Manager, Darlington Depot), Nick Knox (Area Managing Director, ANE), John Anderson (Assistant Director for Policy and Regeneration), Nigel Featham
(Regional Managing Director, ANE) Jonathan Spruce (Project Director for TVBNI) and Norman Baker
Arriva North East (ANE) has announced Darlington is to join the list of locations for its Sapphire premium bus service network.
Route 7, which links the town with Durham, is to be upgraded with 10 new Wright Pulsar-bodied VDLSB200s. Due for delivery in October, onboard features will include free WiFi, electric charging points, audio-visual stop announcements and E-leather seats with extra leg room. The new Sapphire buses represent a £1.5m investment in the area on behalf of Arriva and come hot on the heels of the introduction of 11 new MAN gas buses to the town.
Nigel Featham, Regional Managing Director for ANE, said: “We’re delighted to be bringing the Sapphire brand to Darlington and Durham. It will certainly offer something different. We hope it will tempt more people to try the bus.”
The announcement was made in the presence of Transport Minister Norman Baker. An ADL E400 currently used on Arriva Wrexham – Chester route 1 was dispatched north for the occasion. The news was announced now as the Minister was in the region last week.
