(02 Aug 2020, 11:20 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I disagree that the E200 has 'superior build quality' compared to the Streetlite, sure, the Streetlite has a rattly door, but the E200 feels like it's make from the thinnest, cheapest plastic they could find, with just about every panel creaking, and don't even get me started on the windows.
The Streetlite feels like it's been well screwed together with the exception of the emergency door, and even still on Arriva's examples that isn't even an issue.

I would also disagree with your implication the StreetDecks are unreliable. They're not. They're some of the most reliable vehicles in GNE's fleet. 

Did Transdev go with E400s because they wanted to, or because they had no choice? There's a big difference

I've always found the E200 MMC a far better vehicle in general than the Streetlite. For GNE, their E200s are light-years ahead of their Streetlites in terms of atmosphere, comfort and build quality. Likewise with First, their Streetlites feel like they're about to fall apart any moment whereas their E200s I've been on have been very solid and much more pleasant places to be. 

I didn't say the Streetdeck was unreliable, I simply stated that the Cummins engine in the E400 has proven itself constantly across all sorts of routes for any number of companies. Compare that to how many Damiler powered Streetdecks are running around, then tell me that you can say the Streetdeck is as proven as the E400 (especially considering the earlier GNE examples).

Don't see why they wouldn't have the choice of Wright, they must have be desperate to get any order they could - I'd say it's likely Hornby acknowledging that the E400 is a bloody good product.