I Squared Capital - Arriva UK BUS

[johntea]

Arriva Yorkshire I generally have no problems with, although I do find using bustimes.org (or similar) essential before setting off to a bus stop to ensure something might actually turn up!

One outstanding issue I do have is some of their buses (around Wakefield/Castleford/Leeds) are absolutely caked in muck to the extent I was on a service the other day and it was virtually impossible to look out of the windows to judge whereabouts you were / if you were close to your stop...this has been going on over a year now!

I'm by no means expecting a spick and span bus but just a quick wash now and then would be much appreciated - it would also help if all their buses had the visual and audio announcements of the route but I appreciate that'll probably come as part of new buses and perhaps franchising

 

[Kaliwax]

Arriva Yorkshire I generally have no problems with, although I do find using bustimes.org (or similar) essential before setting off to a bus stop to ensure something might actually turn up!

One outstanding issue I do have is some of their buses (around Wakefield/Castleford/Leeds) are absolutely caked in muck to the extent I was on a service the other day and it was virtually impossible to look out of the windows to judge whereabouts you were / if you were close to your stop...this has been going on over a year now!

I'm by no means expecting a spick and span bus but just a quick wash now and then would be much appreciated - it would also help if all their buses had the visual and audio announcements of the route but I appreciate that'll probably come as part of new buses and perhaps franchising

I think the Pulsars if they are still in the fleet at Castleford later in the year will have to have visual and audio announcements by law.

I agree with the muck definitely some do look like a state, they have been having issues with bus washes for quite a while, Wakefield should be getting theirs sorted out shortly.

I'm just thankful they have gotten rid of those horrid e200s on the Castleford routes

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jan 2026 ==

Of all the Arriva operations...

Arriva Midlands and Shires - Leicester has been the most obvious recipient of investment though Luton has also benefitted and those two centres (and Derby) are the main areas that they could invest and develop. Tamworth is overdue its EVs and they are investing in the Shropshire ops. Certainly, the commercial team seem to be amongst the most active. MK is certainly one depot that might be challenging to get right but I'd say it's the OpCo with the greatest scope to develop operations.

Arriva Cymru - this operation has really declined over recent years, possibly as a result of Welsh Govt approaches but also Arriva's failings - they really have made some oddly bad decisions. It really does need some investment but, of course, the spectre of franchising is looming large.

Arriva Yorkshire - another operation that has suffered with a lack of investment though there is some fleet replacement being done. Of course, franchising is the great unknown and they have a lot to lose with extensive operations in Wakefield borough and the former Woollen districts

Arriva Merseyside/NW - this is the big news currently, and arguably one of the powerhouse operations. They've lost the franchises for Wirral and St Helens, and were the dominant operator with most to lose. Arriva didn't participate in Greater Manchester, and perhaps that was a missed opportunity as it could have enabled them to learn the rules of a game that isn't the same as in London.

Arriva North East/Northumbria - the Northumberland operations are in reasonable shape and will continue with the ability to operate into Tyneside on a permit basis. The bigger threat is the abstraction of trade by the reopened rail line against their killer routes from Ashington, Bedlington and Blyth - new vehicles have appeared there sporadically and there are new EVs arriving. It's the North East operations that have really declined, especially in Co Durham where the network is now skeletal. New vehicles are arriving and Darlington/Belmont are getting electrics but there's a lot to do and it's not the most economically active of areas.

Arriva Southern Counties - this is the real concern. It seems bereft of a strategic plan and a lack of investment is evident in the age of the fleet and continuing cuts. In some respects, the old M&D ops in Kent should seem to be a perfect area to invest and develop, and a supportive LA should enable Herts to be better than it is. Yes, places like Harlow and Hemel will always be challenging but there should be a business to be created; I just don't know if Arriva has a plan yet.

Arriva London - well, it's probably not going to change too much but the real issue is that TfL hasn't the money to sustain the network, and operators haven't the money to prop up loss making contracts.

That's my views....

I don't know about Northumbia/North East, if you read Arriva threads on the North East Bus Forum, it seems things are dire particularly at Ashington depot. Yorkshire really should send the withdrawn e200s up there if things are that bad with boards constantly missing and short of vehicles, yes, they are knackered than an e200 but it's better than nothing for the time being.

 

[MedwayValiant]

That may also stop some of the lunacy we see with customer services, such as my local company spending more time advertising local coffee shops and football matches on its' Facebook page than it does service changes...

...

