(19 Oct 2016, 5:10 am)Dan wrote I hadn't previously confirmed, but yes, Deptford Drivers were informed about a month ago that they would be taking on all boards of service 9 (including those to North Shields), and have hence been route learning for the past few weeks.
In the interests of fleet standardisation at each depot (that old chestnut), I'd suggest it would make more sense for both 5248 and 5249 to transfer to Washington, replacing two L94s. Washington have now had this vehicle type in their fleet for six months, so know what the common defects are on this vehicle type and how to repair them quickly and efficiently (in terms of cost). All of the OmniCitys at Washington are having work done to them at the moment, hence the regular allocation of 4961-63 to the "Whey Aye Five 0" services.
That will mean Washington have one less vehicle type to worry about (the transfer of 4963 to Percy Main previously mentioned is still outstanding - ie there'd be no Scania L94s housed at Washington), and they can consistently allocate the same vehicle type to deputise for branded vehicles (5248/49 for services 5/50, 5324 for service 4, 3943 for service X1, 705 for the indiGo network, etc).
I would imagine the 2 Scania's from Percy Main will go to Deptford as spares?, as IF the 9 is going to be ran by Deptford Scania's they'll only be 2 left overall, after the 9, X36 and 39 allocations?
So sending the Scania's to Deptford seems logicaly..
Is the 9 still interworking with scholars, just checking as the timetable suggests its not.