(23 Feb 2014, 1:34 pm)Dan wrote In regards to the SPDs, Go North East have always treated them as midi-vehicles rather than full sized single deckers (Solars/Renowns as your examples). The investment costs would have been originally considered over a 12-year period rather than a 15-year period.
Therefore the SPDs, when purchased, were designed to be withdrawn in 2011/12/13. When you look at it that way, some of the SPDs have lived for 15 years whereas most of the B10BLEs will only live for the same time period (despite the original intention of having them for three years longer).
Completely different story when you look at it from that perspective...
Which SPD's have lived for 15 years?
Genuine question as I thought the oldest in the fleet was the X reg examples from 2000/2001
Using the comparison of an R reg Renown, they were here in 1998 and should outlive the oldest SPD (having outlasted the majority of batches bought since).
I agree, the cost analysis will be done over a different period of time - but two purchases of a cheaper lightweight vehicle lasting a combined 24 years, possibly works out more expensive longer term than two heavyweight vehicles lasting 30years (hard to tell given inflation).
Given the 30 year duration of two heavyweight vehicles, you need to purchase 2 ½ lighter vehicles to cover the same period.