Arriva Buses (including Greenline)

[Snex]

There's too many to remember off the top of my head - these are all of the ones I've seen so far (I can't really quote a source, but the info is from councillors and other forums)

5A - withdrawn
6 - Withdrawn between Cockfield and West Auckland outside of peak times - morning journey to Barnard Castle withdrawn. Service is also reduced in frequency.
8/8A - withdrawn on Sunday - some journeys will only operate on non school days so the bus can operate school services
22/23 - reduced to hourly each between Sunderland and Peterlee - some journeys will only operate on non college days so the bus can operate East Durham College services. Some evening journeys withdrawn.
43, 48, 49 - evening journeys removed. 48 is also fully withdrawn on a Sunday.
56 - reduced to hourly daytime and evening/Sunday services withdrawn.
X1 (Darlington-Tow Law) - withdrawn - but some journeys to Crook/Tow Law are replaced by service 1.
X21 (Darlington-Peterlee) - withdrawn
X22 - will operate between Stockton and Peterlee only outside of peak times.

I'm not as familiar with the changes outside of County Durham - but don't believe the changes are as significant.

Must be noted that there's talk that County Durham Council and Teesside are cutting the concessionary payments for bus passes from July which is causing some of this.

 

[Soundwave]

Must be noted that there's talk that the County Durham Council and Teesside are cutting the concessionary payments for bus passes from July which is causing some of this.

Precisely this. If they cut funding for ENCTS, then they can't expect the same level of service.

 

[Llandudno]

Don't you mean Wrexham - Brymbo, i don't think Bromborough has ever had a route to Wrexham

The 13 feels like one of those routes Arriva run for the sake of it, frequency is what now every 50 minutes, might as well go to hourly

The 1 Bws day ticket is now better value than the Arriva Wales day ticket, both are the same price but more companies accept the 1 Bws day ticket.

Arriva's website is that awful it must be sponsored by MI5, worst bus operator site on the net.

Yep, Brymbo for some reason predictive text spelt Bromborough - bizzare!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 May 2023 ==

I can understand the 22/23 changes. As I reported on the trips thread not long ago the 22 and 23 depart Peterlee for Durham at almost exactly the same time each half hour and then run in parallel with a Go North East 61 as well between Dalton Park and Sunderland. Almost looks like they are deliberately making it fail.

So there will be no bus between Darlington / Newton Aycliffe and Sedgefield?
Big drop for Cockfield to Bishop Auckland. Outside peak journeys only the Weardale 85 every 2 hours. Not surprised about the 6 journey from Barnard Castle - I looked carefully but there only appeared to be two passengers on it leaving Barnard Castle in the morning - although of course more may have boarded at Staindrop.

The 13 has been every 35 minutes and every 40 minutes in the past. Goodness knows how potential passengers cam possibly remember it! having said that when I used it (once Deganwy to Colwyn Bay, once Rhuddlan to Abergele, both pre-Covid) it did seem to have reasonable loads.

I'll have to accept what has been said on social media about the 12, afraid I'm too old for all that. Why not put it on the website! MI5 seem quite open about some of their activities these days...

The 13 loads extremely well aided by the fact that the 5D has been cut to hourly on weekdays and Sunday services have been withdrawn.

I agree that the 13 would probably be better clockface hourly 7 days a week 0630-2230 and perhaps a short working on the opposite half hour between Llandudno and Llysfaen during the daytime

 

[Typhoon]

Changes to some Maidstone area routes from July. Withdrawal of some minor town routes, but more headline news is the complete withdrawal of the 334 between Sheppy and Maidstone.

Summary from Arriva below. Possibly the least professional service change announcement I've ever seen!

Latest News - Arriva UK Bus

www.arrivabus.co.uk

Thanks!

It certainly looks like it has been rushed out, The northern end of the 334 will probably go Chalkwell's way (probably hourly, as now - Chalkwell have already reduced the frequency of some routes on the island), the southern end may just be left to Stagecoach's X3 (when a little while ago, it was 4 buses an hour).

It looks like Sandhurst will just be left with the 349.

There are some parents who are going to be to spending their next few months working out how to get their kids to school.

 

[RELL6L]

The X1 is a hangover from when Go North East had the temerity to compete with Arriva so that is the one cut that really makes sense.

That the 22/23 has been so poorly planned is simply unbelievable (except it's Arriva) so it's now just going to hourly...until such time as they exit Sunderland completely.

As for axing the run to Cockfield, it shows how much Arriva has managed to damage what was OK's main route (other than the 724).

I had money on the 57A to Hartlepool biting the dust too

Knowing Arriva they will keep 1x22 per hour and 1x23 per hour between Sunderland and Peterlee but they won't be close to a combined 30 minute interval - as was the case during the pandemic.
Hasn't the 57A already gone - its the 58 now (not much different) - isn't this supported?

Changes to some Maidstone area routes from July. Withdrawal of some minor town routes, but more headline news is the complete withdrawal of the 334 between Sheppy and Maidstone.

Summary from Arriva below. Possibly the least professional service change announcement I've ever seen!

Latest News - Arriva UK Bus

www.arrivabus.co.uk

These are poor too. Arriva will be out of Sittingbourne altogether after these changes (as well as Sheppey). No 5 to Sandhurst due to 'risk' decision! And, as you say, appallingly written. Services in Kent have been very badly hit over the last couple of years.

 

[alex397]

These are poor too. Arriva will be out of Sittingbourne altogether after these changes (as well as Sheppey). No 5 to Sandhurst due to 'risk' decision! And, as you say, appallingly written. Services in Kent have been very badly hit over the last couple of years.

The ‘risk’ excuse is pretty poor for pulling out of Headcorn Station too, particularly as it won’t be all journeys either!

