Jeff’s Bus Lane Awards 2007

Yes, 2007 really is drawing to a close already and it must now be time for my annual awards “ceremony”. On the red carpet this year……

Best Performing Large Company

With Go North East in a constant state of multi-coloured flux and Arriva North East only just starting to climb out of the doldrums, I think this one has to go to Stagecoach again. More new double deckers have come this year, with several other depots feeling the benefit of the subsequent cascades and even down on Teesside, where the fleet is little changed this year, things are ticking along well. Other bonuses this year have been the end of Scania N113 operation and the very sensible sale of the Darlington operations to Arriva.

Best Performing Small Company

This is getting quite hard to call, after all, there are very few half-decent independents that have not sold out to Go North East! One thoroughly excellent operator that remains independent is Leven Valley. Further heavy investment has been made in Optare Solos, all but one Cummins-powered, and all very smartly presented. Leven Valley’s services have a reputation for being very reliable and charge reasonable fares, resulting in happy passengers.

Most Improved Company

Bit of a speculative one, here – Arriva! A change of management seems to have helped kick-start things, with new route branding schemes, new vehicles being delivered and the promise of some very worthwhile timetable improvements in North Northumberland. There is still a long way to go, obviously, but the signs are now good.

Most Under-whelming Company

If ever an operator proved that not operating your council contracts properly will see you lose them quickly it was Alrite Travel this year. Having failed to bother operating much of their commercial service 23 in its final incarnation before total withdrawal, Alrite went on to lose the contracts for the 588/589, 794/795 and the 750. They are now left with only their Teesside Park service 66, which has a reputation for erratic punctuality and questionable reliability and the presentation of their service vehicles is not as good as it once was. The coaching side seems to perform rather better – perhaps this is what they ought to stick to!

The Most Impressive New Purchase by a North East Company

This probably has to be the Mercedes Citaros that Go North East have put to work on their Red Arrows routes. They sound rather more “proper” than most modern vehicles and seem to be well built. It’s just a shame about the weird and wacky seating arrangement at the rear end – makes you wonder whether the Mercedes Benz design office was relocated to the local bierkeller at the vital moment!

The Most Impressive Second Hand Purchase by a North East Company

For me (and many other people who grew up on Teesside) it is heart-warming to see former Cleveland Transit Dennis Dominator H221 (C221WAJ) return to the region with Kingsleys of Birtley. Dominators are getting less and less common, Cleveland Transit ones especially so, so it is pleasing that this one has ended up with a good operator who will almost certainly not let it go to wreck and ruin for no reason.

The Most Missed Withdrawal of the Year

This just has to be Arriva Northumbria “celebrity” Leyland Olympian / Roe 7293 (CUB68Y). Somehow this outlasted its sisters by a considerable margin and has now been sent up to Arriva Scotland West for further service. Just goes to show, you can’t keep a good bus down!

The Least Missed Withdrawal of the Year

Arriva North East made the highly sensible decision to retire its short-lived ex Arriva North West Volvo B6s. Most have become driver trainers, while others have been shipped off to Scotland, both much to the relief of passengers’ bottoms across County Durham!