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Looks to be one of those rumoured for Arriva North West judging by the fleet number 471-

Arrived today, fleet numbered as 4713 iirc so seems to be part of the batch due for ANW.

Any reason why it's at Ashington, seems a bit of random detour if it's heading to the North West assuming from N. Ireland.

Possibly a quick trial on the X15/X18 first?

The rest of these are due to enter service in Liverpool on Saturday (22/1), full batch is 4710-4733

About time we had some new buses in the North East. Last batch was in 2017.

Passed this on the A19 southbound around lunchtime near Northallerton so whatever it was here for was only a brief stay

Daft thought. But given that GNE are using StreetDecks on the X1 now including extensions to Dalton Park & Peterlee, could Arriva get away with StreetDecks on the X21/X22 if they decided to order in the future?

First thoughts, the StreetDecks were only a coincidential allocation given COVID and the need to keep the X30's / X70's out of Consett depot low height deckers using the originally ordered E400MMCs. But I haven't heard any bad reports about StreetDecks yet on the X1.

Daft thought. But given that GNE are using StreetDecks on the X1 now including extensions to Dalton Park & Peterlee, could Arriva get away with StreetDecks on the X21/X22 if they decided to order in the future?

First thoughts, the StreetDecks were only a coincidential allocation given COVID and the need to keep the X30's / X70's out of Consett depot low height deckers using the originally ordered E400MMCs. But I haven't heard any bad reports about StreetDecks yet on the X1.

X1 streetdecks have been quite good. I have been on the alot never had any issues, except from reliability (towards the timetable)

X1 streetdecks have been quite good. I have been on the alot never had any issues, except from reliability (towards the timetable)

They have been better than expected! The G2s (Angels) and especially the G3s (X1/X45/X46) are decent.

E400MMCs or OM936 StreetDecks would be a sensible choice for the X15/X18/X93(X94) but a StreetDeck would cope on other major Northumbria decker routes for 7 years with appropriate cascade plans in place.