I’ve used Headcorn a few times to reach Tenterden. On a cold wet winters day, it was good to wait at the station, rather than an unsheltered stop along the busy main road. Just another reason for people travelling to Tenterden to get a lift/taxi/their own car.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Hasn't the 57A already gone - its the 58 now (not much different) - isn't this supported?

I missed that - I only travelled on it a few months ago!

As for the Kent changes, the exit from the 334 was the logical conclusion from the Sheerness closure. When I travelled on it in mid 2021 (when they were competing with Stagecoach), it was operated by the tattiest e200 (internally) that I could have imagined, whilst other boards were operated by ancient ALXs. Wonder if Stagecoach will go back to extending the 3 to Maidstone to recreate the half hourly headway?

 

[duncombec]

It certainly looks like it has been rushed out,

And, as you say, appallingly written. Services in Kent have been very badly hit over the last couple of years.

Unfortunately, notices of that sort are fairly regular for Southern Counties changes as I've commented here in the past, most recently the Ware changes that were nowhere near Ware. It is a poor reflection on the company that they don't even check for basic capitalization and tense errors, let alone how it reads to the public. ("Sunday reduces 20 to 30" - 20 to 30 whats?)

The northern end of the 334 will probably go Chalkwell's way (probably hourly, as now - Chalkwell have already reduced the frequency of some routes on the island),

Assuming they can find drivers, which I believe was part of the reason for the reduction in services. Past service reductions and relatively high fares also won't have helped (the £2 offer came in after the reductions, IIRC). Kent County Council (KCC) are also struggling with increased costs for subsidized services, hence why now no Sunday buses on the Isle of Sheppey.

the southern end may just be left to Stagecoach's X3 (when a little while ago, it was 4 buses an hour).

As for the Kent changes, the exit from the 334 was the logical conclusion from the Sheerness closure. When I travelled on it in mid 2021 (when they were competing with Stagecoach), it was operated by the tattiest e200 (internally) that I could have imagined, whilst other boards were operated by ancient ALXs. Wonder if Stagecoach will go back to extending the 3 to Maidstone to recreate the half hourly headway?

Although don't forget, the 4 buses an hour was during a competitive incursion, and not really sustainable from a passenger or driver number perspective. In a way, hourly was the "traditional" frequency on the route when it was just the 333 between Maidstone and Sittingbourne. I think the 334 has always been a route of two halves, with Sheppey - Sittingbourne and Sittingbourne - Maidstone passenger flows, so dividing it probably wouldn't help. If Stagecoach have the drivers and feel it's worth it, I imagine they'd at least want to protect their options.
Arriva in the area have never been that keen on operating a route from more than one depot, even just to provide fringe-of-day services without the vehicle ending up at the wrong end or needing a passenger-less return, the only real exception being the 7 between Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells - hence why the last northbound journey is at 17:20 - thus useless if you work in anything other than retail with a firm 5pm closure time.
(Edit: https://bustimes.org/services/334-b...n/vehicles?date=2023-05-24#journeys/430295751 - this Bustimes track shows the journey then runs back empty to Maidstone to pick up the last three journeys on local service 89! A similar track early in the week shows the 0606 from Sheerness also arrives empty from Maidstone).

It has long been my feeling (albeit based on nothing more than a hunch, and certainly with no evidence or suggestion they ever considered it) that had Covid not happened (or driver shortages had bounced back), that Stagecoach would have an outstation in the Swale area by now.

It looks like Sandhurst will just be left with the 349.

No 5 to Sandhurst due to 'risk' decision!

The ‘risk’ excuse is pretty poor for pulling out of Headcorn Station too, particularly as it won’t be all journeys either!

I’ve used Headcorn a few times to reach Tenterden. On a cold wet winters day, it was good to wait at the station, rather than an unsheltered stop along the busy main road. Just another reason for people travelling to Tenterden to get a lift/taxi/their own car.

The extension to Sandhurst started when Hawkhurst Bus Station was closed, which may be about 20 years ago now, but still relatively recent in comparison to the rest of the route. The turn involves a three-point turn, and I understand local car drivers aren't always willing to act as you might expect with a reversing bus on a relatively tight corner. Hawkhurst Moor is rather better, in that respect.
I'd guess Headcorn Station is down to people using the drop off/pick up bays badly, blocking the bus (or just generally tightening the turning circle). I expect the short workings will still use it to turn, but the Tenterden through journeys will stay on the main road - there's a bus stop at the end of Station Road anyway!

There are some parents who are going to be to spending their next few months working out how to get their kids to school.

There are likely to be many school bus changes yet, and not just in Kent. The rise of working from home had led to a distinct decrease in the number of pupils using the bus as parents can drop them off (and perhaps to a lesser extent, pick them up), and "my little darling only needs the bus two days a week when I go into the office" doesn't keep the service running! The Kent Travel Saver is also being held down in cost next year by BSIP (or BSIP-Plus?) funding alone, otherwise it would have had to rise from £450 to £630/year. The limiting of the price increase to 5% of gross scheme costs was also lifted last week, and will now reflect operator inflation.

(Edit: ) Taking the source from https://www.kentonline.co.uk/kent/n...bus-pass-rates-we-ll-hire-a-private-m-287328/ for easier quoting, but the full PDF report to the Environment and Transport Cabinet Committee is available at https://democracy.kent.gov.uk/documents/s118225/Decision Report.pdf

Since 2015, hikes to the price of the bus pass have been capped at a maximum of 5% of the gross costs of the scheme.

The report adds: “In 2024/25 the cost of the pass would need to increase to reflect operator inflation in 2022/23, 2023/24 and 2024/25. Hence the cap on price is no longer affordable and the new decision reflects this.”

