(08 Jun 2019, 9:29 am)L469 YVK wrote

Not at the moment maybe but what if the allocation of the 15x remaining deckers after the Red Kites hasn't been decided yet? Surely GNE will want to reduce the number of breakdowns & lost mileage on these routes by allocating a more suitable vehicle type.

- 8x new deckers for Castles Express

- 7x new deckers for X9 / X10

- 6301-07 & 6308-14 to Deptford for 56 (incl 1x spare)

- 6085-92 to Riverside for 6/X31

- 6093 to Riverside as spare

- 6094-98 to Hownsgill for X70/X71

- 6099 to Percy Main as additional spare

I don't see there being a more suitable vehicle type to the X9 X10 that isn't a coach. The B5s do a good job most of the time, it's a shame that there's always one needing work, but I don't think you're going to solve that by replacing new double deckers with even newer ones.

I would say there's probably a similar story with the X21. It's one of those routes where you need bulletproof engines for day in - day out business. I'd say an increase in maintenance is the way forward, rather than spending countless thousands on new buses, which will inevitably end up like the current lot. Less spending on new stuff, more spent making the current lot more reliable.