(19 Apr 2022, 1:55 pm)L469 YVK wrote I agree with you there and actually been thinking that myself. Never been a fan of the Volvo B5TLs though if I'm honest. However, the G2 StreetDecks did well on the X21.
I do hope that if there are future service changes that GNE review and re-allocate a more suitable type for the X21 either in the form of newer StreetDecks or E400MMCs. The X21 has never had a solid allocation of trusted vehicles even dating back to the Pronto days.
The fact that GNE were contemplating a replacement for the B5TLs on the X9/X10 when they were barely 2 year old (that was just before COVID & the coaches.......no doubt would've ended up with OM936 StreetDecks if not for COVID) speaks volumes. The B9TLs they replaced although with a struggle, lasted 5 years on the X9/X10.
I'm not a fan of the B5s either, but having used them regularly for quite a while now, I do think they're fairly well suited to the X21. And I'd certainly take them over an E400, unless they opted for the full height variants.
In fact, I'm probably at the point where I'd take the B5s over the 67 plate StreetDecks on the X21 since they're so much nicer on the motorway, even though it's only a relatively short section of the route. But I'd certainly take the new batch over the B5s
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