 

[alex397]

Independent operator Chalkwell have confirmed they will take over the 334, but only between Sheerness and Sittingbourne. I had a feeling this would be the most likely outcome.

From their Twitter account:

https://twitter.com/chalkwellcoach/status/1662048423216906240?s=46&t=4BC88uUdHgAeQIc7BT1Vmw

We are very pleased to announce that we will be running the 334 bus service from 24 July between Sittingbourne and Sheerness. The Stagecoach 3X will continue to run between Sittingbourne and Maidstone.
More details to come over the next few weeks

I'd guess Headcorn Station is down to people using the drop off/pick up bays badly, blocking the bus (or just generally tightening the turning circle). I expect the short workings will still use it to turn, but the Tenterden through journeys will stay on the main road - there's a bus stop at the end of Station Road anyway!

If that is the case, then the authorities need to clamp down on car drivers blocking buses. Public transport should take priority.

 

[duncombec]

If that is the case, then the authorities need to clamp down on car drivers blocking buses. Public transport should take priority.

In an ideal world, yes, but we don't live in an ideal world!

This Google Streetview link (https://www.google.com/maps/@51.165..._K7INxjIeHqebFJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) should show a case in point... the 20 minute bays are full, so the car is "pausing" on the double yellow lines: if they are waiting, then they deserve a fine. But is there a second person in the car? If the bays are full and they are puling up to let someone out, who then needs a suitcase from the boot, which doesn't come out cleanly, then they've forgotten something on the back seat, they they need to say goodbye to their other half, who checks they know there they're going.. .all legal because they aren't waiting or parking, but still holds the bus up...

Now add a double-decker bus to the mix, trying to turn. Has to shunt, with parked cars to the rear. Suddenly, that car becomes a problem. With a bus stop quite literally at the top of Station Road anyway (you can almost see it from that link), it does seem to be a little more hassle than it's worth, and certainly faster for through journeys, albeit perhaps marginally more inconvenient for those using Headcorn Station for onward travel. There is always a balancing act.

All before you get to considering how many traffic wardens Maidstone Borough Council has (I don't know), where they are assigned, and whether it would actually be worth having them there to 'catch' people once you balance fines in versus costs out.

(Non-car driver, by the way... just emphasizing things aren't always as easy as we public transport users would like!)

 

[alex397]

In an ideal world, yes, but we don't live in an ideal world!

This Google Streetview link (https://www.google.com/maps/@51.165..._K7INxjIeHqebFJA!2e0!7i16384!8i8192?entry=ttu) should show a case in point... the 20 minute bays are full, so the car is "pausing" on the double yellow lines: if they are waiting, then they deserve a fine. But is there a second person in the car? If the bays are full and they are puling up to let someone out, who then needs a suitcase from the boot, which doesn't come out cleanly, then they've forgotten something on the back seat, they they need to say goodbye to their other half, who checks they know there they're going.. .all legal because they aren't waiting or parking, but still holds the bus up...

Now add a double-decker bus to the mix, trying to turn. Has to shunt, with parked cars to the rear. Suddenly, that car becomes a problem. With a bus stop quite literally at the top of Station Road anyway (you can almost see it from that link), it does seem to be a little more hassle than it's worth, and certainly faster for through journeys, albeit perhaps marginally more inconvenient for those using Headcorn Station for onward travel. There is always a balancing act.

All before you get to considering how many traffic wardens Maidstone Borough Council has (I don't know), where they are assigned, and whether it would actually be worth having them there to 'catch' people once you balance fines in versus costs out.

(Non-car driver, by the way... just emphasizing things aren't always as easy as we public transport users would like!)

I do agree with a lot of your points here. I can understand why Arriva would prefer not to enter the station grounds.

It just seems like another one of those little things to discourage potential users and integrated transport. Ideally the 12 should be promoted more as a rail link, to the communities of Biddenden and Tenterden etc.

Like you say, it is good that there are stops on the main road, a short walk away, but it is a shame they are just simple bus stop poles and nothing else. The Tenterden-bound stop doesn’t even have level boarding as there are no parking restrictions at the bus stop.

In the grand scheme of things though, it’s not hugely important as it isn’t exactly a busy area. Especially as Maidstone, a town which on paper should have decent public transport, have had and will have quite severe cuts. I wonder what it’s bus network would look like if it was a town in Germany (or Maidstein as it might be translated!)
It’s just something which bugged me when I read it. Arriva could have worded it much better too. They could have mentioned problems from cars, or only mentioned about speeding up the service. i suggest mentioning the word ‘risk’ just sounds like management-speak to the average person.

 

[Bedford OB]

Kent County Council puts the Sandhurst change down to "local objections" - i.e. residents, one assumes. "Owing to local objections the service will no longer operate to Sandhurst and will instead terminate at Hawkhurst Moor".

 

[Deerfold]

I do agree with a lot of your points here. I can understand why Arriva would prefer not to enter the station grounds.

It just seems like another one of those little things to discourage potential users and integrated transport. Ideally the 12 should be promoted more as a rail link, to the communities of Biddenden and Tenterden etc.

Like you say, it is good that there are stops on the main road, a short walk away, but it is a shame they are just simple bus stop poles and nothing else. The Tenterden-bound stop doesn’t even have level boarding as there are no parking restrictions at the bus stop.

There shouldn't need to be any further restrictions. It's already against rule 243 of the Highway Code to park at a bus stop.

 

[alex397]

There shouldn't need to be any further restrictions. It's already against rule 243 of the Highway Code to park at a bus stop.

The Highway Code doesn’t seem to mean much to many. If bus stops don’t have markings on the road, or yellow lines, then it seems fair game for cars to park there. There are many bus stops like this, especially in the small towns and rural areas of Kent.

