(30 Jul 2014, 8:14 am)Dan wrote Back on my laptop again, so I'm now in a position to clear up a few things... It's a big one:
Next year's orders will be interesting. Considering the "shell life" of each vehicle, a total of 98 vehicles (when you exclude the three SPDs which have already been withdrawn) are due for disposal next year. All in all, I feel this goal is unachievable, but I'd imagine that GNE certainly will get the majority, if not all, of those Dennis Tridents withdrawn, in addition to the Volvo B10BLEs. As you can imagine, it's going to be pretty difficult to do this, given they're in a 'spare role', and a lot of those vehicles will work double-decker scholar services. It's far too early for the "Red Arrows" branded Volvo B9TLs to take this role, and we've just seven Volvo B7TLs on the Wright Eclipse Gemini bodywork which should be taking a more backseat role in the coming years given their age. In addition to the aforementioned 98 vehicles, GNE should also make a start on withdrawing the Dennis MPD vehicles, though I can't help but feel that they will be withdrawn all in one go, in 2016...
Bloody Hell, 98 Vehicles in Total to be Withdrawn, I think it will only be Achievable if Go North East were to Buy more Red Spares, rather than Buying New Vehicles for Branded Services as I mentioned on the "Fleet Order Prediction Thread" the other day, Furthermore depending on the Orders for this Year are, will depend on what Cascades/Repaints occur.
I personally think it would be a wise decision by Go North East to Buy at least 25% of This Years Orders as Red Spares, to then aid Withdrawal of Older Vehicles, without reducing the Number of Red/Northern Spares in the Process, and depending on where Vehicles are Allocated, some Services will see an Upgrade either way.