Why would GNE put modest Scanias on a service then months down the line, take them off and replace them with older vehicles? I've worked it out on the following terms below, that GNE could well end up amalgamating the section of the current 11 between Blackmall Hill and Crawcrook into the TEN group of services in the near futureand see no PVR increase during Monday to Saturday daytime. I haven't worked an evening and Sunday service out yet though but for Monday to Saturday, it would be the following:
- 10 remaining the same with a PVR of 6x B9TLs not interworking operated by Hexham.
- 10B renumbered 10A but otherwise remaining the same but with a PVR of 4x B9TLs not interworking operated by Riverside.
- NEW 10B operating the same route as the current 10A to Greenside then the same route as the 11 to Blackhall Mill.
- 10A renumbered 10C but operating via the current 11 route between Crawcrook and Greenside.
- Services 10B and 10C would operate with a PVR of 7x vehicles by Riverside and if GNE wanted to reduce costs, they could opt to use Streetlites on the 10B / 10C if any could be sourced for a decent price. This would include 1x spare available at Riverside too purchased on top of the 7x which would be TEN branded.
- Service 96 operating standalone with a PVR of 3x Scanias by Riverside. No other changes to this service.
- The only consideration would be driver changeovers for the 96 and the Q3 interworking pattern during the mornings.
This would mean the following for passengers:
- Bus up to every 15 minutes (give or take a minute or 2) between Prudhoe and Newcastle.
- 4x Buses per hour from Greenside to Newcastle.
- Buses up to every 7-8 minutes between Crawcrook, Metrocentre and Newcastle.
- Passengers would be required to change in Blaydon for buses to Scotswood Road / Newcastle Business Park off peak.
- Peak time service 11A would still run from Prudhoe to Newcastle via the Business Park.
The surplus 4x B9TL's could then do the following:
- 6071(T), 6082, 6083, 6084(T) operate Red Kite service 47 to bring it in line with the 45 / 46 (minus leather seating). However, if a VOR occurs on the TTX or the service needed regulated, then either of the 2x Tachographed vehicles would have to be swapped with a spare B7TL or B9TL.
- 6118 and 6119 would act as spare vehicles at Riverside or Hexham alongside 3941 and 3942.
- 6120 and 6121 would move to Chester Le Street to compensate for the increased PVR of the Angel after the B5LHs were ordered.
- 3963 and 3964 would transfer to Percy Main for DFDS work allowing non DDA compliant 3866 and 3867 to be withdrawn.
- 3962 and 3965 would act as designated spares for the Angel.