 

[Goldfish62]

There shouldn't need to be any further restrictions. It's already against rule 243 of the Highway Code to park at a bus stop.

But it's only a traffic offence if it's a bus stop clearway.

 

[Statto]

Anyone know when the 13 Prestatyn - Llandudno was introduced? It looks like that is a modern creation, as I have timetables from the mid 90s, & the 13 then was a Evening & Sunday variation of the 12 Rhyl - Llandudno, which had a different route in Penrhyn Bay?


As I said, the 13 could do with going to hourly; at least you'd have a clockface timetable, maybe with extra short Colwyn Bay - Llandudno journeys, with a 30 minute timetable over that section.

 

[317 forever]

Anyone know when the 13 Prestatyn - Llandudno was introduced? It looks like that is a modern creation, as I have timetables from the mid 90s, & the 13 then was a Evening & Sunday variation of the 12 Rhyl - Llandudno, which had a different route in Penrhyn Bay?


As I said, the 13 could do with going to hourly; at least you'd have a clockface timetable, maybe with extra short Colwyn Bay - Llandudno journeys, with a 30 minute timetable over that section.

I don't know when it was introduced, but I did ride it in October 2014.

 

[Llandudno]

Anyone know when the 13 Prestatyn - Llandudno was introduced? It looks like that is a modern creation, as I have timetables from the mid 90s, & the 13 then was a Evening & Sunday variation of the 12 Rhyl - Llandudno, which had a different route in Penrhyn Bay?


As I said, the 13 could do with going to hourly; at least you'd have a clockface timetable, maybe with extra short Colwyn Bay - Llandudno journeys, with a 30 minute timetable over that section.

Yep and the short workings could serve upper Colwyn Bay, thereby removing some of the Colwyn Bay town services and offering upper Colwyn Bay with regular through buses to Llandudno which are where the shops are now, as there are virtually no shops left in Colwyn Bay these days!

 

[northern506]

There's too many to remember off the top of my head - these are all of the ones I've seen so far (I can't really quote a source, but the info is from councillors and other forums)

5A - withdrawn
6 - Withdrawn between Cockfield and West Auckland outside of peak times - morning journey to Barnard Castle withdrawn. Service is also reduced in frequency.
8/8A - withdrawn on Sunday - some journeys will only operate on non school days so the bus can operate school services
22/23 - reduced to hourly each between Sunderland and Peterlee - some journeys will only operate on non college days so the bus can operate East Durham College services. Some evening journeys withdrawn.
43, 48, 49 - evening journeys removed. 48 is also fully withdrawn on a Sunday.
56 - reduced to hourly daytime and evening/Sunday services withdrawn.
X1 (Darlington-Tow Law) - withdrawn - but some journeys to Crook/Tow Law are replaced by service 1.
X21 (Darlington-Peterlee) - withdrawn
X22 - will operate between Stockton and Peterlee only outside of peak times.

I'm not as familiar with the changes outside of County Durham - but don't believe the changes are as significant.

Seems like there are some further changes planned for Darlington, Cleveland and Teesside - all of the changes from the 9th July were posted on VOSA today (link https://bustimes.org/licences/PB0002717)

From what I can gather from the registrations:

12 (Darlington) withdrawn
17 withdrawn between Ingleby Barwick and Eaglescliffe
28 no longer serving Lingdale (but seems to be replaced by the 5)
X3A withdrawn

On a more positive note, it seems the X67 is returning. I assume this will provide a 15 minute frequency between Darlington and Middlesbrough again, combined with the X66.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Seems like there are some further changes planned for Darlington, Cleveland and Teesside - all of the changes from the 9th July were posted on VOSA today (link https://bustimes.org/licences/PB0002717)

From what I can gather from the registrations:

12 (Darlington) withdrawn
17 withdrawn between Ingleby Barwick and Eaglescliffe
28 no longer serving Lingdale (but seems to be replaced by the 5)
X3A withdrawn

On a more positive note, it seems the X67 is returning. I assume this will provide a 15 minute frequency between Darlington and Middlesbrough again, combined with the X66.

