(05 Jan 2020, 1:34 pm)Michael wrote They'll be upgraded once the Streetdecks arrive, that was confirmed ages ago. (March is the rumoured month they'll start arriving)

Streetlites from the Red kite apparently going to Deptford for the 35.

 So they'll either be 69 plates or 20 plates

(05 Jan 2020, 1:29 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The issue is that most services need to be double deckers during peak time, but for the rest of the day they could probably get away with a Solo.
The X21 for instance, during peak times the StreetDecks are crammed, but the rest of the day they're not even half full. (I'm on the X21 now and so far, I think the passenger count has averaged 10)

But then you have the question is it worth it to fully upgrade to deckers and carry around the extra weight the rest of the day, or to have a few deckers that are on the peak runs with single deckers making up the rest of the PVR, like what Arriva do with the 6.

Don't get me wrong, I love nothing more than having the entire upper deck to myself on a night, but how much extra fuel is that using (as well as the additional up front cost)?

Buses were exceptionally quiet, yesterday. We did the X31/16, half an hour after you, and the X31 is often packed at that time but wasn't even half full. It picks up again around Mothers' day when people have finished paying off Christmas.

I've had a think about this although a bit long term and no, I'm not doing it from a 'route bias' haha but just more from a noticable pattern in terms of numbers.

Currently, there are 19x Volvo B9TLs at Percy Main Depot. The Coaster PVR is currently 18x vehicles.

Could it be on the cards come the 2022/23 financial year for the Cobalt & Coast services to get new vehicles (if still profitable etc) with the B9TLs going on the Coaster and the B5LHs either staying within GoNE or moving elsewhere?

Looking at it from this perspective:
- 6099-6117 will be 9 year old in 2023 and will have been refurbished for 4 years.
- 6056-70 will be over 10 year old.
- The B9TLs would still have another 6-7 year in frontline service left considering that they're heavy duty and should still be in good condition interior wise.

(16 Feb 2020, 9:07 am)L469 YVK wrote I've had a think about this although a bit long term and no, I'm not doing it from a 'route bias' haha but just more from a noticable pattern in terms of numbers.

Currently, there are 19x Volvo B9TLs at Percy Main Depot. The Coaster PVR is currently 18x vehicles.

Could it be on the cards come the 2022/23 financial year for the Cobalt & Coast services to get new vehicles (if still profitable etc) with the B9TLs going on the Coaster and the B5LHs either staying within GoNE or moving elsewhere?

Looking at it from this perspective:
- 6099-6117 will be 9 year old in 2023 and will have been refurbished for 4 years.
- 6056-70 will be over 10 year old.
- The B9TLs would still have another 6-7 year in frontline service left considering that they're heavy duty and should still be in good condition interior wise.

(16 Feb 2020, 9:07 am)L469 YVK wrote I've had a think about this although a bit long term and no, I'm not doing it from a 'route bias' haha but just more from a noticable pattern in terms of numbers.

Currently, there are 19x Volvo B9TLs at Percy Main Depot. The Coaster PVR is currently 18x vehicles.

Could it be on the cards come the 2022/23 financial year for the Cobalt & Coast services to get new vehicles (if still profitable etc) with the B9TLs going on the Coaster and the B5LHs either staying within GoNE or moving elsewhere?

Looking at it from this perspective:
- 6099-6117 will be 9 year old in 2023 and will have been refurbished for 4 years.
- 6056-70 will be over 10 year old.
- The B9TLs would still have another 6-7 year in frontline service left considering that they're heavy duty and should still be in good condition interior wise.

I think the B5s are here to stay as they're spending quite a bit of money removing the hybrid system and replacing the engine. (Or at least trialling it)

I personally prefer them over the B9s as I find the ride much smoother, but like you say the B9s are more heavy duty so may be more suitable for Coaster

I suppose it also depends what engine they put in the B5s, I know they currently struggle a bit trying to get up Knightside Gardens.
Then again, the E400s struggle up Dunston Bank and the E200s struggle up Milton Road so I don't think that's a big concern for them!

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