(16 Jul 2020, 5:32 pm)mb134 wrote Though the B5s aren't suited at all to the X9/X10 - as has been shown by the numerous reliability issues over the past few years, and their occasionally glacial performance - when they're running well they're solid enough buses. In the past few weeks I've had 6308, 6314 and 6334 - all three of which held at least 55mph along the flat, and they weren't terrible on the inclines in any way.How did they perform on the Tyne Valley Ten 10 / 10A during lockdown? To be fair, I don't think they'll be too bad and in all fairness for routes like the X9 & X10, the only double deck vehicle ever operated on there that has performed well is the Volvo Olympian NC Palatine II.
The X21, particularly the Newcastle to Durham stretch, is something B5s should handle reasonably easily. Reliability should improve too with it being a far less strenuous route.
I'd agree though that E400 MMCs would, in an ideal world, be the best option for it - they're by far the best decker on the market currently (though I really do not know the custom on the route well enough to argue for or against how often it should be getting new vehicles).
RE: New StreetDecks & ADL Enviro400s - X-lines fleet changes