As just fourteen vehicles are now outstanding for the 2014/15 financial year, it makes sense to move on to the 2015/16 financial year order predictions...

Paired with DDA regulations coming into affect for single deckers from 1 January 2016 and likewise double deckers from 1 January 2017, final decisions for the Quality Contracts Scheme are just around the corner, so it's bound to be an interesting year on the order front.

I'm sure we'll hear all about how great it would be if the Volvo B9TLs were replaced on the X1, so fire away...

(22 May 2015, 11:19 am)Dan wrote I'm sure we'll hear all about how great it would be if the Volvo B9TLs were replaced on the X1, so fire away...

Divvint encourage him man.

(22 May 2015, 11:41 am)aureolin wrote Divvint encourage him man.

If the X1 does get any new buses anytime soon he will be thinking of where they could go next before they even enter service on the X1.

(22 May 2015, 11:45 am)Jimmi wrote If the X1 does get any new buses anytime soon he will be thinking of where they could go next before they even enter service on the X1.

could go on X21 or 1, does the X30/X31/X70/X71 warrants double deckers?

(22 May 2015, 11:50 am)cbma06 wrote could go on X21 or 1, does the X30/X31/X70/X71 warrants double deckers?

That's probably where the Omnidekkas will go (Services X30/X31/X70/X71)

---

(22 May 2015, 11:45 am)Jimmi wrote If the X1 does get any new buses anytime soon he will be thinking of where they could go next before they even enter service on the X1.

It'll probably be the X21 

(22 May 2015, 1:33 pm)Davie wrote That's probably where the Omnidekkas will go (Services X30/X31/X70/X71)

---

It'll probably be the X21 

I thought the Omnidekkas will be replacing the last lot of Volvo Olympians and some of the Dennis Tridents.

(22 May 2015, 1:47 pm)cbma06 wrote I thought the Omnidekkas will be replacing the last lot of Volvo Olympians and some of the Dennis Tridents.

Yes they are, but usually when I have seen services X30/X31/X70/X71 a Lolyne, Olypians, president or Omnicity  has been allocated 

(22 May 2015, 1:51 pm)Davie wrote Yes they are, but usually when I have seen services X30/X31/X70/X71 a Lolyne, Olypians, president or Omnicity  has been allocated 

yea, theres been a lot of dolly mixtures on those services, hope that when the omnidekkas get on, then their be a proper allocation on those services. still remember getting on those express link and superliners days gone past for the X30 and 770.

(22 May 2015, 2:24 pm)cbma06 wrote yea, theres been a lot of dolly mixtures on those services, hope that when the omnidekkas get on, then their be a proper allocation on those services. still remember getting on those express link and superliners days gone past for the X30 and 770.

They might decide to make it a single decker service meaning they use Omnicities but I doubt it 

X30/X31/X70/X71 are operated by deckers anyway alongside 3 omnicities.

(22 May 2015, 3:42 pm)Robert wrote X30/X31/X70/X71 are operated by deckers anyway alongside 3 omnicities.

Thanks for confirming that Robert!

My 2015/16 Order Prediction

15 Scania Enviro 400MMC - Crusader

• Mercedes Citaros 5310-5319 to Highwayman
  
• Wright Solars 4932/4933/4938/4940/4941/4947/4948/4967/5218/5227 & 5228 to Corporate Livery
  

15 Scania Enviro 400MMC - Red Arrows

• Volvo B7TL Wright Gemini 3943 to Corporate Livery
  
• Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2s 6001-6007 to Corporate Livery
  
• Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2s 6049-6055 to Pronto
  

9 Wright Streetlite 11.5m Micro Hybrid - The Loop

• Wright Solars 5219-5226 to Corporate Livery
  

5 Wright Streetlite 11.5m Micro Hybrid - Fab 57

• Wright Renowns 5167-5171 to Withdrawn
  

4 Wright Streetlie 11.5m Micro Hybrid - Cobalt Connect

• Scania Omnicities 5243-5246 to Corporate Livery
  

15 Wright Streetlite 11.5m Micro Hybrid - Diamond

• Mercedes Citaros 5284-5290 to Fast Cats
  
• Mercedes Citaros 5291-5296 to Waggonway
  
• Mercedes Citaro 5298/5299 to Corporate Livery
  
• Wright Solars 4955/4973/4974/4975/4976/5206/5207/5208/5209 to Corporate Livery
  

6 Optare Solo SR - Tynedale Links

• Dennis Dart MPDs 555/556/557/558/559/561 to Withdrawn
  

9 Optare Solo SR - North Tyne Links

• Dennis Dart MPDs 549/550/551/553/554/566/567/568/569 to Withdrawn
  

2 Optare Solo SR - The OK Way

• Dennis Dart MPDs 571/572 to Withdrawn
  

Total = 80 New Vehicles

(22 May 2015, 3:58 pm)Malarkey wrote My 2015/16 Order Prediction

15 Scania Enviro 400MMC - Crusader

• Mercedes Citaros 5310-5319 to Highwayman
  
• Wright Solars 4932/4933/4938/4940/4941/4947/4948/4967/5218/5227 & 5228 to Corporate Livery
  

15 Scania Enviro 400MMC - Red Arrows

• Volvo B7TL Wright Gemini 3943 to Corporate Livery
  
• Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2s 6001-6007 to Corporate Livery
  
• Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2s 6049-6055 to Pronto
  

9 Wright Streetlite 11.5m Micro Hybrid - The Loop

• Wright Solars 5219-5226 to Corporate Livery
  

5 Wright Streetlite 11.5m Micro Hybrid - Fab 57

• Wright Renowns 5167-5171 to Withdrawn
  

4 Wright Streetlie 11.5m Micro Hybrid - Cobalt Connect

• Scania Omnicities 5243-5246 to Corporate Livery
  

15 Wright Streetlite 11.5m Micro Hybrid - Diamond

• Mercedes Citaros 5284-5290 to Fast Cats
  
• Mercedes Citaros 5291-5296 to Waggonway
  
• Mercedes Citaro 5298/5299 to Corporate Livery
  
• Wright Solars 4955/4973/4974/4975/4976/5206/5207/5208/5209 to Corporate Livery
  

6 Optare Solo SR - Tynedale Links

• Dennis Dart MPDs 555/556/557/558/559/561 to Withdrawn
  

9 Optare Solo SR - North Tyne Links

• Dennis Dart MPDs 549/550/551/553/554/566/567/568/569 to Withdrawn
  

2 Optare Solo SR - The OK Way

• Dennis Dart MPDs 571/572 to Withdrawn
  

Total = 80 New Vehicles

Although I think that's a good idea, where would the spare buses go?

(22 May 2015, 4:54 pm)Davie wrote Although I think that's a good idea, where would the spare buses go?

At whichever Depot requires them to replace the Volvo B10BLE Wright Renowns.

(22 May 2015, 4:56 pm)Malarkey wrote At whichever Depot requires them to replace the Volvo B10BLE Wright Renowns.

Ahh right. I'm guessing the 6001-6007 (if it did happen) would be to replace the Lolynes?

I can't see them buying Streetlites for every single decker order for years. I know they like to keep it standard but they may not be the best buy for the routes.

(22 May 2015, 7:47 pm)Robert wrote I can't see them buying Streetlites for every single decker order for years. I know they like to keep it standard but they may not be the best buy for the routes.

I do think that having the Micro Hybrid Streetlites on the Coast & Country and the Red Kite will be a huge benefit though, as they'll have a few months of data to go on prior to placing an order for elsewhere. If they get the desired cost saving from those two routes, then I can see them following suit with the Citylink and Diamond, allowing the Mercs and Versas to be cascaded. 

(22 May 2015, 3:58 pm)Malarkey wrote My 2015/16 Order Prediction

15 Scania Enviro 400MMC - Crusader

• Mercedes Citaros 5310-5319 to Highwayman
  
• Wright Solars 4932/4933/4938/4940/4941/4947/4948/4967/5218/5227 & 5228 to Corporate Livery
  

15 Scania Enviro 400MMC - Red Arrows

• Volvo B7TL Wright Gemini 3943 to Corporate Livery
  
• Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2s 6001-6007 to Corporate Livery
  
