Arriva Midlands

[Trainman40083]

Evora’s would definitely make sense for the X38. Would certainly give the arriva service more appeal.

I imagine the Gemini’s are likely on borrowed time too.

I certainly would think EvoRas would be good for Derby. Maybe 15 of them.

 

[SSmith2009]

How many are due?

Last I heard they were due 20+ then it was mentioned arriva plan to make the entire Thurmaston fleet electric.

In preparation for the changes most of the 72 plate E200mmcs and some E400mmcs have been shipped off to Hinckley to upgrade their fleet with older E200mmcs and volvo singles coming to Leicester.

 

[Trainman40083]

Last I heard they were due 20+ then it was mentioned arriva plan to make the entire Thurmaston fleet electric.

In preparation for the changes most of the 72 plate E200mmcs and some E400mmcs have been shipped off to Hinckley to upgrade their fleet with older E200mmcs and volvo singles coming to Leicester.

Maybe Leicester will send some fairly new deckers to Derby to oust the 58 plated ones.

 

[aswilliamsuk]

How many are due?

The Leicester Buses website (https://www.leicesterbuses.co.uk/electric) says that they have funding for 60 more electric buses over the next two years, so my hunch is 30 GB Kites.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Dec 2025 ==

I had read that Shrewsbury will be having a batch of Volvo B8 Evoras delivered at some stage. It’s probably too early to start working out which vehicles, but I wouldn’t rule out a batch of Evoras being on order for Derby. They’d be handy on the X38 personally (if the X38 competition with Trent is continuing!)

I do hope Tamworth will also receive some newer buses, ideally they need some sooner rather than later.

Tamworth is still supposed to be getting electric deckers for the 110, is it not?

 

[BusLink61]

The Leicester Buses website (https://www.leicesterbuses.co.uk/electric) says that they have funding for 60 more electric buses over the next two years, so my hunch is 30 GB Kites.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 4 Dec 2025 ==


Tamworth is still supposed to be getting electric deckers for the 110, is it not?

Yes Tamworth has received funding for the 110, however I haven’t heard much progress with the charging infrastructure being installed as of yet. I also couldn’t see any work going on when I passed their depot recently.

 

[ferry58]

Will Telford get anything?

 

[joieman]

4600 has a new MOT.

 

[BusLink61]

Will Telford get anything?

I’ve not heard anything yet. Some E200’s have recently received the updated Travel Telford livery, so those won’t be going anywhere. The only fleet changes there which seem likely would be replacing the two loaned Temsas to standardise the fleet a bit more - providing they can get a couple of single decks in.

I’m not too sure if the Temsas at Telford have been used? One tracked for a day, but otherwise they haven’t been tracking since they moved from the North East.

 

[ferry58]

I think 4719 has managed 5 days in service on Telford locals. I believe 4718 hasn't been used yet...maybe soon see below. The fleet is generally pretty ancient, the lengthy 5/5A is now pretty well exclusively in the hands of 59 reg. Pulsars with the odd rattly StreetLiite thrown in.

One has apparently already arrived in the form of 4718 YJ10 DFU

I do wonder what their need for them is?

covering pulsars while the polar express is happening as arriva do the shuttles for it

 

[BusLink61]

I think 4719 has managed 5 days in service on Telford locals. I believe 4718 hasn't been used yet...maybe soon see below. The fleet is generally pretty ancient, the lengthy 5/5A is now pretty well exclusively in the hands of 59 reg. Pulsars with the odd rattly StreetLiite thrown in.

covering pulsars while the polar express is happening as arriva do the shuttles for it

The 64 plate streetlites are the same age as the newest buses at Tamworth with their E400’s, so the Telford fleet isn’t that old in comparison. I don’t know about the ones there, but the Pulsars at Derby and the ones which transferred to Tamworth this year seem to cope quite well generally, especially considering their age!

 

[ferry58]

To be fair the 5/5A is pretty reliable and, in general, the drivers certainly make the best of it. I suppose in the Arriva Midlands fleet it's only in Leicestershire do we find any new/newish buses.

 

[Mikw]

Fun and games on the 127 this evening. With a Shepshed service only going as far as Loughborough due to low battery state of charge. A disgruntled passenger launched into a rather loud rant about they should "bring back diesels" and the electric buses "are always catching fire".....

I'm pretty sure the bus was low on charge, the dashboard read 20 percent in Leicester, and 14 percent in Birstall. Wonder how this happened.

 

[Qwerty133]

Fun and games on the 127 this evening. With a Shepshed service only going as far as Loughborough due to low battery state of charge. A disgruntled passenger launched into a rather loud rant about they should "bring back diesels" and the electric buses "are always catching fire".....

I'm pretty sure the bus was low on charge, the dashboard read 20 percent in Leicester, and 14 percent in Birstall. Wonder how this happened.

The only 127 not to have gone past Loughborough according to bus times is the 16:05 which was a last minute swap so the vehicle that was eventually used was probably meant to have been returning to the depot.

