(19 Jul 2020, 10:03 pm)Ambassador wrote Bear with as catching up here...
Is the 53/54 that profitable? I know it runs through pretty much the poorest parts of Gateshead so public transport usage is naturally higher but it feels like it’s had fairly regular upgrades or at least improvements over the years versus the rest of the Gateshead and now Riverside network.
Or is it a case of government handouts and the only suitable route for free cash is this one? /cynic
My guess is they chose the 53/54 because it's a fairly simple, short route which would suit an EV pretty well. It's not far back to the depot if there was an issue with the new vehicles, most of the route is either city centre or going round the streets, both areas where stopping and starting is very common, which is the worst thing for efficiency.
The only other route I could see getting electrified any time soon would be the X66
Considering the Streetlites have been running on it since new and are getting on for 7 years old, I don't think it's fair to say they have had regular upgrades, although it is perhaps slightly better off than some other routes