• Volvo B9TL Wright Gemini 2s 6049-6055 to Pronto
  

9 Wright Streetlite 11.5m Micro Hybrid - The Loop

• Wright Solars 5219-5226 to Corporate Livery
  

5 Wright Streetlite 11.5m Micro Hybrid - Fab 57

• Wright Renowns 5167-5171 to Withdrawn
  

4 Wright Streetlie 11.5m Micro Hybrid - Cobalt Connect

• Scania Omnicities 5243-5246 to Corporate Livery
  

15 Wright Streetlite 11.5m Micro Hybrid - Diamond

• Mercedes Citaros 5284-5290 to Fast Cats
  
• Mercedes Citaros 5291-5296 to Waggonway
  
• Mercedes Citaro 5298/5299 to Corporate Livery
  
• Wright Solars 4955/4973/4974/4975/4976/5206/5207/5208/5209 to Corporate Livery
  

6 Optare Solo SR - Tynedale Links

• Dennis Dart MPDs 555/556/557/558/559/561 to Withdrawn
  

9 Optare Solo SR - North Tyne Links

• Dennis Dart MPDs 549/550/551/553/554/566/567/568/569 to Withdrawn
  

2 Optare Solo SR - The OK Way

• Dennis Dart MPDs 571/572 to Withdrawn
  

Total = 80 New Vehicles

If the Red Arrows get replaced, 6049 would go to Riverside as a TTX backup due to it having a Tachograph allowing 6084 to permanantly join the TEN.

(22 May 2015, 8:17 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote If the Red Arrows get replaced, 6049 would go to Riverside as a TTX backup due to it having a Tachograph allowing 6084 to permanantly join the TEN.

I think 6001-6007 would go to Crook for service X21, 6049 - 6055 to Riverside, with 6049 going onto Tyne Tees Express and 6050-6055 spares

(22 May 2015, 8:21 pm)Davie wrote I think 6001-6007 would go to Crook for service X21, 6049 - 6055 to Riverside, with 6049 going onto Tyne Tees Express and 6050-6055 spares

But why would you put the Older Batch on the X21, But not the Newer Batch of B9TLs?

(22 May 2015, 9:27 pm)Malarkey wrote But why would you put the Older Batch on the X21, But not the Newer Batch of B9TLs?

Because 6049 Tachograph meaning that could go into Tyne Tees Express livery. I'm not entirely sure what the PVR of the X21 is however, 6050-6055 could potentially transfer to Crook for service X21

(22 May 2015, 9:31 pm)Davie wrote Because 6049 Tachograph meaning that could go into Tyne Tees Express livery. I'm not entirely sure what the PVR of the X21 is however, 6050-6055 could potentially transfer to Crook for service X21

Don't see the point in having a branded spare for the TTX, branded spares just mean the chances of a branded bus appearing off route would possibly increase. Would make more sense to have it in the corprative livery so if it isn't required on the X9/X10 it can pop up on another route without the bus being in the wrong brand for that service.

(22 May 2015, 9:31 pm)Davie wrote Because 6049 Tachograph meaning that could go into Tyne Tees Express livery. I'm not entirely sure what the PVR of the X21 is however, 6050-6055 could potentially transfer to Crook for service X21

PVR is 7 for the X21, But isnt the whole reason 6084 was Transferred to Riverside and Repainted into Corporate Livery because it had a Tachograph, therefore the TTX already has a Spare and also prevented the usage of 6071 on the TTX also, while 3941/3963 and 3964 also have Tachographs and often appear on the TTX also if not required on the TEN.

(22 May 2015, 9:43 pm)Malarkey wrote PVR is 7 for the X21, But isnt the whole reason 6084 was Transferred to Riverside and Repainted into Corporate Livery because it had a Tachograph, therefore the TTX already has a Spare and also prevented the usage of 6071 on the TTX also, while 3941/3963 and 3964 also have Tachographs and often appear on the TTX also if not required on the TEN.

Isn't the PVR for the X21 actually 6? I'm not sure on that but I think it is 6 then they usually have one or two double deckers parked up in Bishop Auckland Bus Station and usually if it looks like a bus is going to arrive back in Bishop Auckland late one of the parked up buses gets sent out instead and the late bus gets parked up.

I think there is extra runs at peak times but I am not sure if these are done by Crook or Chester-le-Street.

(22 May 2015, 9:51 pm)Jimmi wrote Isn't the PVR for the X21 actually 6? I'm not sure on that but I think it is 6 then they usually have one or two double deckers parked up in Bishop Auckland Bus Station and usually if it looks like a bus is going to arrive back in Bishop Auckland late one of the parked up buses gets sent out instead and the late bus gets parked up.

