(10 Aug 2013, 8:02 pm)Andreos1 wrote(10 Aug 2013, 4:07 pm)gtomlinson wrote I'm assuming the X9/10 is profitable? Or at the least 10 is?
I've always thought it should be treated as an Oxford Tube style service
Wouldn't necessarily have to be as large a vehicle as that or even brand new but it would certainly do a better job than B9's imo
I have wondered that too, but the only logical conclusion is the value for money they get from the vehicle over the lifetime.
If GNE ordered a handful of those for the X9/X10, where would they end up when they are cascaded amongst the fleet at the end of their TTX life?
Can you imagine one of those working a 24 around Harlow Green?
![[Image: kp04gje.JPG]](http://www.showbus.co.uk/p2005/kp04gje.JPG)
![[Image: Van_Hool_Astromega_Oxford-tube.jpg]](http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/5/54/Van_Hool_Astromega_Oxford-tube.jpg)
Although it does seem the TTX suffers reliability wise due to the B9's always being off the road, Think about the amount of Mileage one of them must do on the X9/X10 Per Week. And as we know there are 2 off the road atm awaiting repair after being involved in traffic collisions I believe. But despite that I think they were/are the perfect buy for the route. I've certainly had no problems reliability wise the few times I have used the Service. Really can't why people are complaining about the B9's.
Take the B9 Engine for example, exact same engine you'd find in a National Express Caetano Levante or a Plaxton Elite Coach and plus GNE need to cater for those who Elderly/Disabled or a Young in a Pushchair, so bus has to be low floor. Hence why they bought these in the first place as they have to meet Passenger Requirements.
I hardly think a Tri-Axle Coach would be suitable, especially when the X9/X10 serves Eldon Square, Imagine one of them doing the U-Turn at the bottom of the Bus Station, Then Reversing off the Stand, and then attempting to exit the Bus Station with oncoming traffic coming towards the Bus. It would be a Disaster.