(15 Jul 2020, 9:46 pm)L469 YVK wrote So if the X9/X10 Volvo B5TLs end up on the X21, how will they cope? Did they perform well on the 10/10A during the initial lockdown?
What will be the long term plan for the X21 should demand return? I can't see the B5TLs being at their best past the 5 year mark on a route like the X21 even more so with it now serving West Auckland now.
The X21 still has about 10 miles of 50/70mph dual carriageway plus another few miles of fast single carriageway A roads, with some quite steep banks (although not as bad as some other routes).
To me, the main area where I'd like to see what the B5s are like is ride comfort and the noise inside. On the common sections of the X21 and X9/X10 through Newcastle/Gateshead, the B5s are far more uncomfortable and louder than the StreetDecks (in my opinion anyway).
No doubt on the Motorway sections they'll probably be nicer, but once you get past The Honest Lawyer the road quality is shockingly bad, the StreetDecks just about cope with it so It'd be interesting to see what the B5s are like.