(20 Feb 2020, 11:49 pm)Jimmi wrote I still don't understand why we didn't go for the B9s from Yorkshire for the summer X93s, 1808 performed well when I rode it on there, sadly fear the fact the engine went during the trial made them an unattractive option compared to the B7s Arriva were gonna get for the North East anyway, so probs thought might as well use them, same spec (with addition of USBs) didn't help those B9s had already been refurbished so wouldn't have been a good case to then refurb them again.

I honestly don't know what Arriva could go with for the X93 now, E400s just die when they see a hill which is in no way ideal on the X93, I wasn't impressed with the StreetDeck demo on the hills either so that leaves not much suitable you could realistically go for, think E400s would have to suffice.

I think newer E400s would be the best bet for the X93 when it requires new vehicles. 

I've had both 14 and 64 plates on the X18 recently that have performed well up hills and manage to reach 60+ no problem along straights. Wherever I've had an MMC they've also performed well, and I imagine if they were bought for the X93 Arriva would spec the gearbox correctly. 

Add to the fact that Wright build quality was awful before they went under and that we don't have a clue what it'll be like under new ownership, while ADL products now are very solid, everything seems to point to MMCs.