(04 Mar 2020, 12:45 pm)mb134 wrote Remember though that we've never had this level of insight before - bustimes allows us to see vehicle data that previously would have required someone to sit and jot down every single bus they saw out on a given day. I don't keep up to date with GNE operations too much, but from my understanding vehicles have been retained until the arrival of the StreetDecks, so vehicles shouldn't be working anymore than they were previously.

All operators will go through spells of having a slightly higher VOR percentage, they can't predict when a gearbox is going to fail for example. Couple that with regular servicing of vehicles and a few minor defects that drivers will refuse to take a bus with, then it appears that reliability is the issue. 

Regarding the X9/X10 specifically, while no vehicle type that's been used on there has lasted particularly long before developing issues, I think they made a mistake with the B5TLs. E400MMCs, whether the Cummins or Scania powered option, would have been the more sensible choice imo.

I wouldn't necessarily say the B5s on the X9/X10 were a mistake, they're not doing that bad to be honest, for me the issue with them is more that they're absolutely awful to ride (engine noise, ride etc.)
I think the E400MMCs would be in a similar boat, going off my experience with the ones on the X30. Obviously without trying the Scania on the route (which they're trying to do) it's impossible to say whether it would be a better choice.

The issue with the route is that it's mostly motorway so needs a vehicle that can deal with that, but it also has urban sections which vehicles that would be preferred for motorway are traditionally pretty awful at!