(31 Aug 2014, 7:03 pm)mb134 wrote The X15 will have both Omnicities and E400's so I can't see a problem? Or why Arriva would think differently for a route that is operated with those vehicles currently?
(31 Aug 2014, 7:09 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Will remain a split vehicle allocation like the X15 - I understand the present plan is to refurbish Stockton's 1441-3 for their share of the work although that could all change between now and the actual refurbishment.
Yes, I know the X15 was down to be a split allocation too, but had assumed it was mainly linked to the fact that it wasn't originally planned to give the services cascaded vehicles and the resources they had available were therefore limited.
From a capacity perspective, double decked vehicles for service X15 are more appropriate. On all of the occasions I've used service X15, I've had a full coach (or a double decker with a reasonable load). The OmniCitys do seem a lot more powerful and are able to cope with the more demanding nature of the route better, however.
I know Go North East have recently tried to avoid split allocations wherever possible, because customers become familiar with a specific vehicle type (single or double decker).
The times I've photographed service X1 outside of peaks arriving/departing at Durham, Stockton and Middlesbrough, single deckers would cope fine. During peaks, that's where the issues start, at least in my experience. Obviously service X2 carries fresh air most of the time, so there's no issues there(!) Arriva obviously have a better idea of the loadings and passenger trends than I do, but from a customer perspective (not an enthusiast perspective), I'd prefer to see a consistent allocation.