(09 May 2018, 5:50 pm)L469 YVK wrote If 6301-07 ended up on either the Fab 56 or Tyne Valley Ten, that would result in a mixed allocation. But if most of the Cobalt Clipper boards were changed to become standalone (i.e not interworking), then technically there wouldn't be a mixed fleet allocation as most of the 309 journeys would be allocated B9TLs (6101-10 @ PVR 10) and most of the 310 & X39 journeys would be allocated StreetDecks (6301-07 @ PVR x7).
The only exception to the above would be during the evenings with some StreetDecks naturally changing into a 309 between 6-8pm if the timetable allowed (with some B9TLs finishing as a 310 then returning to the depot after the early evening in North Shields). This would then mean that most of the evening journeys on both services 309 and 310 would be operated by StreetDecks saving fuel as well as the extra BSOG claims.
On Sundays, the 4x last boards to return to the depot across both services (regardless if they continued to interwork on Sunday daytimes or remain standalone) would subsequently be allocated StreetDecks for the above reason.
In terms of spares, if any ex-London B9TLs become available, GNE could also do this:
Deptford:
- 1x corporate spare B9TL (6099)
- 1x 62 reg ex-London B9TL
Percy Main
- 1x corporate spare B9TL (6100)
- 1x 62 reg ex-London B9TL
You're missing an important detail that the X21 route is about 10 miles longer than the 309. That's a lot of extra BSOG payment over a day since it's done by Kilometre. It wouldn't change reliability since you're just shifting vehicles around similar work. The spare bus situation wouldn't also work in reality, since you would have to replace the current spare deckers with other spare deckers.