(09 May 2020, 8:02 pm)Andreos1 wrote Think you misunderstood. I was referring to the combined Merc and Omni capacity vs the Streetlite. 

However, the point you make about the misconception between the capacities is interesting. 
The streetlites may have a larger capacity, but they're also shorter and not as wide as the Mercs. 
Social distancing on a Merc may be easier than on a Streetlite. Even with the fewer seats. Perhaps?

One bus would need to be some size to be the same capacity of seven single-decks... hence my assumption your point was about capacity differences between the vehicle types, not overall.

Clearly you think otherwise based on your observation, but recorded passenger loadings would suggest there is no demand at present for more than what is currently being provided. If there was, it'd be running (timetables are very slack at the moment due to the reduced traffic on the roads, and if there is a large amount of layover that could be put to greater use, it'd be used). This of course may change dependent on the content of the UK Government announcement tomorrow, but as Go North East are providing dedicated "hot spares" at key bus stations over the morning and evening peak from Monday, with buses reinstated specifically for this purpose, there's nothing to stop duplicates being operated using these buses (where required) off-peak too. There have been instances of this for other services in the Gateshead area, utilising scholars buses.

I'd disagree that on the point of social distancing being easier in a Citaro. Appreciate the point about width, but there is only 0.2m difference in length between the two vehicles, and the unusual seating layout on the Mercedes Citaros means that there's not much choice for seats! I'm sure you're well acquainted but for the benefit of others who might not be so familiar, see photo below:

Interior shot of Go North East's 5368, Mercedes Citaro 0530N/Mercedes Citaro by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

The two 'quadrant' seats towards the back of the bus, which ordinarily provide eight seats, would reduce to just two under social distancing guidelines. Similarly the back row only has four seats on these Citaros, whereas most buses have five seats at the back (so you'd be more likely to get three people on the back row instead of just two).

The benefit of the Streetlites is that all of the seats are front-facing. In theory passengers are able to alternate between aisle-side and window-side on each row of seats to conform with the Department for Transport's guidance on social distancing on buses, so more passengers can travel. In reality, as streetdeckfan has already mentioned, most passengers aren't doing this (but bus operators can't be expected to police this).