(20 Apr 2020, 8:52 pm)Andreos1 wrote It was a mixed allocation at one point. Not enough Mercs, so they stuck Solars on to make up the PVR.They did try to sort allocation out by proposing 35 being curtailed at Sunderland and increasing frequency of the 20. All the citaros were to be allocated to 35 and the remaining L94 to make up PVR increase on 20.
All downhill from there. There's been all sorts of changes and variations to what was (apparently) a very popular, money making group of services.
The Mercs went to other depots, the route was reduced in frequency and now it is entirely made up of Solars - bar a few boards which run on to contracted runs.
Not sure if it was an intentional downgrade or simply a consequence of the eminox upgrade contract specs.
However customers rejected the proposal in consultation. The exhaust modifications not long followed, so they had to be allocated to Sunderland services. Same as the Green Arrow L94 had to be allocated to Gateshead services
The original proposed changes were implemented in 2014 possibly? Then obviously the Streetlites came in 2016. As the solars had to remain at Deptford as per contract, I believe the citaros were shipped out to upgrade other services.
Correct me if wrong peeps but think that was general jist
(20 Apr 2020, 8:23 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote Is the 35 one of the most downgraded routes in the network? I remember when it was the Laser with new Mercs....can't remember now but did the downgrade to Solars coincide with the loss of the Shields section, or something else? Presume the route that remains is (in normal times - not re Covid) not lucrative hence the downgrade if so?
Angel was just as downgraded prior to B5s being received in 2012...