Modern E400s are fine for frontline service until around 7-8 years of age (5 for endurance routes such as X14/X15/X18/X20) if looked after properly. The 57 plate E400s that didn't fall in the hands of Blyth and Redcar were fine when used on the X21/X22.

If Arriva were to purchase new vehicles (unlikely), I'd suggest the following types depending on the routes:

- 308 = StreetDeck OM934
- X7/X8/X9/X10/X11 = ADL E400MMC (ZF)
- X21/X22 = ADL E400MMC (ZF)
- X14/X15/X18/X20 = StreetDeck OM936