(20 Aug 2014, 2:13 pm)Dan wrote Perhaps slightly exaggerated, there, Adam! The only DAF SB120 which regularly receives attention from DiagTest is 8250, which is undergoing repairs after its minor engine bay fire in June of this year.
Maybe just a bit exaggerated, 2 have caught fire so far this year though, so I say there reliability is Arguable, but I genuinely prefer the MPD's which were used previously on the M2/M3, Before being Withdrawn/Cascaded to North Tyne Links Network.
(20 Aug 2014, 2:13 pm)Dan wrote Services M2/M3 and W5/W6 aren't some of Go North East's most profitable routes;
I would agree if we were talking about just the W5/W6, But the M2/M3 is usually quite Busy between Birtley and Concord, not so much between Concord and Heworth due to the more frequent and faster Service 4, but nevertheless the loading are not that bad, obviously profitable enough for a Service Every 15 Minutes.
(20 Aug 2014, 2:13 pm)Dan wrote I'd suggest that you don't believe all you hear. As I said above, the loadings (and thus the profit levels) do not justify brand new vehicles on these services. I have previously suggested that, when the "QuayLink" contract comes up for renewal (2015) and newer stock is either brought in or GNE loses the contract, the Optare Versa vehicles would cascade to services M2/M3 following the trial of midi-sized vehicles (the DAF SB120s) last year. However, we have recently discussed the future of the "QuayLink", and this may mean that things could work out slightly differently...
I haven't heard anything rumored, and if I did I would take it with a pinch of salt, but then again I don't go around pestering the Drivers while they are on Duty, and trying to operate a Service to Schedule, in an attempt to try and find out details on future fleet arrivals in the Fleet, as Anthony often does, as I bump into him on a Regular Basis at The Galleries, and he tells me he heard this and that, here and there etc.
I would like to see the M2/M3 Receive Investment this Year, but I don't Optare Solos would be suitable at all, I would like Citaros K's and who wouldn't, but I don't think the M2/M3 is Sustainable of that sort of Investment which is why I think Versas would be the best option or Enviro 200's, and I just wouldn't go for Wright Steetlites as they've just been Problematic from the get go on the Drifter and Saltwell Park.