(17 Jan 2024, 10:58 pm)Storx wrote In fairness, I'm surprised Deptford (maybe technical I don't know?) isn't sustainable for some form of electric buses.

The 2/2A, 56 and 60 seem the sort of routes which would be ideal for it and would benefit many different areas and even Newcastle if the 56 was chosen. Seem more beneficial than the X66 which people are on for 10 minutes max.

All 3 routes are pretty much crying out for investment aswell really with those buses displaced to see off Versa's etc.

Deptford depot ATM is the black sheep of the company  just like percy main was years ago in relation to the aging fleet.

I may be cynical but it is good in business terms that Deptford currently gets the mid term "older buses" 

We are only looking 15-20 years ago that Deptford had a massive investment of brand new buses to the area...   it is other depot terms 

Deptford Consett and Washington (and an odd couple of routes at Percy Main) are the main routes that do not have to be euro6 compliant aka able to drive in Gateshead/NEWCASTLE 

With this in mind older fleet is better re-purposed with the least restrictions. 

41/41a has some of the worst buses in the fleet operating on the route as well as collectively the North Tyneside schools and works services 

Look back to Covid 19 bus depots were closed and used as storage and every bus that was the best value for money aka cost per mile in fuel and operating costs was used to provide a service everything else was SORN 

There is also another aspect to consider if a service route which I think (Seaham 60 service and Murton) are prone to random smashed windows which buses are cheaper to replace in terms of windows?

Just remember when the Quayside buses before Electric (yellow and black livery) were displaced to 41 41a and Percy Main when the Electric buses came in but they didn't stay for long.and were moved on. 

X66 funding I am actually in favour for - it's an express route but means It could be interworked or extended in the future 

What says in the future the X66 does not operate Gateshead -  metrocentre  a (x100 ) (new fictional service) Metrocentre to Eldon Square (DIrect) 

After all from 1st Jan 2024 GNE will not accept Stagecoach tickets on their services (a gentlemen agreement during covid) 

Two express routes will also improve reliability (your next service 10 is terminating at Metrocentre jump on this X100 to metrocentre where the bus will meet you) 

Improving X66 gives flexibility to displace onto other services or let it interwork