(03 Jun 2020, 11:00 pm)Big O wrote I remember my days at Arriva London, witnessing our B9s which are 61 plates being converted to Euro6. The B9 will retain its book value regardless of how expensive it can be to run because they're so robust and very reliable. There was a time when nearly every new Go-Ahead London bus was a B9TL. It's sad to see it not in production anymore but I can't see them getting rid of any B9 before the Omnidekkas depart. Especially the Cobalt and Coast which if I'm not wrong are high-spec.
The same can't be said about the Citaros though, I think we're well overdue another fire!
I must admit, I do still like a ride on a B9 every now and then, but I find them a bit cramped upstairs, especially the refurbed Cobalt ones, but upstairs is still the place to be as the engine is a bit too loud downstairs,
If they did the StreetDeck/Stealth Gemini 3 body on a B9, I think that would be perfect!
(03 Jun 2020, 11:11 pm)Storx wrote Just noticed I worded that bad, that was about the short X21's there not the extended runs through to Bishop. It was in reply to the suggestion for them becoming more frequent.
Tbf though it's only extra £200 a year or so to use the train, which takes 15 mins vs 50 mins for the bus. I'd personally happily walk up the hill to save an hour sitting on buses which could easily be delayed (less likely on a train) but everyone has there own opinion I suppose and I know it's a popular route as they removed the barriers at Durham because the majority of people come from Newcastle where they'd have their tickets checked to stop the congestion in Durham station.
During peak times, the extra X21s between Durham and Newcastle are definitely needed, but I do agree that during off peak times they're not really needed.