I've just noticed there while going through Bishop that the 86D to Toft Hill seems to be ran by Consett Solos now, and has been for a few weeks.

Is this a temporary change due to driver shortages or is it permanent?

(02 Oct 2021, 7:35 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I've just noticed there while going through Bishop that the 86D to Toft Hill seems to be ran by Consett Solos now, and has been for a few weeks.

Is this a temporary change due to driver shortages or is it permanent?

Well I think it would save them a lot of money, than having a ADL/WrightBus vehicle on there, as I never see it with more than 3-5 people on. 

So I would say permanent.

(02 Oct 2021, 8:38 pm)Keeiajs wrote Well I think it would save them a lot of money, than having a ADL/WrightBus vehicle on there, as I never see it with more than 3-5 people on. 

So I would say permanent.

But it just ran off one of the X21s, so I'd imagine the cost between running one of the B5s around a few times, and dragging one of the Consett Solos down miles out of the way and then sending it back is probably negligible

(02 Oct 2021, 9:05 pm)streetdeckfan wrote But it just ran off one of the X21s, so I'd imagine the cost between running one of the B5s around a few times, and dragging one of the Consett Solos down miles out of the way and then sending it back is probably negligible

It does take 20 miles/30 mins, so maybe. However the B5's are on it all night with very low passneger numbers and do then go NIS to CLS if I remember correctly and that is 20 miles, soo.... I think the Optare may have the slight edge.

(02 Oct 2021, 9:23 pm)Keeiajs wrote It does take 20 miles/30 mins, so maybe. However the B5's are on it all night with very low passneger numbers and do then go NIS to CLS if I remember correctly and that is 20 miles, soo.... I think the Optare may have the slight edge.

I believe it does that whether it's running the 86D or not

(02 Oct 2021, 9:25 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I believe it does that whether it's running the 86D or not

The last service to Bishop Auckland does, but then you also have another bus doing it aswell. 
And it is not like the 86D needed a B5.

(02 Oct 2021, 8:38 pm)Keeiajs wrote Well I think it would save them a lot of money, than having a ADL/WrightBus vehicle on there, as I never see it with more than 3-5 people on. 

So I would say permanent.

Can you elaborate/provide figures? Based on Streetdeckfan's description of how the service operated previously, I'm to be convinced that what you're suggesting is correct.

(02 Oct 2021, 10:40 pm)Adrian wrote Can you elaborate/provide figures? Based on Streetdeckfan's description of how the service operated previously, I'm to be convinced that what you're suggesting is correct.

Well I don't have any precise figures however I know a 30 seater with 3-5 people are more efficent than a 71 seater B5.

(02 Oct 2021, 10:40 pm)Adrian wrote Can you elaborate/provide figures? Based on Streetdeckfan's description of how the service operated previously, I'm to be convinced that what you're suggesting is correct.

From my experience using it pre-covid between Bishop and Woodhouse (so can't say whether they picked up further along, but considering it's a supported route I can't imagine it doing so) passenger numbers were in the low single digits.

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Been operated by Consett since last service changes

Permant change to be Consett ran so a more suitable bus can be allocated as the Xlines X21 liveried B5s struggled in parts along the route due to length of them with 6334/5 regularly being allocated to the board that dropped onto the 86D instead.

From what I've gathered the numbers on these evening supported runs is very low (hence being council supported), might as well use one of the two Sprinters tbh although think contract spec is minimum 19 pax which I can't imagine it ever gets anywhere near at any one time or even with all the runs combined most nights.

Seemingly settled down to be a Venture Solo SR however the ex London B7TL Geminis seemed to be allocated in the first week of Consett operation.