(23 Jul 2017, 12:25 pm)Jimmi wrote I also can't see how 7509 could be classed as a spare considering it's specific route branded for that service and probably saw just as much use as the other Sapphire 57 plates, surely by this logic, does this make 1516 Darlington's Sapphire spare, considering it is also fully route branded? 

(23 Jul 2017, 12:40 pm)mb134 wrote I *think* that only 12 were ordered as this covers the PVR of the 43/44/45. I'd hope they give the 14 plates white destinations and the new livery soon.

I agree that 7509 is no more a spare vehicle than any other X21/2 branded example however I think the point trying to be made is that currently there is an extra X21/2 branded vehicle for the PVR as well as 7518 being the official spare. If by some miracle at any one time all vehicles were on the road - then there would be two vehicles left in the depot a X21/2 branded (7509 or any other) and the spare 7518.

It seems likely that with the less reliable 57-reg buses moving that rather than having 2 'spares' for the X21/2 and no spares for the 43/44/45 (12 new buses displace 12 buses to cover a PVR of 12) that an additional vehicle will transfer to Jesmond.