(05 Feb 2021, 4:57 pm)mb134 wrote On this point, has the GNE policy changed (or will it) regarding refurbishments to second hand vehicles entering the fleet?
Not too relevant with Stagecoach NE as they rarely take in second hand stuff from other regions, but virtually all ANE second hand stock is treat to at least a good internal refurbishment. Take the initial batch of B7TLs from London, refurbed in 2014 to a high quality (if not high spec) standard - https://flic.kr/p/m33np1 , https://flic.kr/p/m33n6W. Contrast how fresh that looks to some of the Omnidekkas and the dual door B7s that GNE acquired for example (https://flic.kr/p/QxubjX).
I know the argument will probably be that those deckers aren't intended for high profile work, however over the summer I had some of those B7s on what is now an X-Lines route, as well as Omnidekkas on the 309/310 (amongst others, just can't for the life of me remember what). If that's your first experience of a GNE bus, it really isn't a good one (especially if anyone was unlucky enough to get 6941). Obviously a punter getting on a brand new Streetdeck would be a better first experience than an Arriva Sapphire E400, for example, but the impression of something like 7484 pictured above would, in my view, be better than the equivalent replacements at GNE.
(05 Feb 2021, 5:11 pm)mb134 wrote The B7s certainly didn't appear to have had any sort of internal attention last I was on one. The Omnidekkas I got on over the summer were in blue "Go" trim, but I've had several still with the red fabric since the first ones moved up here - bit of further digging and it seems that most ran with red moquette from arrival in the NE until around 2018.
Even if they haven't, it doesn't give a fantastic impression to potential customers. Think of all the school kids who are using them on scholars, will they want to travel on something like that to work when they leave school, or will they opt for the car? Think of all the times they've been used on Metro replacements. Think of all the times they *have* been used on front line service work.
Just for you though, here's one fully route branded with that red moquette: https://flic.kr/p/EeRazZ.
The dual-door buses were re-trimmed into Go-Ahead London's moquette shortly before being acquired, which was one of the main reasons nothing was ever done with them. They were, and still are, in very good condition. The second reason being that they were only ever acquired for the Tall Ships event, and remained in the fleet due to the fact Go North East were awarded a sizeable number of scholars contracts in July to commence operation in September (despite there being a large volume of work, such as the Sunderland Airshow, for these vehicles to be allocated to, between award of the contracts and their commencement).
The Scania OmniDekkas on the other hand were incredibly poor quality, but, as normal, were rushed out into service as quickly as possible, due to the business requirements at the time. There was a long-term project to re-trim the seats in all the Scania OmniDekkas on a rolling basis. All bar 6122 were completed (this one intentionally not being done due to it being the oldest in the batch, and planned for withdrawal this year).
Cannot deny that the quality of the refurbishment on Arriva's pre-owned vehicles is sublime - alas the downside to this is that the cost of the refurbishment (including centre-door conversion) would have been more than the cost of the bus, and as such they're probably lumbered with those buses for many years to come now (whereas Go North East's examples are close to being fully depreciated so could, in theory, be easily disposed of, should newer stock become available).
The first 57-plate ex-B&H OmniDekka is due back from repaint next week - I wonder how the interior will be presented?
As much as I'd love to agree with you on scholars being the 'customers of the future', unfortunately I'd have to disagree in this instance as very few show any kind of regard for the buses that they're using. Most vandalise them.
(05 Feb 2021, 5:25 pm)6049 wrote If you're acquiring a bus towards the end of it's life expressly for the purpose of using it on scholar's then where is the incentive to spend any money on them? It's a business at the end of the day, it has to make a profit and to be honest how many times are parents going to be that bothered about the bus their child travels other than is I safe to be on the road and will it get them to and from school on time?
I accept your point on Metro Replacements that they don't give a great impressions, but in all honesty again, where is the incentive to spend money on them when Nexus primarily operate on cheapest bid wins. If you're spending money to make them look good you're just decreasing your margins.
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That, or operators factor into the cost of their bid the cost of undertaking significant refurbishment work, coming at the expense of the taxpayer (I'm sure that wouldn't be popular, either!)