As a long-suffering passenger and long-hopeful enthusiast, I can only agree. The plan seems to be death by a thousand cuts, with no real idea of what passengers want: the fares go up, the level of service goes down. The shadow fares for my 3 mile journey into town are now something like £4.50 single. The only adult fare under £3 is now for a journey of up to 0.5 miles (£2.70). Season tickets rose by teen-percentages in summer, and we've just had another fare increase a fortnight ago. A previous fare increase only worked out from the start of the route, so you could get a less-than-£3 fare from the town centre to, say, five stops down the road, but at the far end of the route, you couldn't even get a bus around the corner for less than £3. The worst anomalies seem to have been fixed this time around, even if there isn't much difference between £2.70 and £3.

...

Very pleased to see some new vehicles on order to replace our vehicles that are old enough to buy alcohol if you took to them to a pub, and nobody necessarily expects 10 minute frequencies back where they are now 20, but 20 to 15, or 15 to 12, shouldn't be too difficult on busy town centre routes, especially at the three depots in Kent (of four) that are allegedly fully staffed.

Apologies for the selective quoting, I've just quoted the three paragraphs that I wanted to comment on.

It doesn't help that social media customer service for Kent and Medway is actually done from Luton. The people who do it have clearly never been to Kent, and seem not even to have a map to look at. I had supposed that all those plugs for coffee shops and football matches were paid-for advertising - although if they are then they are supposed to say so, and they don't.

The fares in the Medway Towns (possibly all of Kent, but I've not been to the other bits since the fares changed) are confusing at the moment. According to the hopeless Arriva website, the only single fares are now £2.00 and £3.00 - but at least some (I don't know whether it's some or all) of the supposed £3.00 fares are actually £2.80. Even the drivers don't appear to know why, and the company hasn't answered when it's been asked to explain on Facebook.

There are certainly two brand new vehicles currently being used mostly on the 145, although 145 users will remember the last group of shiny new vehicles which were introduced with some fanfare ... and then re-allocated to Leighton Buzzard within a month. They will need some convincing that the present new vehicles are actually going to stay.

A lot of the other vehicles absolutely are old enough to go out drinking - except that the door staff would refuse them admission because of the state of their upholstery ...

 

[duncombec]

It doesn't help that social media customer service for Kent and Medway is actually done from Luton. The people who do it have clearly never been to Kent, and seem not even to have a map to look at. I had supposed that all those plugs for coffee shops and football matches were paid-for advertising - although if they are then they are supposed to say so, and they don't.

Not only is it done from Luton (or elsewhere), there is a distinct likelihood that it is managed through a "mixing desk" application, where by what we see as individual feeds is managed by them as tweet-by-tweet, so when people ask, for example, where the 277 is, they don't know which 277. That is a "them" problem rather than an "us" problem, but it does give a bad impression. I don't believe that the non-bus adverts are paid for, but the company trying to be "local".

The fares in the Medway Towns (possibly all of Kent, but I've not been to the other bits since the fares changed) are confusing at the moment. According to the hopeless Arriva website, the only single fares are now £2.00 and £3.00 - but at least some (I don't know whether it's some or all) of the supposed £3.00 fares are actually £2.80. Even the drivers don't appear to know why, and the company hasn't answered when it's been asked to explain on Facebook.

Arriva website: enough said! It is more likely that the claimed £2 fares are £2.80. Except in Medway where they seem to be £2.70 (as they were before the most recent change), and I don't think the £2.50 Medway evening fare was removed, although I haven't travelled in the evening since the 18th Jan changes to check.

There are certainly two brand new vehicles currently being used mostly on the 145, although 145 users will remember the last group of shiny new vehicles which were introduced with some fanfare ... and then re-allocated to Leighton Buzzard within a month. They will need some convincing that the present new vehicles are actually going to stay.

There are five new vehicles - two short and three long, all dealer stock. I have commented on the previous batch before: I've had it absolutely confirmed by one person in a position to know that they were never intended to stay in Kent anyway, and equally absolutely confirmed by another in a position to know that they were, Arriva weren't expecting to win the tender in Leighton Buzzard, and those were the only vehicles available that fitted the spec. Make of that what you will. Ultimately, there is a severe shortage of "short" vehicles at Gillingham without them, so they have to come from somewhere, or the 164 will struggle, and 145s will have to operate as 146s.

A lot of the other vehicles absolutely are old enough to go out drinking - except that the door staff would refuse them admission because of the state of their upholstery ...

The number is declining rapidly, so not entirely fair to say "a lot" - and if rumour is to be believed (and the official plans change frequently enough that everything is rumour until it happens), is intended to change further in the coming months, with new and second-hand purchases for both Kent and Essex.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I don't know about Northumbia/North East, if you read Arriva threads on the North East Bus Forum, it seems things are dire particularly at Ashington depot. Yorkshire really should send the withdrawn e200s up there if things are that bad with boards constantly missing and short of vehicles, yes, they are knackered than an e200 but it's better than nothing for the time being.

