I’ve always had a soft spot for Citaros, however I do agree with you. Arriva also seem to be standardising a lot of fleets with Pulsars so it would make sense in the short term.
In the long term they would benefit from new buses!
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Arriva Midlands
- Thread starter joieman
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In the long term they would benefit from new buses!
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Qwerty133
Established Member
I assume this is why there is 4 deckers on the X84 today rather than the usual E200MMCs on 3 of the diagrams. For those from outside the area the Hinckley operated X84 covers a lot of areas that are also served by different services operated from Thurmaston so if the strike had gone ahead would have been used by those who normally travel on the 50,84,104 etc.
The 12 plate Citaros, used on Olympic shuttles are fine, they seem to have a mis-match interior that has been patched up over the years with multiple different moquette's / e-leather and the full size plug sockets that have been fitted are in the wrong place on quite a few seats and can be quite uncomfortable when one digs into your leg or arm.
TheGrandWazoo
Veteran Member
The Temsa Avenues in the North East have largely been replaced by similarly aged Pulsars, and the Citaros are quite non-standard with expensive parts so expect them to be early casualties.
However, there is quite the backlog on fleet replacement so lots of places could benefit from new buses!
Moving ageing Pulsars around wont work as a fleet plan for every though, at some point in the not too distant future Arriva will have to place a large order for single deckers, not the piecemeal orders we're currently seeing...
This is my point, moving 16 year old buses around isn't a suitable long term solution.
They seem to be buying 2nd hand buses for depots in Kent/Southern Counties, for depots that don't justify brand new buses, it's not a bad solution
the pulsars are likely going to be a temporary solution to replacing uncommon fleets, as demonstrated in Derby with the scanias, with the same likely happening to Tamworth with the E300s & Citaros, Supposedly Derby is due eVoRas in the not too distant future to replace pulsars & E400 MMCs due to replace the B9s, I was questioning it but Yorkshire & the North East have both seen influxes of new vehicles, so likely the Midlands fleet will also be improved.
How long is temporary though?
How long is a piece of string... buying new vehicles & replacing entire fleets isnt going to happen overnight, i can imagine lots of new vehicle orders will be announced in the new year & throughout.
I could definitely see Tamworth having the same scenario as Derby where they have more Pulsars to standardise the fleet in the short term until hopefully brand new buses arrive. A couple of Pulsars have already been moved from Derby earlier this year, and they are in much better condition from the outside. I haven’t been onboard so I can’t comment on what the interior is like.
Trainman40083
Established Member
One day, all Arriva buses might even be in the same livery. Be time to change the livery then..
I can’t see Arriva making much changes to the livery in my opinion. I am aware that one of the reasons Stagecoach brought out their new plainer dark livery was to save on costs and with Arriva they already use a plain livery, so the costs for repainting their buses will be lower.
Providing Arriva keep the blue colour scheme which they’ve used for decades, then I would think the journey mark is going to be used for some years yet! Once all their buses are painted, it would be interesting to see if they develop anything new, or just continue with the journey mark..
I'm well aware that replacing an entire fleet isn't an easy task, I didn't suggest otherwise...
This is an issue that has been allowed to develop over a number of years through continuous under-investment, bad decisions and poor management.
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That hasn't happened since the days of Cotswold Stone!
SSmith2009
Member
I wasn't a fan of journey mark at first but its grown on me and it helps keep costs down and the time spent off road for replacement panels at a minimum when needed as its just one colour.
All the VDLs released from Merseyside to Derby were absolute states internally, 2/3 that came in Cotswold Stone still had original interiors, others have a mismatch of seat fabrics & headrest, a lot were heavily graffitied in Liverpool & still have that damage.
However they've all been pretty reliable, despite the obvious flaws.
In fairness journey mark has been around for a long time, First & Stagecoach have both had major rebrands in thay time, plus with who's recently taken a major role in Arriva could Sapphire make a return? Purely speculating but Go North East is very brand populated, so could his previous company have some inspiration on Arrivas future...
Trainman40083
Established Member
Exactly my thoughts.. Mr Gilbert will bring change.
It sounds like Merseyside were just getting rid of their worse condition ones, all of the MX09’s left at Merseyside are now in the new livery, so I wonder whether they would’ve refurbished the seats at the same time as being painted?
The remaining MX09’s could leave Merseyside soon having exceeded the 15 year age limit there, so some of those moving to Tamworth would upgrade the fleet depending on if they’ve had a refurb.
They all been refurbished
We can only hope, there is only so much change one person can bring, especially if they don't receive the funds and resources needed, but his appointment is a good start.
Have the Solos and Versas all left Tamworth? Haven't seen them for a month or so?
Trainman40083
Established Member
2983 must be one of the only Versas not at Shrewsbury, or Telford.
There’s a batch of them at Leicester also
Yes, quite nice to ride on but they often have squeaky drive belts.
Trainman40083
Established Member
I was thinking more Arriva Midlands North, rather than Leicester/Derby area
Still got a couple then.
Not a fan of the Versas, no idea why but they all seem to smell of wet dog.
Just 2983 there at the moment. Tamworth had 2963 on loan last year as I remember seeing it had the ‘in between’ old and new Versa headlight design which must be quite unique!