This is the press release - copied from the Northern Echo

Service 1 Darlington to Crook & Tow Law
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service X1 will unfortunately be withdrawn in full and replaced by a revised and extended Service 1. During Monday to Saturday daytimes, revised Service 1 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Darlington and Crook (via Bishop Auckland) and once per hour, buses will continue to extend to Tow Law. Service 1 will also operate to a revised route between Shildon and Bishop Auckland, via Tindale Crescent rather than South Church. This does regretably mean that there will be no service on Adelaide Bank and passengers in South Church should continue to access Service 5. Additionally, there will be no service on a section of Byerley Road in Shildon, between Middleton Road and Hippodrome owing to the withdrawal of Service X1. Between Bishop Auckland and Crook all Service 1 journeys will operate to a standard route and will no longer serve High Grange. All journeys will operate via North Bitchburn and Toronto in both directions. Evening journeys are proposed to operate as they currently do until around 9pm, after which, Service 1 journeys will only operate between Crook and Tindale Crescent. Sundays and Bank Holidays will continue to operate hourly between Darlington and Crook, albeit journeys will adopt the revised route between Shildon and Bishop Auckland, via Tindale Crescent.
Service 3 Skerne Park to Darlington
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 3/3A will be revised to operate as Service 3 between Skerne Park and Darlington only, up to every 15 minutes during Mon‐Fri daytimes, and every 30 minutes on Saturdays. There will be no service to Mowden (except for one school journey in each direction on schooldays only). There will also be no service on Hundens Lane, Albert Hill or Whessoe Road/Longfield Road. Additionally evening and Sunday journeys will be regrettably withdrawn.
Service 4 Darlington to Minors Crescent
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, evening and Sunday journeys on Service 4 will be regrettably withdrawn.
Service 5 Darlington to Bishop Auckland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 5/5A is proposed to be merged into one route combination, although maintained at the current 30‐minute frequency during Monday to Saturday daytimes. A wholly revised timetable will be in place. The new Service 5 route will operate as per current Service 5 route between Darlington and Bishop Auckland, but all journeys will serve Greenfield Way in Newton Aycliffe (there will be no journeys via Meadowfield Way). Additionally, this does mean that Service 5/5A will no longer serve Jubilee Estate in Shildon, however revised Service 1 will continue to do so. Service 5 will operate via Dale Rd and Spout Lane on all journeys. Evenings and Sunday journeys will be broadly similar to now albeit with a revised timetable in place, however Sunday evening services between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe would be withdrawn after 7pm due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 6 Durham to Cockfield
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 6 will be revised to operate to a 20‐minute frequency during Monday to Saturday daytimes between Durham and West Auckland. Only some morning and afternoon peak journeys will extend to Cockfield and there will be no service between Cockfield and Barnard Castle. This is due to unsustainable passenger demand. Additionally, afternoon Monday‐Friday peak time journeys will be revised to terminate in Durham City Centre and will no longer serve Framwellgate Moor. This is due to resource availability to provide these extended trips but most importantly owing to the consistent congestion delays encountered at this time and in this area, affecting the existing schedule. A small number of journeys will continue to serve Framwellgate Moor in the morning peak with additional journey time. Monday to Saturday evenings will operate normally, with the last bus from Durham revised to be 22:25 and Bishop Auckland at 20:46, owing to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 7 Durham to Darlington
A revised timetable will be in place, which regrettably means journeys will no longer extend to Framwellgate Moor in morning or the afternoon. This is due to consistent congestion delays encountered at these times and in this area, affecting the existing schedule. However, we’re really excited to announce that we’re increasing the frequency of Service 7 on Sunday and Bank Holidays to be every 30 minutes between Darlington and Durham.
Service 8/8A Darlington to Spennymoor & Ferryhill
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 8/8A timetable will see arevision, with some journeys on Service 8A being revised to operate during school holidays only. Additionally, Sunday Service 8 will also be withdrawn, regrettably due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 9/10 Darlington to Whinbush & Springfield
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Monday to Saturday evening service will be reduced to just one Service 10 per hour (Service 9 would operate final journey around 7pm). Sunday evenings will be withdrawn in full after 8pm. This is due to unsustainable passenger demand
Service 12 Darlington to Hurworth
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 12 will be withdrawn in full from Sunday 9 July.
Service 13A/13B Darlington to Firth Moor
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Monday to Saturday evening service will be reduced to just one journey per hour (alternating between Service 13A and 13B). Sunday evenings will be withdrawn in full after 9pm. This is due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 19 Darlington to Faverdale Ind Estate
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 19 will be revised to only operate between Darlington Centre and Faverdale Industrial Estate and will operate to a revised timetable as a result. Buses will operate a one‐way loop of the Industrial Estate and will continue to serve High Grange as normal. The section between Faverdale and West Park Hospital will be withdrawn due to unsustainable passenger demand. In addition, there will be no Sunday Service 19 from 9 July, owing to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 22/22B Durham to Sunderland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, there will be a revised route and timetable in place on this service, with Service 22 proposed to operate hourly between Peterlee and Sunderland (with all journeys operating via Easington Colliery all day). Buses will continue to operate half hourly between Durham and Peterlee, however journeys terminating in Peterlee will operate as Service 22B and will additionally serve Acre Rigg Rd, Beverley Way and Neville Road in both directions, replacing Service X21/X22 in this area. A revised evening service will also be in operation, with a reduction in total number of journeys, unfortunately again due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 23 Hartlepool to Sunderland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, a revised route and timetable will be in place, with Service 23 revised to operate hourly between Peterlee and Sunderland during Monday to Saturday daytimes. Buses will continue to operate half hourly between Hartlepool and Peterlee, to an unchanged route.
Service 43 Durham to Esh Winning
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, the Saturday frequency of Service 43 will be reduced to every 30 minutes. In addition, evening journeys will be curtailed, with the last bus from Durham City Centre at around 21:25.
Service 48 Durham to New Brancepeth
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Sunday Service 48 will be withdrawn.
Service 49/49A Durham to Brandon
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, a revised Sunday timetable, with hourly Service 49 journeys only will be in operation. There will be no Service 49A journeys on a Sunday and alternative options via improved Sunday Service X46 will be available. In addition, a revised Monday to Saturday evening timetable will also be in place with final journeys curtailed around 21:00 from Durham.
Service 56/56A Durham to Bishop Auckland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 56 is proposed to be reduced to hourly between Durham and Bishop Auckland. However, we’re also implementing a trial extension of Service 56 to Tindale Crescent in Bishop Auckland and most journeys will terminate there. Regrettably, Sunday Service 56 is will also be curtailed at Coxhoe, Cornforth Lane and will not serve Stobbs Cross. All evening journeys will be completely withdrawn after circa 21:00, or circa 18:00 on Sundays, again owing to an unsustainable operating position.
Service 64 Arnison Centre to Sherburn Village
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, evening journeys on Service 64 are proposed to be withdrawn after circa 21:00, owing to an unsustainable operating position.
Service 86 Trimdon to Bishop Auckland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 86 will be withdrawn.
Service X21 Darlington to Peterlee
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service X21 will be withdrawn and replaced between Sedgefield and Peterlee by a revised and increased Service X22. The frequency of service between Sedgefield and Peterlee will be retained at two buses per hour, both operating as Service X22. This however does mean there will be no direct link to Newton Aycliffe or Darlington from Sedgefield, Trimdons, Wingate and Peterlee. This is due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service X22 Middlesbrough to Peterlee
Service X22 is proposed to be doubled in frequency between Peterlee and Sedgefield replacing Service X21 in this area. Buses will continue to provide two journeys per hour between Sedgefield and Peterlee. The service will be revised to omit Acre Rigg in Peterlee (See Service 22 for replacement option) and will also be curtailed at Stockton High St. Only a small number of peak time journeys will operate to Middlesbrough, where available vehicle resource permits
Service X26/X27 Darlington to Catterick & Colburn
Regrettably due to unsustainable passenger demand, the 22:24 journey from Colburn to Darlington is withdrawn.
Service X46 Durham to Crook & Stanhope
A revised Monday to Saturday timetable will be in operation, however no changes to length of operating day of frequency. We’re pleased to be able to improve the Sunday daytime frequency of Service X46 from every hour to every 30 minutes, effective from 9 July.
Service X66/X67 Darlington to Middlesbrough
Following improvement to our driver availability position, we’re pleased to announce the reinstatement of Service X67 and the resulting improvement in frequency of service to every 15 minutes between Darlington and Middlesbrough. Some peak time journeys however will continue to operate as Service X66, additionally serving Hartburn, increasing the frequency of service via West Stockton at key peak times. Evenings and Sundays will continue to operate hourly as per current arrangements; however we’re also introducing some additional early evening Sunday journeys along with extending the current 22:25 journey from Middlesbrough to Darlington on Mon‐Sat evenings.
Service X75/X76 Darlington to Barnard Castle
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Sunday journeys on Service X75 will be withdrawn from 9 July