I always treat reports with a pinch of salt, only because so many times has it been thirdhand info or not tracking on bus times, rather than a board being missing. I don't get back up to the cold, windswept North that often; Arriva Northumbria have never let me down except once c.2012 on a Sunday morning at Gosforth Park, but if they are having problems with some of the ageing Pulsars, then a short term bolstering wouldn't be a bad thing.

As I've said, people are getting rather exercised by some moves of elderly vehicles. The reality is that many of these are very short term moves as delayed EVs eventually enter service and will then enable cascades to take place. After all, would you spend £2000 working on a vehicle that hasn't many months in it to get through its MOT, or move another vehicle that has come free and still has 6 months left on its ticket?

 

[Tetchytyke]

I don't know about Northumbia/North East, if you read Arriva threads on the North East Bus Forum, it seems things are dire particularly at Ashington depot.

I don't get back to Newcastle very often, but I would take anything from that particular forum with a pinch of salt. It has always been populated by enthusiasts who love Go North East and therefore think that Arriva and Stagecoach are rubbish. I've never understood their love of GNE but there we go.

I wouldn't actually be surprised though. Both Ashington and Blyth depots have a significant number of buses which are now fairly elderly, and elderly buses don't tend to like the cold and the wet very much.

Other than the small batch of 15 72-plate E400MMCs, which can best be described as spartan, everything else up there is getting rather long in the tooth. The 59 and 61-plate VDL Gemini 2s in particular are absolutely knackered, they're fifteen years old and they've been properly thrashed for most of those fifteen years. The 57-plate E400s are even worse; the one I was on last summer sounded asthmatic and climbed hills like it had COPD.

 

[Javelin700]

I don't think Southend is a particularly huge money making depot for Arriva if I'm honest, judging by what Arriva staff are saying on Facebook.

I think the Versas are going and being replaced by streetlites possibly from Gillingham?

Yeah, Southend will be getting Streetlites from Gillingham, 64 reg one's from what I've heard.

 

[NE91]

I always treat reports with a pinch of salt, only because so many times has it been thirdhand info or not tracking on bus times, rather than a board being missing. I don't get back up to the cold, windswept North that often; Arriva Northumbria have never let me down except once c.2012 on a Sunday morning at Gosforth Park, but if they are having problems with some of the ageing Pulsars, then a short term bolstering wouldn't be a bad thing.

As I've said, people are getting rather exercised by some moves of elderly vehicles. The reality is that many of these are very short term moves as delayed EVs eventually enter service and will then enable cascades to take place. After all, would you spend £2000 working on a vehicle that hasn't many months in it to get through its MOT, or move another vehicle that has come free and still has 6 months left on its ticket?

I think you're right there. Things certainly aren't perfect with Arriva Northumbria currently, but they're slowly moving forward and there's big investment around the corner which should make a huge difference. Blyth have had limited cancellations, while Ashington have had enough to get the local Councillors and press on to them, but even the Councillors I've talked to seem to be positive about the plans Arriva have talked them through, though like us all they'd like them a month or two quicker than they're happening.

 

[MedwayValiant]

Arriva website: enough said! It is more likely that the claimed £2 fares are £2.80. Except in Medway where they seem to be £2.70 (as they were before the most recent change), and I don't think the £2.50 Medway evening fare was removed, although I haven't travelled in the evening since the 18th Jan changes to check.

...

Ultimately, there is a severe shortage of "short" vehicles at Gillingham without them, so they have to come from somewhere, or the 164 will struggle, and 145s will have to operate as 146s.

On the 145 at least, the supposed £2.00 and £3.00 fares are in fact both £2.80, as I discovered today. It's £2.80 to travel from one end of the route to the other, and it's £2.80 to travel one stop (someone did it). Whether it's the same for all Medway routes or even all Arriva roures in Kent I don't know - and why the company is advertising something different to what it's actually doing, it seems not to want to say.

If you ask me, the whole of the 145 service would do better to operate to the 146 routing anyway. The Warren Wood loop which is the only difference between the two must be marginal at best. Not many people get on in that section (presumably because it is prone to being "randomly" omitted), and all of it is within 8 minutes walk of either the main part of the route or the 101.

