Arriva Midlands

[Robertj21a]

From what I've heard from a few drivers, they have been ordered and were due in October, obviously they may not be the most reliable of sources but Arriva haven't made any recent statements

If all the electrical infrastructure at the depot is not yet in place you can safely assume that the vehicles are a long way away.

 

[Mollman]

From what I've heard from a few drivers, they have been ordered and were due in October, obviously they may not be the most reliable of sources but Arriva haven't made any recent statements

Perhaps October next year. I know from elsewhere March 2025 was being quoted as earliest anything could be delivered by from ZEBRA2 orders.

 

[Edvid]

IIRC a requirement for the funding stated buses must be ordered by 1st Jan to avoid what happened ith ZEBRA1 where some of the money wasn't spent

31 January 2025, according to official guidance:

Orders for buses must be placed by 31 January 2025. If this key milestone is not met, DfT reserves the right not to provide the remaining funding in financial year 24/25. We expect all buses to come into service within 2 years of initial funding being awarded.

Apply for zero emission bus funding (ZEBRA 2)

www.gov.uk

 

[aswilliamsuk]

If all the electrical infrastructure at the depot is not yet in place you can safely assume that the vehicles are a long way away.

As well as that, Arriva don't tend to announce their vehicle orders for the most part - there's a large order of Enviro 200 MMC (around 50 or so) for Arriva Merseyside at the moment, and a similarly large batch of Volvo B8RLE/MCV have been mooted for some divisions of the group, too. Neither of these have been announced in the press.

 

[Russel]

Perhaps October next year. I know from elsewhere March 2025 was being quoted as earliest anything could be delivered by from ZEBRA2 orders.

That would make more sense.

I've still not seen any mention of what type they have ordered.

 

[43055]

Drove past the Derby depot earlier and a MB Citaro was parked out the front in what looked to be in training livery.

 

[Trainman40083]

Drove past the Derby depot earlier and a MB Citaro was parked out the front in what looked to be in training livery.

Yes, the workshops at Derby are doing up quite a few 12 plated Citaros for use as driver trainers.... Think one has gone to Yorkshire already, so they may not be part of the Midlands allocation.

 

[Russel]

Yes, the workshops at Derby are doing up quite a few 12 plated Citaros for use as driver trainers.... Think one has gone to Yorkshire already, so they may not be part of the Midlands allocation.

Any idea what depots the Citaros were from that are being converted?

Seems an odd choice, given how many older Pulsars Arriva have.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Any idea what depots the Citaros were from that are being converted?

Seems an odd choice, given how many older Pulsars Arriva have.

Citaros are heavier on fuel - costs more to run a Citaro in all day service than a Pulsar and it makes sense to have a slightly newer training vehicle than converting the very oldest vehicles so that you get more of a return on the conversion.

 

[Budge1980]

I think the Citaro’s were from Aylesbury and High Wycombe. When Guildford closed, the 5 (I think) Citaro’s they had went to High Wycombe. At the time, High Wycombe was part of the Midland’s and sent 5 vehicles back to the South.

The Aylesbury Citaro’s took an absolute battering on the roads around Thame and Haddenham. The potholes were extensive and deep. I remember being on a 280 when it did the Thame loop and I didn’t think the bus was going to survive. Somehow it did but my back didn’t

 

[Russel]

Citaros are heavier on fuel - costs more to run a Citaro in all day service than a Pulsar and it makes sense to have a slightly newer training vehicle than converting the very oldest vehicles so that you get more of a return on the conversion.

That raises the question of why Arriva ordered them to begin with...

 

[Mollman]

That raises the question of why Arriva ordered them to begin with...

There are plenty of reasons including availability, price and spec offered. Didn't Pulsar 2 production end around 2012?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

That raises the question of why Arriva ordered them to begin with...

Could be any number of reasons.

Operators will often deviate from their usual purchases because of factors such as delivery times, specific operational requirements, or just to ensure their regular supplier doesn’t become complacent.

