(20 Aug 2015, 9:27 pm)tyresmoke wrote I think we'd need to get another 5 or 6 years out of the Solos yet, disposal around 2020 when they'll be 12 years old which you'd expect from a minibus. New E200s would be nice but I think there would be other routes in front of the 1 and 2?
The only thing that keeps me thinking the 1 and 2 would get new buses is that, because 1733/42/50 weren't withdrawn until early this year, I can see Arriva keeping the MPD's at Blyth at least through 2016, by which time the Solo's would only have 3 years left, then they would also need replacing, would it be best just to give Blyth new buses when the MPD's go, so the services don't just keep getting cast offs? (also, brand new vehicles may help with reliability, I've saw a canny few Pulsars and Commanders on there recently)