(04 Feb 2014, 9:09 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I can't see the cobalt connect Omnicity moving anywhere, there's no pint - they're doing a job just fine.
The 9 is flexible, currently allocated the omnicitys but there's no really need to keep them on there I suppose. So eight of them moving over to Stanley could be an option fro West Durham Swift but nine vehicles are required, but eight 'reliable*' vehicles will certainly be a good thing for that route. There's also the original question of does it require deckers? The reason for removing the Omnicitys in the first place.
*I know people question the reliability of the omnicitys and problems have been known previously but the omnicitys appeared to a whole lot more reliable than the current allocation of presidents on X30/X31/X70/X71.
IF, and it's a big if, this does happen then what do you allocate to the 9? Solars?
Going a little of topic now, but I do wonder if GNE are considering in investing in some new deckers? I know we've seen Fab56/Cobalt Clipper get new deckers, but it's reliability of the Presidents, Vykings and a lot of GNE doubled decked fleet that are becoming an issue.
Could TTX/Red Arrows get something new this year allowing some to transfer to Pronto or X30/X31/X70/X71 (if it does require deckers).
If this forum and the GNE Facebook page are anything to go buy it would seem that WearTess Xpress, Pronto, West Durham Swift, Service 13/14 are the ones were reliability, breakdowns are becoming real problems. (Although recent timetable changes seem to have improved the latter, but breakdowns were very frequent).
Dont forget the Lime, a service which needs some new buses, I was very shocked, when new buses are popping up all other the place on Saltwell park, connections 4 (metrolink), and drifter, when the Lime should have got new buses long before the first two I mentioned.
Same with Venture, what was the point in getting rid of mini darts which have a few year service left him, to spend money on more small buses, cascaded down etc, when more 'prime' services need money spend on them, ie Lime, West durham swift, Pronto, WTX, there spending money on Venture.
Even cascading the Omnicities to services like Why Aye 5O, when theres nothing wrong with the buses on there, These buses are need in other places, not on services that havent had there current buses for that long! I remember when they took the solars off the Fab57, and now everyday Im reading stuff about those dual door renowns not turning up or going missing or blowing up.
Doesnt make any sense to me, I might be wrong and im sure there are reasons for these decisions that I dont know nothing about.
Just seems crazy that there are Northern branded Omnicities flying around when Pronto keeps blowing up, The lime got its buses from Beamish, the Venture buses look like something off Back to the future, and the WTX still hasnt managed a full journey without a problem.