(29 Oct 2016, 10:51 am)Michael wrote The Tyne Tees Xpress is more likely to get new buses before the Cobalt Clipper, it's only been a few years but i doubt they'll want a repeat of the B7's...
Still not sure what bus they could get in though....
It all depends on what buses a 'major' double deck order would cascade thus helping increase the life span of the TTX B9s
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If the Red Kites got a full double deck upgrade with the Streetlites being cascaded to the Blaydon Racers, then 6101(T)-02 could be transferred to Riverside (6103-6117 to Stanley) and that would cover 15 vehicles for the TEN leaving 1x short excl 6084(T). 6100 could then be transferred from Deptford which would then cover the complete PVR of 16 vehicles for the TEN with 6084(T) becoming a dedicated spare with a Tachograph to help keep the TTX B9s on the road for a bit longer.
Note the most likely role even with a new order for the Angel would be to cascade 6118-6119 to Chester Le Street as spares due to the urban nature of the route with 6120 going to Washington to assist with the Red Arrows only lacking high back seating and next stop announcements but with Wi-Fi installed. This would act as spare alongside 1x branded B9 and 1x B7 Gemini during the week + doing peak time runs if available; but forming part of the PVR on Saturdays with the 1x B7 acting as spare with OmniDekkas now to be used on the X88. 6121 could then transfer to Deptford as a last resort spare for the Fab 56 but still fitted with Wi-Fi.
As a result of the above, up to 3x B7 Geminis could be released and used elsewhere (2x from CLS + 1x being stood down as a result of 6084 becoming a dedicated TTX spare).
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If the 6/X70/X71 got an upgrade, 6107 - 6117 could transfer to Stanley with 6104-6106 making up the PVR of 16x B9TLs between Hexham / Riverside on the TEN. That would then mean 6101(T) - 6103 acting as spare vehicles subsequently taking the role of 3941/42/63/64 with 6084(T) and 6101(T) being the 2x Tachograph spares based at Riverside with 6102-03 transferring according between Riverside and Hexham as spare vehicles for the TEN. On that note, 6103 'could' be used to restore a half hourly service between Blackhall Mill and Greenside / Crawcrook towards Newcastle leaving 2x Tachograph spares between Hexham / Riverside (for both TTX / TEN with former being given preference with at least 1x Tachographed vehicle being based at Riverside at all times) + another spare between Riverside / Hexham.
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Although it would be justified to upgrade the TEN, upgrading the Cobalt Clipper would reduce fuel costs considerably given the nature of the 309/310/X39. Arriva operated lightweight DB300s on the 308 with none or very few issues issues before the B5LH's arrived and although the B9s are a good vehicle, they are a bit on the heavy side in terms the fuel for the Cobalt Clippers. Plus, the setup of the Streetdecks on the Cobalt Clippers compared to the TENs could be more restricted (if such thing exists) to save fuel costs even further.