(26 Oct 2024, 8:02 am)L469 YVK wrote I think I got my wires crossed haha. Was more comparing the 21 & 308. Obviously the 21 has had the Brandon extension added but in general is no harder than the 308. StreetDecks should be coping fine on the 21.
As for the X21, a joint allocation of Enviros with the X10 would go someway sorting issues out, but don't know how the StreetDecks would handle the Consett & Stanley routes in turn (with low height board changes). Not as many fast or sections as the X21, but at same time would have the hills to deal with! Operationally though, it would be a hell of a lot easier managing breakdowns with depots pretty much at either end of the routes and bar the hourly sections of the X70 & X73, other parts of the routes run on common sections of route with other services.
In fairness, I don't think they are. Barely anyone uses them on interurban work as they're not good vehicles imo. The only route I can think of, off the top of my head was the Brighton Coaster service and they've been replaced already by surprise surprise E400MMC's already.
They're designed for stuff like the 39/40 in Newcastle where they potter around doing 10 mph all day imo and they'd actually be good for it aswell as you don't need a big engine for work like that.
The 21, X21 and 308 aren't those routes though. Thankfully Arriva saw sense and avoided them like the plague mostly after being pretty much 80% Wrightbus for years beforehand. Hopefully when they're replaced they get moved to the 51/52/57/93/94 where they'd actually be alright.