 

[joieman]

There are plenty of reasons including availability, price and spec offered. Didn't Pulsar 2 production end around 2012?

2013, to be precise.

 

[citybus2500]

2013, to be precise.

Arriva have 21 "14" plate SB200s.

Could be any number of reasons.

Operators will often deviate from their usual purchases because of factors such as delivery times, specific operational requirements, or just to ensure their regular supplier doesn’t become complacent.

Better quality vehicles. A well maintained Citaro is a far superior vehicle to a Pulsar. The main issue was Arriva Beds & Bucks were maintaining them . . .

More specifically, the were acquired for Olympic shuttles.

 

[crazyheli04]

There are plenty of reasons including availability, price and spec offered. Didn't Pulsar 2 production end around 2012?

Pulsar Production actually ended in 2014,
Proof: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wright_Pulsar#

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

Better quality vehicles. A well maintained Citaro is a far superior vehicle to a Pulsar. The main issue was Arriva Beds & Bucks were maintaining them . . .

Yes, and I believe parts are more expensive and they are certainly heavier on fuel.

Have to say that I've always thought that the Pulsar is a good workhorse; perhaps not as assured as a Citaro or an Eclipse, but a decent vehicle. IIRC, some of the last were delivered to Arriva Cymru for the Llandudno to Caernarfon service on 14 plates.

 

[citybus2500]

Yes, and I believe parts are more expensive and they are certainly heavier on fuel.

Have to say that I've always thought that the Pulsar is a good workhorse; perhaps not as assured as a Citaro or an Eclipse, but a decent vehicle. IIRC, some of the last were delivered to Arriva Cymru for the Llandudno to Caernarfon service on 14 plates.

In fairness, the Pulsar is a decent bus and one of the better "lightweight" vehicles. Parts maybe expensive for the Citaro, the main point being you don't need to replace things as often, if at all (if you look after them in the first place . . . .)

As well as the Arriva batch, the last pair built were the 14 plates for Claribels in Birmingham now with Diamond.

 

[Trainman40083]

In fairness, the Pulsar is a decent bus and one of the better "lightweight" vehicles. Parts maybe expensive for the Citaro, the main point being you don't need to replace things as often, if at all (if you look after them in the first place . . . .)

As well as the Arriva batch, the last pair built were the 14 plates for Claribels in Birmingham now with Diamond.

I hadn't ridden on an Arriva Pulsar, until a few weeks ago . No issues with them.

 

[joieman]

Have to say that I've always thought that the Pulsar is a good workhorse; perhaps not as assured as a Citaro or an Eclipse.

From my personal experience, some of them still have plenty of pep, and the interior is particularly good because they managed to completely hide the rear wheel arches without turning the bus into a rolling theatre.

 

[Lewisham2221]

From my personal experience, some of them still have plenty of pep, and the interior is particularly good because they managed to completely hide the rear wheel arches without turning the bus into a rolling theatre.

That'll be because they've got much smaller wheels than their Volvo and Scania based cousins, so there's no need for large, intrusive wheel arches.

 

[Mwanesh]

The Pulsar is a solid bus.Wish they still made them .

 

[Trainman40083]

I saw an Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC running round the back of the Royal Derby hospital around 13.00. Possibly a crew changeover bus for the 904 which also appeared. My picture attached

 

[bringiton]

I saw an Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC running round the back of the Royal Derby hospital around 13.00. Possibly a crew changeover bus for the 904 which also appeared. My picture attached

I saw it running along the A52 around 8.50. Whats it doing at arriva?

 

[Trainman40083]

I saw it running along the A52 around 8.50. Whats it doing at arriva?

I'm not 100% sure it is with Arriva, but possible where it was, unless it is with Diamond Bus as a crew changeover bus... But if it was on the A52, Arriva seems more likely

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 26 Nov 2024 ==

Arriva Derby have won "top UK depot" at the bus awards.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Nov 2024 ==

I saw an Alexander Dennis Enviro 400MMC running round the back of the Royal Derby hospital around 13.00. Possibly a crew changeover bus for the 904 which also appeared. My picture attached

This bus, could have been working for Sharpes of Nottingham instead

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 27 Nov 2024 ==

Interesting times Arriva Derby depot on ITV News tonight. Best UK depot at the UK bus awards. They say they get very few complaints -))

 

[bringiton]

This bus, could have been working for Sharpes of Nottingham instead

Maybe, it gives me a demo feel, so I doubt arriva would since they already have e400mmcs..

