(30 Sep 2020, 8:47 am)Storx wrote Tbf Arriva / Northumbria have always invested in batches though. It's the same with Stagecoach's fleet which is getting a bit old in places aswell. There's no point in replacing things that aren't needed. The majority of the single / decker fleet really doesn't need replacing atm and there's nowhere for them to go. Minis will be next in line though and maybe something for the Scania's in terms of new buses though imo.

Remember the Cityzens and Europeans were only 13 year old when they were started to get replaced which isn't great for a full size single or decker (should be 15 year) but they we're built like a sieve and leaked everywhere. Amazingly some of them we're still running to the DDA deadline - god knows how. The Northern Counties Scanias we're much worse though with their bus seats and leg room that only a child could get in though imo and very outdated interior.

There was seemingly a lull in batch ordering during that period though, particularly with for larger buses until 2007 or so with the Enviros. Of course things shouldn't be replaced for the sake of it though I'm sure some of the fleet at the time would have faired much better with a GNE style refurb, or at least had a frequent cleaning regime.

TBH the Cityzens probably should have gone much sooner, they were absolute heaps from a fairly young age. I have "fond" memories of the leaking water through the light fittings, cracks where daylight would appear when going round a corner and mouldy side carpets.