 

[Mwanesh]

I think the way the Home Counties, both amongst themselves and with London are divided up in a way that really doesn't help bus operations nor make them attractive to use and certainly not as efficient as they could be. The administrative areas really fragment what should be obvious connections. In Herts especially, Arriva runs a bunch a routes that survived deregulation and are not massively different to the time of London Country. Routes like the 301, 310, 321, 331 and 724 form important connections and with a bit of joined up thinking could do wonders. I think any bus company out here has to more advantage of the polycentric nature of the northern Home Counties but really it's proper investment and stability from either a single operator and the county council or multiple operators dominate in particular areas and the county council. The geography of Hertfordshire doesn't mold well to travel patterns and so any partnership must take cross-boundary travel more seriously too.

London is unlikely to change much, apart from in Outer areas where hopefully TFL will come to their senses and see collaboration with their neighbours is the only way forward.

I also wonder with franchising happening where it is, those counties or regions that don't opt for franchising will become dominated by local independents. Arriva will probably hold on in some places but much diminished if they can't convince authorities. I'm sure Liverpool will be happy to see Arriva gone!

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Jan 2026 ==


Using Arriva in Ashington to go to Newbiggin by the sea and then Morpeth about a year ago, I was convinced they were not the same company as what I have to put up with in Cheshunt! Clean and newer vehicles, well maintained, friendlier staff and much more punctual. Seems like the North East Authority subsidises a lot of late and Sunday journeys still as well.

Arriva Merseyside has been the better operation of the empire.Invèstment wise

 

[MotCO]

A lot of the other vehicles absolutely are old enough to go out drinking - except that the door staff would refuse them admission because of the state of their upholstery ...

About 15 years ago, I recall seeing modern double deckers on the 101 going up Bluebell Hill between Maidstone and Chatham. It seemed to be a flagship route - is that still the case today?

 

[Russel]

About 15 years ago, I recall seeing modern double deckers on the 101 going up Bluebell Hill between Maidstone and Chatham. It seemed to be a flagship route - is that still the case today?

Being Arriva, it's probably the same buses from 15 years ago!

 

[Man of Kent]

Being Arriva, it's probably the same buses from 15 years ago!

Yes it is a flagship route, and is the nominal home of some of the 14 Enviro400MMCs delivered in the autumn of 2024.
It was due to receive Wright StreetDecks just at the point that Wrightbus collapsed - I believe they were due after the batch that was part delivered to Arriva Yorkshire. In some ways, that may have been a lucky escape (as it climbs the best part of 600ft in both directions to cross Bluebell Hill).

 

[alex397]

About 15 years ago, I recall seeing modern double deckers on the 101 going up Bluebell Hill between Maidstone and Chatham. It seemed to be a flagship route - is that still the case today?

It does generally have fairly new vehicles, but one of the two remaining 04-reg B7TL/ALX400 types at Kent does keep appearing on it!

 

[Volvodart]

Arriva to introduce 809 new buses to regional and London fleets​

Arriva to introduce 809 new buses to regional and London fleets - routeone

Arriva has announced a £340 million fleet investment that will see 809 new buses join its fleet and 150 existing examples refurbished.

www.route-one.net

 

[Russel]

Arriva to introduce 809 new buses to regional and London fleets​

Arriva to introduce 809 new buses to regional and London fleets - routeone

Arriva has announced a £340 million fleet investment that will see 809 new buses join its fleet and 150 existing examples refurbished.

www.route-one.net

Seen this in the Arriva Midlands thread, long overdue but very good news!

Does anyone have anymore info on the 150 refurbishments quoted in the article?

 

[overthewater]

This is extremely good news, what is even better is 2/3 are for the regions. It looks like the company has now managed to turn a conner and invest in some much needed stock.

* 502 regional operations
* 307 are for Arriva London
* 150 existing vehicles refurbished

Just to ask how many buses does Arriva UK own right now? It looks like A quarter of the fleet is getting replaced?

 

[BuhSnarf]

Their website states they operate 3,856 buses in the UK. So this would equate to 25% being either new or refurbished.

 

[MotCO]

The acquisitions are being split among four manufacturers:

AD: 221 Region; 30 London
BYD: 39 Region; 191 London
Volvo/MCV: 124 Region; 72 London
Wrightbus: 118 Region; 14 London

Arriva to introduce 809 new buses to regional and London fleets - routeone

Arriva has announced a £340 million fleet investment that will see 809 new buses join its fleet and 150 existing examples refurbished.

www.route-one.net

 

[Russel]

Their website states they operate 3,856 buses in the UK. So this would equate to 25% being either new or refurbished.

When you take into account the new buses received over the last 18 months, it is probably well over 25%, things do look as if things are starting to improve.