I think there is extra runs at peak times but I am not sure if these are done by Crook or Chester-le-Street.

Definitely 7, just checked the NEB(GNE) Fleetlist. 

(22 May 2015, 9:51 pm)Jimmi wrote Isn't the PVR for the X21 actually 6? I'm not sure on that but I think it is 6 then they usually have one or two double deckers parked up in Bishop Auckland Bus Station and usually if it looks like a bus is going to arrive back in Bishop Auckland late one of the parked up buses gets sent out instead and the late bus gets parked up.

I think there is extra runs at peak times but I am not sure if these are done by Crook or Chester-le-Street.

(22 May 2015, 9:53 pm)Malarkey wrote Definitely 7, just checked the NEB(GNE) Fleetlist. 

X21 is 6 - 3 hour round trip. 7 branded deckers at present however.

(22 May 2015, 9:43 pm)Malarkey wrote PVR is 7 for the X21, But isnt the whole reason 6084 was Transferred to Riverside and Repainted into Corporate Livery because it had a Tachograph, therefore the TTX already has a Spare and also prevented the usage of 6071 on the TTX also, while 3941/3963 and 3964 also have Tachographs and often appear on the TTX also if not required on the TEN.

But because of this (and very frequently), the TEN is still 1 short because of the PVR increase from 13 to 14 vehicles and 6084 being needed on the TTX due to traffic and frequent RTA's.

(22 May 2015, 9:53 pm)Malarkey wrote Definitely 7, just checked the NEB(GNE) Fleetlist. 

Pvr is 6 (3hr round trip) with a branded spare making 7 branded vehicles, 6038 was used as the college dupe ( now op from chester when the X21 started serving bishop college) chester do the extra peak journeys between durham & newcastle.

(22 May 2015, 10:05 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote But because of this (and very frequently), the TEN is still 1 short because of the PVR increase from 13 to 14 vehicles and 6084 being needed on the TTX due to traffic and frequent RTA's.

Not really though as 3941/3942 were both previously Branded Spares for the TEN making a PVR of 15 alongside the B9TLs, 3941 was Repainted into Corporate Livery to make Allocations between the TEN/TTX more Flexible as were 3963/3964, while 3942 still carries a Silver Base with MetroRadio Sub-Branding rather than TEN Branding, Both Vehicles still appear on the TEN Network on a Daily Basis therefore the Allocation is as it should be with 14 Silver Vehicles and a Red Spare, so it isnt in fact 1 Vehicle short of the PVR at all.

The Pronto PVR in total is actually 7 because the X21 interworks with the X46. Therefore, the following could happen:

- 15 + 2 spare new deckers to Washington for Red Arrows.
- 6001 to 6007 to Crook alongside 3943 as a spare for Pronto Service X21.
- 6049 to Riverside for TTX spare primarily due to Tachograph.
- 6050 to Hexham and 6051 to Riverside as TEN spares.
- 6052 to Percy Main as Cobalt Clipper spare alongside 6117.
- 6053 to CLS as Angel spare alongside 3962.
- 6054 and 6055 to CLS and fitted with GKN mods for Angel to make up for PVR shortfall.
- 6084 remaining at Riverside but forming a permanent vehicle on the TEN and repainted / rebranded into TEN livery making up the PVR of 14 vehicles.

This then leaves:
- 3941, 3942, 3963, 3964, 3965

- 3941 would remain at Riverside as a Red Kite spare and last resort TEN spare. In total, Riverside would have 3 spare vehicles for a PVR of 12 B9TL routes (excluding X9 / X10 due to Tacho requirements) but 6049 would be summonsed if needed for the TTX.
- 3942 and 3963 transfer to Percy Main displacing 2x Northern Dennis Trident ELC Lolynes or Volvo B7TL Plaxton Presidents. These could be used on the scholars / Cobalt Clipper boards to keep an acceptable standard of vehicles during peak times (preferably the 16:40 and 17:40 309's from Haymarket). The 16:05 X39 from Cobalt to Newcastle and 16:10 309 from Newcastle to Blyth could be operated by some other suitable double deck vehicles or DDA compliant vehicles when the time comes due to fewer commuters at these times.
- 3964 and 3965 transfer to Percy Main displacing 2x non compliant DFDS Dennis Trident ELC Lolynes and work alongside 3890 and 3891.