(27 Apr 2021, 9:51 pm)L469 YVK wrote Bar the X14, X15, X18, X20 and X93, none of the NE decker routes need anything heavier than an E400MMC coupled with ZF.
The 306 & 308 would be more than fine with StreetDecks but if Arriva ordered en masse, it wouldn't surprise me if 7541-52 ended up on either given that ZF + Stop Start (BSOG Payments) is now available and are more suited to the X21 / X22.
imo if Arriva invest again and properly (sensibly).
Arriva Blyth need a common fleet across the whole depot with 1 brand. 1, 2 (Singles) X7/X8/X9 (Mix of singles and doubles), X10/X11/308 (Deckers). Kind of want to say all electric based. BritishVolt and all that it just makes sense on a marketing point.
Arriva Ashington should have two bus types for the whole depot (High Quality Singles / Deckers).
Neither depot can allocate stuff because of how they regulate stuff so it's pointless doing brands for individual routes and it means in the case of Ashington you can give them a break. One day X15, next day X21, next day X15, next day X21 and so on so it doesn't wreck them doing the A1 every day. X14/35 working together. It might cost a bit more upfront at Ashington but you'll get longer life out of them rather than having expensive gas guzzlers after a few year doing locals aka the GNE X10/X11 B9TL's.
7541-52 will be dumped on the 43/44/45 corridor tho imo.