(02 Nov 2022, 8:21 am)JoshP wrote Is Darlington now totally Solo free or are they retaining any of the 11/61 plates?

(04 Nov 2022, 7:45 pm)9920up wrote Darlington remains reliant on Solos. There are still around 6 in operation with no current prospect of removal. Other plans must be in the pipeline for replacement.  Many Darlington services are already on reduced frequencies and are operating on temporary 50 % ( or so) timetables. The 2, 4, 9, 10, 13a, 13b are examples.  There is no scope within the current fleet to allow a return normal levels even when driver availability allows.  So,add in the needs of Ashington and Durham and clearly something will have to be done.

According to BusTimes the only ones still in use at Darlington within the past couple days are 2833, 2841, 2857 and 2858. 2860/61/64/65 have transferred to Durham - two of which appear to be tracking as 2850/2851.

2857/58 are in the Reserve fleet - looks like they'll stay at Darlington for the time being. 2833/41 are down to be withdrawn, perhaps being retained because 1593/94 appear to be off road or maybe as repaint floats. 

I would hardly say Darlington are 'reliant' on Solos. 

As for the reduced frequencies, other than the 2/2a, I can see the rest being permanent now or at least semi-permanent, 'normal levels' aren't really a thing anymore, it's been 2 and a half years now. Maybe in the next 12-18 months if driver shortages improve they'll get another fleet of MMC's and re-increase them if they're making that much money and/or the MMC's are at capacity on the current frequencies. But the 08 plate Solo's are done and Darlington is largely Solo free.   

Once all the 08 plates are withdrawn as intended there should only be 
2601-3 - At Walkergate for the 553
2837 - At Walkergate for the 555
2852-56 - At Ashington for the 57/57A
2857/58 - Reserve for use across Durham County
2859-61/64-69 - At Durham for the 49/49A/57/57A
2862/63/70/71 - At Whitby for the 95