(18 Jul 2015, 4:05 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote I wouldn't think too much about that. First Bus over the last 2 or 3 years have ordered a mixture of ADL and Wrightbus. Although GNE have a good relationship with Wrightbus, they would not risk putting an underpowered and unreliable vehicle on a relatively challenging route just to save a few quid and keep good ties.
If they really want to test the Streetdeck, they should send it upto Hexham for a fortnight on the TEN (no fluid boards though!) and the Hexham Drivers (particularly ex Arriva and NMS) would be able to tell straightaway whether or not it could hack any such routes.
I would argue that the X21 is more of a demanding route than the TEN to be honest.