(09 Jan 2020, 10:08 pm)JP6004 wrote Bloody hell, they not even been delivered and tour already slating them
The issue is that there isn't really one bus that would be perfect for routes like the X21 which operate in a busy city centre, on a motorway, poor quality fast A roads, and also very tight estates.
There are always going to be compromises, do I think the StreetDeck is the perfect bus? No, but I do think it compromises the least.
The E400 would be a solid second choice, but as I've said in the past, having a low height vehicle on a route that doesn't need it is a compromise too much. The stealth B5s are too uncomfortable and too loud, the B9s are too cramped, a small part of me quite likes the Omnidekkas, but they're too rattly and 'old' for a flagship service, and don't even get me started on the B7s!
Since I've basically gone through all the double deckers, I might as well go through the things I don't like about the single deckers as well!
The Streetlites rattle far too much, the E200's creaky windows make them unbearable to ride, the Citaro's seats are quite possibly the worst seats I've ever had the displeasure of sitting on, the Versas feel like they're about to fall apart, same with the Omnicitys, the L94s are way past their sell by date (although still better than some newer vehicles!), and I will not allow myself to dislike a Solo (in particular the M710s, they are hilarious)