 

[buslad1988]

That’s brilliant news and a huge step after many years of under investment. First positive step, hopefully a new website and publicity will follow shortly.

I’m wondering what vehicles will be refurbished?

That article also states every area will benefit - it’ll have a big effect even for the most marginal ops receiving transferred stock. Should bring the age profile down, especially in areas where fleets still have a heavy number of pre-2010 vehicles.

Just out of curiosity - there aren’t as many cascades into the regions from London as there used to be; is this down to buses there generally being leased these days? That goes for all of the large groups, not just arriva.

 

[MotCO]

Just out of curiosity - there aren’t as many cascades into the regions from London as there used to be; is this down to buses there generally being leased these days? That goes for all of the large groups, not just arriva.

Don't forget that, approx 11.5% of all buses operating in London are owned by TfL (998 out of 8,700 buses) so can't be cascaded.

 

[GoneSouth]

They’re clearly starting to make pockets of investment across the country both in brand new vehicles and handfuls of second hand stock. I can see this continuing.

Martijn Gilbert needs to be given a chance and with his previous track record he’ll no doubt have some grand plans - although it may be the case of targeting specific op co’s to trial ideas first before rolling things out nationally.

Arriva kind of led the way a few years back with the simplified livery and modernised logo which Stagecoach appear to have followed suit with and First have also had their refresh. It’s a clean livery, easy to maintain and it appears to have been relatively simple to roll out without too many variations (unlike Stagecoach).

I’d like to see a revival of Arriva, concentrating on improving in their main areas first and potentially attempting to branch out a bit.

The website is top priority for upgrade first however, as extensively covered on here previously, it’s awful!

Have to agree about the single livery for First and Stagecoach, great idea but Stagecoach just can’t get it right. First looks very good but the interior of their vehicles is awful. As for Arriva, I associate that turquoise livery with the Northern Spirit rail days, not something they’d want to remember! Hope they come up with a smart looking new brand or they’ll forever be thought of as the poor relation of the bus industry

 

[Busoccultation]

Just out of curiosity - there aren’t as many cascades into the regions from London as there used to be; is this down to buses there generally being leased these days? That goes for all of the large groups, not just arriva.

Most Arriva buses in London are still owned, main factor is that Arriva still has plenty of 2009/10 buses running in service in London although the numbers are dwindling in recent months and Arriva normally specfies low height double deckers outside of London whereas TfL do mandate full height deckers for London.

 

[YorkRailFan]

I have received the following email from Arriva about a new website/app coming soon for Arriva:

We wanted to let you know that we’ll soon be introducing a new Arriva Bus app and website.

They’ve been redesigned to make travelling by bus even easier, helping you:

• Plan journeys more easily
• Buy and manage tickets in the app
• See when your bus is arriving in real time
• Check service updates before you travel

You don’t need to do anything right now.

We’re sharing this early so you know the change is coming. Before launch, we’ll guide you through everything you need to do to get started with the new app.

Thanks for travelling with us,

The Arriva Bus Team

 

[Russel]

I have received the following email from Arriva about a new website/app coming soon for Arriva:

Had that email too, the website needs replacing but I don't have any issue with the Arriva Bus app, let's hope whatever they come up with is better than what they did to the CrossCountry app.

 

[Voyager 2953]

Don't forget that, approx 11.5% of all buses operating in London are owned by TfL (998 out of 8,700 buses) so can't be cascaded.

That’s only the Routemasters.

 

[Andyh82]

Just out of curiosity - there aren’t as many cascades into the regions from London as there used to be; is this down to buses there generally being leased these days? That goes for all of the large groups, not just arriva.

Probably a combination of because buses are being kept longer in London and also there isn’t a specific type of bus that needs to be phased out (such as when old first gen ex London low floors were a way to get rid of the last step entrance buses)

Now most old London buses will be barely any different than the buses they might replace, so instead they go to the coach companies and the independents to use as school buses

 

[Statto]

I have received the following email from Arriva about a new website/app coming soon for Arriva:

Not before time either, the Arriva website is an abomination of a website & the worst bus company site on the internet, with Stagecoach not far behind them.

Oh & not just the website, Arriva timetables are by far the worst presented timetables on the internet as well.

 

[markymark2000]

Had that email too, the website needs replacing but I don't have any issue with the Arriva Bus app, let's hope whatever they come up with is better than what they did to the CrossCountry app.

Let's just say that it's a platform which is well used by a number of other operators and it's a country mile better than the current app/website. There are still a few One thing that I know though is that many will rejoice over is that you won't be forced to rely upon the godawful PDF timetables like current.