(06 May 2015, 7:40 pm)G-CPTN wrote Too true - even I ponder whether a B9TL (engine) is necessary when I hear (and feel the heat) as they pass me when I am walking nearby.All depends. If a sensible operator like GNE who:
Of course the vehicle needs to be able to keep to the timetable (and allow for delays so it can catch up).
You could say that any vehicle that has the performance to achieve the timetable times most of the time is 'adequate'.
You could stretch the timetable, but we see GNE offering 'faster journey times' (than Arriva) between Ncle and Hexham (X84/X85) so there is an optimum journey time.
Just to say that I consider the B9TLs to be ideal for the TEN - I would not want the sort of performance I experienced on the Routemaster up through Sunniside - that would be unacceptable IMO.
- Has no Ecosystems (bar RIBAS monitoring) affecting the performance of the bus
- Looks after them properly
- Has good maintenance schedules (I.e, 1 spare for every 7 or 8)
Then lightweight buses (bar the TTX and that kinda includes the B9 to an extent) are fine.
For example, 7501 - 7506 were underperforming on the 308 after 2 1/2 years but at the same time, they weren't being looked after properly by Blyth and were in a right state under the bonnet.