Never have I seen such ill-disguised insincere "regret". Also, the improved driver availability position meaning the X67 can return... given that the X21 is going, the X1 is going, the 12 and 4 are also going from Darlington depot, plus a raft of other cuts, it's not really a shock that the availability position has improved!

 

[RELL6L]

This is the press release - copied from the Northern Echo

Service 1 Darlington to Crook & Tow Law
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service X1 will unfortunately be withdrawn in full and replaced by a revised and extended Service 1. During Monday to Saturday daytimes, revised Service 1 will operate up to every 30 minutes between Darlington and Crook (via Bishop Auckland) and once per hour, buses will continue to extend to Tow Law. Service 1 will also operate to a revised route between Shildon and Bishop Auckland, via Tindale Crescent rather than South Church. This does regretably mean that there will be no service on Adelaide Bank and passengers in South Church should continue to access Service 5. Additionally, there will be no service on a section of Byerley Road in Shildon, between Middleton Road and Hippodrome owing to the withdrawal of Service X1. Between Bishop Auckland and Crook all Service 1 journeys will operate to a standard route and will no longer serve High Grange. All journeys will operate via North Bitchburn and Toronto in both directions. Evening journeys are proposed to operate as they currently do until around 9pm, after which, Service 1 journeys will only operate between Crook and Tindale Crescent. Sundays and Bank Holidays will continue to operate hourly between Darlington and Crook, albeit journeys will adopt the revised route between Shildon and Bishop Auckland, via Tindale Crescent.
Service 3 Skerne Park to Darlington
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 3/3A will be revised to operate as Service 3 between Skerne Park and Darlington only, up to every 15 minutes during Mon‐Fri daytimes, and every 30 minutes on Saturdays. There will be no service to Mowden (except for one school journey in each direction on schooldays only). There will also be no service on Hundens Lane, Albert Hill or Whessoe Road/Longfield Road. Additionally evening and Sunday journeys will be regrettably withdrawn.
Service 4 Darlington to Minors Crescent
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, evening and Sunday journeys on Service 4 will be regrettably withdrawn.
Service 5 Darlington to Bishop Auckland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 5/5A is proposed to be merged into one route combination, although maintained at the current 30‐minute frequency during Monday to Saturday daytimes. A wholly revised timetable will be in place. The new Service 5 route will operate as per current Service 5 route between Darlington and Bishop Auckland, but all journeys will serve Greenfield Way in Newton Aycliffe (there will be no journeys via Meadowfield Way). Additionally, this does mean that Service 5/5A will no longer serve Jubilee Estate in Shildon, however revised Service 1 will continue to do so. Service 5 will operate via Dale Rd and Spout Lane on all journeys. Evenings and Sunday journeys will be broadly similar to now albeit with a revised timetable in place, however Sunday evening services between Darlington and Newton Aycliffe would be withdrawn after 7pm due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 6 Durham to Cockfield
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 6 will be revised to operate to a 20‐minute frequency during Monday to Saturday daytimes between Durham and West Auckland. Only some morning and afternoon peak journeys will extend to Cockfield and there will be no service between Cockfield and Barnard Castle. This is due to unsustainable passenger demand. Additionally, afternoon Monday‐Friday peak time journeys will be revised to terminate in Durham City Centre and will no longer serve Framwellgate Moor. This is due to resource availability to provide these extended trips but most importantly owing to the consistent congestion delays encountered at this time and in this area, affecting the existing schedule. A small number of journeys will continue to serve Framwellgate Moor in the morning peak with additional journey time. Monday to Saturday evenings will operate normally, with the last bus from Durham revised to be 22:25 and Bishop Auckland at 20:46, owing to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 7 Durham to Darlington
A revised timetable will be in place, which regrettably means journeys will no longer extend to Framwellgate Moor in morning or the afternoon. This is due to consistent congestion delays encountered at these times and in this area, affecting the existing schedule. However, we’re really excited to announce that we’re increasing the frequency of Service 7 on Sunday and Bank Holidays to be every 30 minutes between Darlington and Durham.
Service 8/8A Darlington to Spennymoor & Ferryhill
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 8/8A timetable will see arevision, with some journeys on Service 8A being revised to operate during school holidays only. Additionally, Sunday Service 8 will also be withdrawn, regrettably due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 9/10 Darlington to Whinbush & Springfield
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Monday to Saturday evening service will be reduced to just one Service 10 per hour (Service 9 would operate final journey around 7pm). Sunday evenings will be withdrawn in full after 8pm. This is due to unsustainable passenger demand
Service 12 Darlington to Hurworth
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 12 will be withdrawn in full from Sunday 9 July.
Service 13A/13B Darlington to Firth Moor
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Monday to Saturday evening service will be reduced to just one journey per hour (alternating between Service 13A and 13B). Sunday evenings will be withdrawn in full after 9pm. This is due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 19 Darlington to Faverdale Ind Estate
