moment. One on the 4 is likely to be Scania 3505, but another is showing in Uni 902.

The one tracking on 902 is no doubt 1001. I saw an omnicity tracking on SP DC the other week too however that seems to have started tracking on its actual machine now. 4403 is also duo tracking on 1B/C and 2/A