At this stage I really don't see the issue with the age of most of GNE's fleet (aside from a few examples such as the oldest OmniDekka's), for someone the size of and network of GNE its about right really, the ex London cast offs coming in within the last year or so are still argubly considered an improvement over the previous 06 plate B7TLs which weren't particularly quick despite sounding like "Jet Engines" as quoted by frustrated residents who now have them at Go South Coast.
Whilst the interiors could probs be a bit nicer, at very least the B9TLs have been converted to single door unlike most of the cascades to come in the last few years which when in normal service are a right faff on, confusing and questionable on accessibility owing to ramp being at the centre door which generally aren't used owing to safety reasons.
State Of The Fleet