 

[Mikw]

The only 127 not to have gone past Loughborough according to bus times is the 16:05 which was a last minute swap so the vehicle that was eventually used was probably meant to have been returning to the depot.

That explains it then, also explains the mood of the crowd at St Margarets as the the bus before (a Versa) pulled in to drop off passengers and then shut the door and reversed out,

 

[Qwerty133]

That explains it then, also explains the mood of the crowd at St Margarets as the the bus before (a Versa) pulled in to drop off passengers and then shut the door and reversed out,

The versa appears to have gone onto the 31A to replace a presumably broken down E400. Presumably the board on the 31A continues for more services meaning it made more sense to deploy the bus able to stay in service onto that rather than the 127.

 

[SSmith2009]

To be fair the 5/5A is pretty reliable and, in general, the drivers certainly make the best of it. I suppose in the Arriva Midlands fleet it's only in Leicestershire do we find any new/newish buses.

Most of the investment in Leicestershire over the last few years has been through government grants.

 

[joieman]

Fun and games on the 127 this evening. With a Shepshed service only going as far as Loughborough due to low battery state of charge. A disgruntled passenger launched into a rather loud rant about they should "bring back diesels" and the electric buses "are always catching fire".....

I'm pretty sure the bus was low on charge, the dashboard read 20 percent in Leicester, and 14 percent in Birstall. Wonder how this happened.

I was on that bus as well! I thought it odd that it was only going as far as Loughborough.

I think I did correctly hear that remark about diesels that I thought I heard. But with the number of diesel buses Wellglade have had go up in smoke, though...

 

[sharpley]

Drivers, depot and office staff are going on strike through December and January. Affects Thurmaston, Hinckley and Coalville operations.

Leicestershire Xmas shopping shutdown during Arriva bus workers strike

300 Arriva drivers, depot and office staff angry over inadequate pay offer

www.unitetheunion.org

Leicestershire Xmas shopping shutdown during Arriva bus workers strike​

• Friday 5 December 2025
• Share

300 Arriva drivers, depot and office staff angry over inadequate pay offer
Around 300 Leicester, Hinckley and Coalville Arriva bus workers will strike over the main Christmas shopping period, Unite, the UK’s leading union, said today.
The drivers, depot and office staff have rejected an inadequate pay offer from Arriva, which made pre-tax profits of €156m in 2024.
Unite general secretary Sharon Graham said: “Arriva makes enough profits to be able to offer these workers a fair pay rise that reflects their hard work and the rising cost of living. Unite is fully backing them as they strike for a fair pay rise.”
They will strike on 11, 12, 13, 15, 20 and 21 December and 5 and 6 January.
Unite regional officer Harj Mahi said: “Arriva is responsible for the disruption that will be caused to Christmas shoppers because it is refusing to put forward a reasonable offer out of greed.
“There is still time to resolve the dispute before strike action begins but that will require Arriva putting forward an acceptable offer.”

 

[Man of Kent]

Most of the investment in Leicestershire over the last few years has been through government grants.

This is not correct. The ZEBRA grant covers 75% of the additional cost of an electric bus over a diesel bus. The majority of the money put in comes from Arriva, who are in fact paying 125% of the cost of a diesel for each new electric bus. Arriva's share will likely have been somewhere in the order of £15m to £18m.

 

[E200MMC]

I think 4719 has managed 5 days in service on Telford locals. I believe 4718 hasn't been used yet...maybe soon see below. The fleet is generally pretty ancient, the lengthy 5/5A is now pretty well exclusively in the hands of 59 reg. Pulsars with the odd rattly StreetLiite thrown in.

covering pulsars while the polar express is happening as arriva do the shuttles for it

I have seen 4718 in use but it hasn't been tracked, but I have seen it with passengers, I know 4719 has been running on Route 3/3A and I've seen it with a paper saying '3', just a couple days ago at Telford Bus Station.

 

[K219UHA]

I have seen 4718 in use but it hasn't been tracked, but I have seen it with passengers, I know 4719 has been running on Route 3/3A and I've seen it with a paper saying '3', just a couple days ago at Telford Bus Station.

It was tracking as 'SP TD' on 29th November on route 3 Brookside. I did have a few trips after a grabbing a scene -photo here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/196463094@N07/54959031372

 

[SSmith2009]

Drivers, depot and office staff are going on strike through December and January. Affects Thurmaston, Hinckley and Coalville operations.

Leicestershire Xmas shopping shutdown during Arriva bus workers strike

300 Arriva drivers, depot and office staff angry over inadequate pay offer

www.unitetheunion.org

Strike action has been halted for now while a pay deal gets voted on.

 

[Russel]

Tamworth is still supposed to be getting electric deckers for the 110, is it not?

Yes Tamworth has received funding for the 110, however I haven’t heard much progress with the charging infrastructure being installed as of yet. I also couldn’t see any work going on when I passed their depot recently.

The electric deckers for the 110 were announced almost two years ago and there has been radio silence since then, I'm wondering if the project is dead in the water with the knackered E400s expected to just carry on...

The single decker fleet also needs looking at, it's disgraceful.

