(02 Jul 2015, 8:48 pm)aureolin wrote The Geminis are as flat as a fart now. They've no power in them for a bus that's only 6 years old in most (if not all cases), and I'm convinced they're responsible for some of the issues with timekeeping on the X12. The Pulsars on the other hand can absolutely power through the route.
The 6 is a similar kettle of fish. A lot of rural areas for the bus to make up time, whether it be between villages, or on the Sunderland Bridge approach to Durham City. The Pulsars have no issues with this in my opinion, but the Lowlanders that tend to make their way on there are shockingly bad.
Having done two round trips on the X12 this week, with 7619 and 7626 I can say that there is no issue with the buses that could affect timekeeping. I ended up holding the bus at 40mph between Coxhoe and Sedgefield and then Sedgefield and Stockton and yet was still on time. I think the issue lies with the drivers not being bothered about timekeeping, hoping that they can get knocked out of service etc. 7618 is the only Gemini which has a lack of power as it does struggle on the hill beside Shincliffe Village, but 7619/26/27 are flying machines.