(03 Feb 2017, 6:41 pm)Adrian That is the same 9 I was going to list, going by what is on their fleet list. So 4x SE710s and 5x M850s?

(03 Feb 2017, 9:43 pm)South Tyne Lad 4 M710SE's and 5 M925's  is whats coming, The M925's feature the optional 201hp , 5.9L Cummins ISBe in them instead of the standard Mercedes, As they were new for long distance service's at Western Greyhound.

(03 Feb 2017, 9:54 pm)S813 FVK They are M950s not M925s - same length as the majority of Arrivas solos.

(03 Feb 2017, 10:17 pm)South Tyne Lad There M920's, plus a .3m longer overhang due to the Cummins  

Due to this, They should be around the same size internally as a M925.

(02 Feb 2017, 12:38 pm)Jamie M You never guess what..

Durham bus station [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

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(03 Feb 2017, 11:58 pm)BusLoverMum About blinking time.

(04 Feb 2017, 12:09 am)Jamie M It's a huge thing mind. Not practical for on the go, only practical for the dinner table! It's as bad as the 309/310 - just a note of caution for big and little [SMILING FACE WITH OPEN MOUTH]

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(04 Feb 2017, 2:12 pm)BusLoverMum Details, details

(03 Feb 2017, 11:26 pm)park5354 5281 has been debranded and replaced 5310 on service 27.

(04 Feb 2017, 7:06 pm)G-CPTN Some on here have predicted the end of the B9TLs on the TEN, but IMO they are just fine (apart from the occasional cooling system overflow).

(04 Feb 2017, 8:37 pm)L469 YVK What???? (Not at you by the way)

The only 2x that people would most likely concerned about due to the 'extra piece of equipment' allowing them to bail out 6043-48 would be 6071/84.

I can't imagine GNE removing the B9TLs of the TEN yet not until next year at least unless a cascade is in the pipeline and GNE have decided not to make 'fuel savings' from other potential easier routes in terms of new buses.

(04 Feb 2017, 10:27 pm)S813 FVK I think the only reason that the TEN has been suggested for an investment is because there are not enough vehicles with the same features to cover the PVR. Percy Main do have enough, it just means losing one of their spares.

(04 Feb 2017, 11:18 pm)L469 YVK Not for or against any particular route receiving investment and I'd actually be sad to see the B9TLs go and be replaced by Streetdecks.

But, it would be like Arriva back in 2013 buying B5LHs for the X10/X11 instead of the 308 which is a more urban style route with more stop start and fewer demanding sections of route.

Although the TEN isn't too challenging of a route between Newcastle and Crawcrook, the sections between there and Hexham as well as between Greenside and Blackhall Mill can get a bit choppy and that is what the B9TL is suited for. Using a Streetdeck on them sections of route will only save a small fortune as opposed to a more urban style route with fewer challenging sections and more 'plonking around the doors'.

Plus, why did GNE intend to retrofit flywheels on brand new vehicles? Although they were new vehicles at the time, GNE only ordered deckers from Wrightbus and considering what was on the market at the time the orders got placed around the summer of 2013 (production of liightweight DB300s coming to a close and no Streetdeck or B5TL Gemini 3 established and latter would only in testing stages), the B9TL was the only vehicle available to order from Wrightbus and that alone with GNE's relationship may (although not certain) have had some influence on the order.

At the end of the day, it would work out either way whatever route provided a cascade (if any) but one option would additionally release extra spare vehicles for Riverside / Hexham (as well as making up TEN PVR) and allow an additional year or two 'grace period' for suitable replacements for 6043-48 to be found with extra suitable spare vehicles available in the short term.

I'll leave it at that and see what materialises between now and May if anything.