Arriva 321 Sapphire route

[flexiexpress]

Over the last 3 years, the Sapphire Streetlites have been repainted into journey mark, and more local buses have made appearances on the 321. (Luton-Watford) I was also confused when last year, no new buses were purchased for the 321 service (as Garston purchased new buses for the 321 every 6 years)

Has the route been de-classified or am I missing something?

 

[TransitUK980]

The Streelites weren't suitable for the route so were taken off in late 2017 and replaced by local E200MMCs. The latter were taken off the 321 in mid 2021 due to reliability issues. The intention at current is to operate the route with B7RLEs cascaded from Busway services (following the introduction of B8RLEs on the Busway). The Streetlites have to fill in the gaps as they're the only vehicles available to do so now.

As I'm sure you'll understand, Covid put a hold on most investment, although I'm almost certain there was never anything set in stone that the 321 had to have new buses every 6 years.

The Sapphire brand has been discontinued on most services in the area as the specification is very similar to that of most new vehicles acquired by Arriva.

 

[GusB]

Over the last 3 years, the Sapphire Streetlites have been repainted into journey mark

What on earth is 'journey mark'?

 

[Lynford1976]

What on earth is 'journey mark'?

It's the name of the current Arriva livery.

 

[cnjb8]

Over the last 3 years, the Sapphire Streetlites have been repainted into journey mark, and more local buses have made appearances on the 321. (Luton-Watford) I was also confused when last year, no new buses were purchased for the 321 service (as Garston purchased new buses for the 321 every 6 years)

Has the route been de-classified or am I missing something?

Arriva didn’t buy buses in any significant amount from 2018 to now, let alone for Luton

 

[flexiexpress]

The Streelites weren't suitable for the route so were taken off in late 2017 and replaced by local E200MMCs. The latter were taken off the 321 in mid 2021 due to reliability issues. The intention at current is to operate the route with B7RLEs cascaded from Busway services (following the introduction of B8RLEs on the Busway). The Streetlites have to fill in the gaps as they're the only vehicles available to do so now.

As I'm sure you'll understand, Covid put a hold on most investment, although I'm almost certain there was never anything set in stone that the 321 had to have new buses every 6 years.

The Sapphire brand has been discontinued on most services in the area as the specification is very similar to that of most new vehicles acquired by Arriva.

The busway b7rles?

 

[cnjb8]

Are they b7rle's or L94ub solars?

Up until very recently, the Busway was operated by Scania L94UB/Wright Solar and Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 2 vehicles. Now these are being cascaded following the arrival of brand new Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evora vehicles for the Busway. The L94UBs are being scrapped and the B7RLEs are going to work the 321

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Up until very recently, the Busway was operated by Scania L94UB/Wright Solar and Volvo B7RLE/Wright Eclipse 2 vehicles. Now these are being cascaded following the arrival of brand new Volvo B8RLE/MCV Evora vehicles for the Busway. The L94UBs are being scrapped and the B7RLEs are going to work the 321

The Solars are 55 plates? Not been on them but guess they're rather tired and well worn now?

Travelled on the 321 a few months back, and had one of the Streetlites - I should count myself lucky? The headrests were still Sapphired but no other mention of it.

 

[cnjb8]

The Solars are 55 plates? Not been on them but guess they're rather tired and well worn now?

Travelled on the 321 a few months back, and had one of the Streetlites - I should count myself lucky? The headrests were still Sapphired but no other mention of it.

Yes they are all 55-plates now. Arriva did inherit some 55 and 06 plated Solars from MK Metro but these have been removed from service a few months ago