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Tees Valley Combined Authority and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 19 will be revised to only operate between Darlington Centre and Faverdale Industrial Estate and will operate to a revised timetable as a result. Buses will operate a one‐way loop of the Industrial Estate and will continue to serve High Grange as normal. The section between Faverdale and West Park Hospital will be withdrawn due to unsustainable passenger demand. In addition, there will be no Sunday Service 19 from 9 July, owing to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 22/22B Durham to Sunderland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, there will be a revised route and timetable in place on this service, with Service 22 proposed to operate hourly between Peterlee and Sunderland (with all journeys operating via Easington Colliery all day). Buses will continue to operate half hourly between Durham and Peterlee, however journeys terminating in Peterlee will operate as Service 22B and will additionally serve Acre Rigg Rd, Beverley Way and Neville Road in both directions, replacing Service X21/X22 in this area. A revised evening service will also be in operation, with a reduction in total number of journeys, unfortunately again due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service 23 Hartlepool to Sunderland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, a revised route and timetable will be in place, with Service 23 revised to operate hourly between Peterlee and Sunderland during Monday to Saturday daytimes. Buses will continue to operate half hourly between Hartlepool and Peterlee, to an unchanged route.
Service 43 Durham to Esh Winning
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, the Saturday frequency of Service 43 will be reduced to every 30 minutes. In addition, evening journeys will be curtailed, with the last bus from Durham City Centre at around 21:25.
Service 48 Durham to New Brancepeth
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Sunday Service 48 will be withdrawn.
Service 49/49A Durham to Brandon
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, a revised Sunday timetable, with hourly Service 49 journeys only will be in operation. There will be no Service 49A journeys on a Sunday and alternative options via improved Sunday Service X46 will be available. In addition, a revised Monday to Saturday evening timetable will also be in place with final journeys curtailed around 21:00 from Durham.
Service 56/56A Durham to Bishop Auckland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 56 is proposed to be reduced to hourly between Durham and Bishop Auckland. However, we’re also implementing a trial extension of Service 56 to Tindale Crescent in Bishop Auckland and most journeys will terminate there. Regrettably, Sunday Service 56 is will also be curtailed at Coxhoe, Cornforth Lane and will not serve Stobbs Cross. All evening journeys will be completely withdrawn after circa 21:00, or circa 18:00 on Sundays, again owing to an unsustainable operating position.
Service 64 Arnison Centre to Sherburn Village
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, evening journeys on Service 64 are proposed to be withdrawn after circa 21:00, owing to an unsustainable operating position.
Service 86 Trimdon to Bishop Auckland
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service 86 will be withdrawn.
Service X21 Darlington to Peterlee
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Service X21 will be withdrawn and replaced between Sedgefield and Peterlee by a revised and increased Service X22. The frequency of service between Sedgefield and Peterlee will be retained at two buses per hour, both operating as Service X22. This however does mean there will be no direct link to Newton Aycliffe or Darlington from Sedgefield, Trimdons, Wingate and Peterlee. This is due to unsustainable passenger demand.
Service X22 Middlesbrough to Peterlee
Service X22 is proposed to be doubled in frequency between Peterlee and Sedgefield replacing Service X21 in this area. Buses will continue to provide two journeys per hour between Sedgefield and Peterlee. The service will be revised to omit Acre Rigg in Peterlee (See Service 22 for replacement option) and will also be curtailed at Stockton High St. Only a small number of peak time journeys will operate to Middlesbrough, where available vehicle resource permits
Service X26/X27 Darlington to Catterick & Colburn
Regrettably due to unsustainable passenger demand, the 22:24 journey from Colburn to Darlington is withdrawn.
Service X46 Durham to Crook & Stanhope
A revised Monday to Saturday timetable will be in operation, however no changes to length of operating day of frequency. We’re pleased to be able to improve the Sunday daytime frequency of Service X46 from every hour to every 30 minutes, effective from 9 July.
Service X66/X67 Darlington to Middlesbrough
Following improvement to our driver availability position, we’re pleased to announce the reinstatement of Service X67 and the resulting improvement in frequency of service to every 15 minutes between Darlington and Middlesbrough. Some peak time journeys however will continue to operate as Service X66, additionally serving Hartburn, increasing the frequency of service via West Stockton at key peak times. Evenings and Sundays will continue to operate hourly as per current arrangements; however we’re also introducing some additional early evening Sunday journeys along with extending the current 22:25 journey from Middlesbrough to Darlington on Mon‐Sat evenings.
Service X75/X76 Darlington to Barnard Castle
Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position as a result, Sunday journeys on Service X75 will be withdrawn from 9 July

Never have I seen such ill-disguised insincere "regret". Also, the improved driver availability position meaning the X67 can return... given that the X21 is going, the X1 is going, the 12 and 4 are also going from Darlington depot, plus a raft of other cuts, it's not really a shock that the availability position has improved!