 

[Trainman40083]

Maybe, it gives me a demo feel, so I doubt arriva would since they already have e400mmcs..

Yes, but could have been a warranty cover bus.. Would have thought demos these days might be newer. I sure didn't expect to see it, and I misjudged when it would reappear. I thought I had another 10 minutes

 

[43055]

The Derby depot has won top national depot at the UK Bus awards.

Latest News - Arriva UK Bus

www.arrivabus.co.uk

It’s official - Arriva's Derby depot is the best in the country.​

The team who run the garage were crowned Top National Depot at the UK Bus Awards yesterday (Nov 26), scooping the industry-respected Gold award.

Arriva’s Derby bus depot was once a loss-making business with budgets overspent, low customer satisfaction and a staff turnover that was horrific.

But the depot that turned its fortunes around and is now in the top flight.

The depot is leading the way for Arriva and for other bus operators as an example of how a depot can go from zero to hero.

A combined team of 240 dedicated public transport champions ensure the bus passengers of Derby are well-served on the 2.6 million miles of passenger journeys made in and around the city each year.

The UK Bus Awards judges commented on how the depot are smashing every business target, punctuality is high, staff levels are stable and customers rarely complain.

In order to win Gold at the UK Bus Awards, bus operators submit their submissions and judges travel on the services as ‘mystery shoppers’ so that they experience the service.

Derby’s sites manager Raj Chander had a tough challenge in turning round the fortunes of the once-failing depot but the hard graft shown by him and the rest of the team has now paid off.

Raj collected a large glass trophy to bring home from the UK Bus Awards ceremony in London.

He said: “I am thrilled the hard work and dedication shown day in, day out by the whole team at Derby has paid off.

“It’s amazing to have won this award, especially considering we were at real risk just a few years ago.

“It sounds like a cliché, but it’s true: we feel like winners, we are winners and our customers will also feel that.

“I am so proud of everyone who’s worked super-hard and I’m already thinking about the great things we’re doing now and how we might win even more awards next year. Bring it on!”

Raj took a pragmatic approach to the depot’s previous problems and has been key in its phoenix-from-the-ashes turnaround. One of his main objectives in driving growth has been to put people first.

Raj put employee engagement top of the list and makes sure every member of the team knows why they do what they do and where they fit in making bus transport the top choice for people.

There’s team and individual training, nurturing existing talent, praising employee achievements, ensuring great communication, sharing excellent practice, collaborating with other depots and the community, as well as fostering a family atmosphere.

A welfare committee organises days out for employees from anything from a trip to Skegness to an afternoon of axe-throwing to boost employee engagement.

 

[Robertj21a]

The Derby depot has won top national depot at the UK Bus awards.

Latest News - Arriva UK Bus

www.arrivabus.co.uk

Seemingly very deserving. Arriva Derby certainly tries hard at just about everything, despite a notably elderly fleet.

 

[Voyager 2953]

Arriva have 21 "14" plate SB200s.


Better quality vehicles. A well maintained Citaro is a far superior vehicle to a Pulsar. The main issue was Arriva Beds & Bucks were maintaining them . . .

More specifically, the were acquired for Olympic shuttles.

Exactly this; the maintenance and both Aylesbury and Wycombe was shocking. I have a catalogue of photos that would put any higher out to shame. Awfully run but the Citaros were not actually thirsty. Many of them could go a whole day without needing to fill up. It’s the maintenance that let them down but even a bad Citaro is a decent bus.

The Pulsar is decent in my opinion but it doesn’t come close to the Eclipse or Citaro. It is very solid and far far better than the E300 which it rivals.