(Yesterday, 2:02 pm)L469 YVK wrote I'd say the X93 needs something less than 3 year old given for a route like that, any vehicle type would be on the front line for 5-7 years.

Best option would be:

- 6x B9TL to Blyth (with Euro 6 upgrade), they would be fine on the 43/44/45 and 306/308. Blyth expresses shouldn't be too much harder.
- 6x 14/64 plate E400 classics from Blyth to Ashington for use on anything except the X14/X15/X18. Could also be used on X16/X20.
- 6x 72 plate E400MMC from Ashington to Whitby/Redcar.

The X15 and X18 also need something less than 3 year old aswell... The B9TL's at Blyth is an absolutely horrific idea aswell. Let's take away the most reliable vehicles at a depot which can't keep buses on the road as it is and replace them with the most unreliable vehicles in the fleet.

If you're going to do this.

6x B9TL -> Durham
6x 16 Plate MMC's -> Ashington
4x 72 Plate MMC's -> Redcar

Least Ashington gain some more deckers which they badly need in the process and is a fair compromise.