Awful!
The list would take much less time to read if they gave their excuses just once instead of time and time again!
And I note it says:

Due to reductions in English National Concessionary funding support from Durham County Council and subsequent unsustainable passenger demand/financial position

I can see that a reduction in funding support can impact the financial position, but why does it affect passenger demand?
I think in some places passenger demand is holding up well, I thought some Arriva routes in the north east looked OK in May. And (spoiler alert) some more thoughts to come on the Trips page from going out this week....
Big question - will the 22 and 23 give a better combined frequency between Peterlee and Sunderland than the horror during the pandemic (and they wonder why people stop using the buses....)
Any DCC replacement between Newton Aycliffe and Sedgefield I wonder? Or a Sunday X75? Or some tweaks to services to provide a few more journeys between Bishop Auckland and Cockfield?

 

[tick]

Although still a drop in the ocean, Arriva are about to purchase a few new vehicles. They have 10 StreetDecks on order for Liverpool Green Lane, 10 Streetlites for Southport and 14 Volvo B8RLEs for Luton. Admittedly these are the only ones I know about.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

The list would take much less time to read if they gave their excuses just once instead of time and time again!

Exactly - the copy and paste was what I was alluding to in the lack of sincerity!

I can see that a reduction in funding support can impact the financial position, but why does it affect passenger demand?

It's just poor wording. The lower overall demand is just being exacerbated by reduced reinbursement for passes

Any DCC replacement between Newton Aycliffe and Sedgefield I wonder? Or a Sunday X75? Or some tweaks to services to provide a few more journeys between Bishop Auckland and Cockfield?

I can see Barnard Castle falling off the public transport map on a Sunday. The decline of bus services around Sedgefield is really quite something over the last 30 years and has accelerated in the last 15 years.

 

[ScotGG]

Arriva are pulling out of operating Fastrack services in Kent. They havn't bid to operate new electric services.

I wonder if they'll pull out of Dartford and Medway entirely?

Kent Fastrack bus services may be broken up as Arriva opts not to operate - Murky Depths

Arriva appear to have given up on running fastrack bus services in Kent and Dartford according to notes from a council meeting

www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk

 

[londonteacher]

Arriva are pulling out of operating Fastrack services in Kent. They havn't bid to operate new electric services.

I wonder if they'll pull out of Dartford and Medway entirely?

Kent Fastrack bus services may be broken up as Arriva opts not to operate - Murky Depths

Arriva appear to have given up on running fastrack bus services in Kent and Dartford according to notes from a council meeting

www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk

Possibly, but I would think this is unlikely. I would say they would probably reduce service levels unless KCC (Kent County Council) steps in to help (very unlikely). The issue is if Arriva do pull out of Dartford and Medway (and potentially completely from Kent as services are already reduced in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells) who would take over? It would have to be a new operator to the area unless Nu-Venture buy the Arriva operations (although this again is unlikely).

Fast track could be operated by Go Ahead as they have experience of Electric buses (including in their Bexleyheath garage). Or, potentially First/Ensignbus could take over and include the X80 in Fastrack.

 

[Goldfish62]

Possibly, but I would think this is unlikely. I would say they would probably reduce service levels unless KCC (Kent County Council) steps in to help (very unlikely). The issue is if Arriva do pull out of Dartford and Medway (and potentially completely from Kent as services are already reduced in Maidstone and Tunbridge Wells) who would take over? It would have to be a new operator to the area unless Nu-Venture buy the Arriva operations (although this again is unlikely).

Fast track could be operated by Go Ahead as they have experience of Electric buses (including in their Bexleyheath garage). Or, potentially First/Ensignbus could take over and include the X80 in Fastrack.

That Arriva have not bid for Fastrack isn't really news. The Northfleet depot notice to staff appeared on social media a few months ago.

I understand that at least one national group is talking to Arriva about a potential purchase in Kent, but undoubtedly this is dependent on the outcome of the Fastrack tender.

 

[MotCO]

Arriva are pulling out of operating Fastrack services in Kent. They havn't bid to operate new electric services.

I wonder if they'll pull out of Dartford and Medway entirely?

Kent Fastrack bus services may be broken up as Arriva opts not to operate - Murky Depths

Arriva appear to have given up on running fastrack bus services in Kent and Dartford according to notes from a council meeting

www.fromthemurkydepths.co.uk

Didn't Go-Coach recently trial an electric bus? I couldn't really understand why, unless they are bidding for Fastrack perhaps?

I understand that at least one national group is talking to Arriva about a potential purchase in Kent, but undoubtedly this is dependent on the outcome of the Fastrack tender.

A national group bidding for Arriva Kent? Stagecoach are already in Kent so could expand. Go-Ahead are on the periphery as are First, so my money would be on Stagecoach.

 

[Goldfish62]

A national group bidding for Arriva Kent? Stagecoach are already in Kent so could expand. Go-Ahead are on the periphery as are First, so my money would be on Stagecoach.

No reason why a group on the periphery should be any less likely to want to move into Kent Thameside than Stagecoach.

But anyway, I'm sure all will become clearer soon...

 

[Blindtraveler]

I think it would be a case of careful what you wish for if someone likes stagecoach took over as there are large chunks of the network that they'd simply wouldn't want so would either take it all and cut it back further or cherry pick certain roots and services and leave the rest to either cease to exist or be picked up by smaller operators. Arriva get a hard time round here but I have to say that I've had no problems with their operations, no more cancellations than there are anywhere else in the country at the moment due to the ongoing driver situation and of course at times the age of the fleet

 

[londonteacher]

On a positive note Arriva have recently transferred in some 16 plate Enviro 400MMCs into Gillingham and Maidstone so unless this was a temporary fix they could be staying in Medway and Maidstone. However, they could easily be transferred quickly out like the new E200MMCs were after just a few months.

I hope that if Arriva stay in Medway they become more reliable but I worry if someone else takes over this could be an issue also.