(09 Mar 2021, 11:53 pm)mb134 wrote I think my suggestion, vehicle wise, for the Alnwick/Thropton routes would be something along the lines of the following:
X14: Heavy duty single decks (i.e B8RLE, new WrightBus integral single deck, 6-cyl E200 MMC)
X15: E400 MMCs. Preferably Scania powered, though new Cummins powered ones will be more than fine if ZF coupled.
X16: Heavy duty single decks (same as X14)
X18: E400 MMCs, again preferably Scania.
X20: E400 MMCs.
You'd have to sort out the scholars board that one of the X14 boards does in the afternoon, but I'm sure you could find something somewhere for that. Generally the X14 is absolutely fine with single decks, as is the X16. If you get heavy duty stuff it offers more flexibility if you need to quickly sling one onto the X15 due to late running or a failure - Streetlites on the X15 are horrendous. As part of this you'd also move the X16 across to Ashington, again to improve operational flexibility as well as cutting dead mileage.
Honestly can't really disagree with that tbh expecially for the X14, X16, X18 and X20. Maybe could do a swap with the 35/X14 for the school run.
Would love to see coaches back on the X15 though mind over deckers, just think for the distance think they'd be actually useful as it's pretty much an express service throughout with a small batch at Jesmond for the 685 aswell. Think the additional comfort would suit them. The extra dwell time might be a problem going into Morpeth, Alnwick and Berwick but the 10 in the Highlands doesn't really have any issues with that and they've been coaches in the past.