In terms of double deck orders, I think the following could happen:
- If Quality Contracts go ahead, then I could see the Pronto getting an upgrade with new vehicles.
- If Quality Contracts don't go ahead, I can see a major double deck vehicle order being placed next year for one of the key routes on the network with the cascaded vehicles going on the Pronto and if enough to cover the PVR, the West Durham Express services in whatever format they will be in.
And before anybody tiwggs on what route it could be, it could well be a different route that I've been on about in the past. I can tell you now that it won't be a route that I've mentioned in the past which will receive new buses. Looking at it from a business case perspective, the X21 could face competition (unlikely at the moment but never know?) from Arriva's MAX X12 and, what could GNE offer on top of free Wi-Fi and NSA's to entice people particularly on the West Durham and Stanley to Newcastle corridoor?
RE: Go North East: 2015/16 Financial Year Order Predictions