If GNE went to ADL for bodywork, they could either save money on fuel (ADL / Cummins E400MMC) or with a slightly higher fuel burn but not much more, Scania could entice GNE to buy the Scania Chassis / Powertrain combo on the E400MMC body with potentially a good discount after Scania not only let GNE down the with the parts shortage at Stanley, but also the fact that GNE chose the Citaro over the Omnicity.
Although GNE are loyal to Wrightbus, I wouldn't consider them to be bean counters and I don't think GNE would take a massive risk with a vehicle that could be very unreliable. OK, they did with the Streetlites however, there were MASSIVE incentives at stake (BSOG etc) and that alone was more than enough and to be fair, the Streetlites despite not being the best, if set up OK, are just fine. Even if the incentives were there with the Streetdeck, it's a totally different kettle of fish as not only is the complete bus is bigger and weighs more, a double decker could potentially be carrying anywhere in the region of 70-100 passengers.
RE: Go North East: Latest News & Discussion - July 2015