(08 Jun 2019, 1:33 pm)Jamie M wrote

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.

Agree - what both services need, in my opinion, is a dedicated spare vehicle of the same specification.

Clearly 6332 has served this purpose at Crook for some time now, although now forms part of the PVR at Crook itself. I'd say things seemed to go much smoothly once 6332 was made available as the preferred spare vehicle for the X21.