(19 Dec 2021, 9:30 pm)Michael wrote Seems Dan has commented on the post on the North East Bus enthusiast Facebook page, about the E400MMC's going on the X84/X85:I do wonder what the liklihood is of the X9/X10 being cut to run just hourly to the X10E route like they've dropped to this weekend so only the 4 that were branded for X84/X85 are required?
Vanity project? Wasn’t it a Group-led decision to swap 9 new StreetDecks from GNE for 7 leased coaches from OBC, due to there being limited scope for capex but Oxford had contracts to fulfil? Not sure where the vanity is there!
The X9/X10 services have been given every opportunity to fully recover (reinstatement of full timetable, coach allocation, increased marketing drive) but the crux of it is that the passenger numbers aren’t there to warrant a renewal of the lease. It is sensible during these times of uncertainty that GNE reviews suitability and re-allocates existing resource accordingly.
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Wonder where the other 3 E400MMC's will come from?
Never understood them putting those E400MMCs on the X84/X85 in the first place, whenever I've seen these services it never seemed like it required them, think they hoped pulling the X85 out of Heddon & Horsley would boost numbers but doesn't look to have worked, nor have the evening journeys although doesn't help the Bus Station to St Andrew's Cemetery section has been unable to be served due to roadworks. Can't say I have seen much promo of the service since the changes and new vehicles were introduced.