(16 Dec 2015, 1:37 am)DaveyBowyer wrote I think the list seems fairly accurate TBH. I personally think GNE would've got a better deal through upgrading the Red Arrows and allowing the B9s to not only upgrade the Pronto but supplement other B5LH/B9TL routes whilst also having another tachographed vehicle which could've been used to provide backup to the TTX and help keep the B9s going for another 4-5 year.
The Streetdeck has seemed OK in the short term but long term, who knows?
I think Streetlites are OK though for what they are being a typical single decker and will suit the 20/20a fine. I just don't like the idea of a lightweight double decker tugging 70-90 passengers around on a daily basis for many years but maybe the Streetdeck will prove me wrong overtime like the Euro 5+ E400 has.
Those Volvo B9TL's probably will not last another 4/5 years on the TTX, look what happened with the Volvo B7TL's, when they had reached the age of 7/6 years old, they were frequently breaking down so I doubt Go North East wouldn't want to push the B9's to around 8 years on them routes, I imagine that in the next financial year new buses will be bought, most likely StreetDeck's.
I do worry what state StreetLite's and StreetDeck's will end up in after a fair few years in services.