(21 Aug 2021, 8:25 pm)Ambassador wrote That’s kinda the point. The pandemic has changed life forever but it’s also been used as a wonderful excuse to downsize and make ‘efficiencies’ across the board in many businesses. Whilst there’s no sound industries have suffered it’s a marvellously convenient excuse.
That's if you believe Covid is the reason for the cuts though. The Crusader buses were painted last Summer pretty early on and there was enough for the 27 only and the North Tyneside changes got through before the pandemic and they weren't too dissimilar to what's happening elsewhere and from what I'm aware there wasn't any new orders cancelled so the changes for the LEZ would've happened regardless.
Bus operators weren't allowed to make changes during the pandemic so imo it's just delayed because of Covid.
Also to the Arriva comment as I didn't quote beforehand the 356 changes were the early 10's they went through a few variations though so not sure when the last one went through tbh with the 56, X6 then the final 54 as of now believe it came with the 52 after the infamous shambles of the X4, X5/X6 diversion around the world farce.