Do we know how long the E300s have left, I believe they were meant to be temporary but that was almost two years ago, they are decent buses though.

 

[BusLink61]

The electric deckers for the 110 were announced almost two years ago and there has been radio silence since then, I'm wondering if the project is dead in the water with the knackered E400s expected to just carry on...

The single decker fleet also needs looking at, it's disgraceful.

Do we know how long the E300s have left, I believe they were meant to be temporary but that was almost two years ago, they are decent buses though.

Going off how the last E300’s were withdrawn, I’d imagine MOT expiry would result in them going. 3582 has until March and 3581 has until June, so still a fair bit off that yet.

I could definitely see Citaro 3914 having another MOT before it expires in January. That one has been off at the beginning of the year. Interestingly, they’ve found some old Arriva Max paint and given the front a respray recently! It has tidied it up quite nicely in fairness.

I think Tamworth are sticking with their current fleet for now, however I do hope they receive cascades from somewhere, new vehicles entering service at Yorkshire currently will hopefully spark some fleet movements!

 

[derbyveg]

I could definitely see Citaro 3914 having another MOT before it expires in January. That one has been off at the beginning of the year. Interestingly, they’ve found some old Arriva Max paint and given the front a respray recently! It has tidied it up quite nicely in fairness.

That was due to a collision.

The electric deckers for the 110 were announced almost two years ago and there has been radio silence since then, I'm wondering if the project is dead in the water with the knackered E400s expected to just carry on...

Have electrics actually got range compatible for 110s? E400s struggle to perform to the current timetable so I cant imagine electrics being successful.

& the deckers may be knackered but in fairness they're 11 years old & the 110 is a very demanding route, they've done rather well in fairness, despite the obvious issues.

2025 has seen quite a lot of investment into new vehicles & 2026 is due to be the same, hopefully some shiny new MMCs for Tamworth... if not I'm sure derby may have some spare VDLs soon..

 

[MylesW]

Strike action has been halted for now while a pay deal gets voted on.

Just a note regarding the proposed strike dates too, this only affects non-driving staff across all 3 depots and drivers from Thurmaston depot. If the strike does still go ahead, buses should still be running from Coalville + Hinckley depots.

 

[Aethonatic]

I was on that bus as well! I thought it odd that it was only going as far as Loughborough.

I think I did correctly hear that remark about diesels that I thought I heard. But with the number of diesel buses Wellglade have had go up in smoke, though...

I always hear about diesels going up in flames, but I don't recall any instances where that's happened with electrics.

 

[Russel]

Going off how the last E300’s were withdrawn, I’d imagine MOT expiry would result in them going. 3582 has until March and 3581 has until June, so still a fair bit off that yet.

I could definitely see Citaro 3914 having another MOT before it expires in January. That one has been off at the beginning of the year. Interestingly, they’ve found some old Arriva Max paint and given the front a respray recently! It has tidied it up quite nicely in fairness.

I think Tamworth are sticking with their current fleet for now, however I do hope they receive cascades from somewhere, new vehicles entering service at Yorkshire currently will hopefully spark some fleet movements!

Just some more Pulsars to see off the Max Citaros would be good, despite not exactly being modern, the Pulsars are a much nicer bus from a passenger point of view, I really don't enjoy the Max Citaros.

That was due to a collision.

Have electrics actually got range compatible for 110s? E400s struggle to perform to the current timetable so I cant imagine electrics being successful.

& the deckers may be knackered but in fairness they're 11 years old & the 110 is a very demanding route, they've done rather well in fairness, despite the obvious issues.

2025 has seen quite a lot of investment into new vehicles & 2026 is due to be the same, hopefully some shiny new MMCs for Tamworth... if not I'm sure derby may have some spare VDLs soon..

Electrics were announced for the 110 almost two years ago, so someone must have been confident they had the range.

I know it's a demanding route, it was my local for a good few years, back in the days of the B9 Geminis, I do miss them! The E400s are just battered, inside and out and I'm seeing a lot more single decks on it over the last couple of years while E400s are put on local routes, that's quite telling...

 

[Kaliwax]

Going off how the last E300’s were withdrawn, I’d imagine MOT expiry would result in them going. 3582 has until March and 3581 has until June, so still a fair bit off that yet.

I could definitely see Citaro 3914 having another MOT before it expires in January. That one has been off at the beginning of the year. Interestingly, they’ve found some old Arriva Max paint and given the front a respray recently! It has tidied it up quite nicely in fairness.

I think Tamworth are sticking with their current fleet for now, however I do hope they receive cascades from somewhere, new vehicles entering service at Yorkshire currently will hopefully spark some fleet movements!

The 09 plate e200s/10/60 plate e200s if you want them as they are the only singles which will be leaving Yorkshire's fleet as a result of the new e200mmcs. Those e200s are extremely tired now.

 

[Russel]

The 09 plate e200s/10/60 plate e200s if you want them as they are the only singles which will be leaving Yorkshire's fleet as a result of the new e200mmcs. Those e200s are extremely tired now.

They would fit in well with the rest of the fleet in Tamworth then!