(11 Jan 2015, 6:36 pm)Dan wrote I don't think this provides any justice to the point you're making though. Let me turn the question around and let you answer it - why are these new buses coming now, and not when the OK1 was operational?

Well, it does - the X1 has changed since the OK1 died a death. The reorganisation that has benefited it and increased its standing as the premium service from the Wear Valley into Darlington happened in October 2013 - after the OK1 was withdrawn. Hence why the new buses are coming now - 3 years after the X1 started (by the time they arrive) - and not when the OK1 was operational. So, the commerical success the X1 made while the OK1 was operational has since been boosted to the point where it justifies investment in new stock as Scott said above.