(28 Dec 2021, 7:48 pm)L469 YVK wrote Yeah, but can't do nothing if all of a sudden out of the blue a surge of traffic hits the roads around the MetroCentre or tailbacks on the Redheugh Bridge.
No operator can reasonably foresee such events although they do happen. They can have contingencies in place when such events are a common occurance.
It's like before the A19 / Silverlink interchange was sorted, the 309 & 310 were a lottery. Some nights absolutely fine, others wall to wall traffic with very severe delays. And that was even with some generous running time added.
But you originally said "'unexpected disruption' which can often happen on the MetroCentre" - is it unexpected or does it happen often? Surely it cannot be both, as if it happens often, it'd be expected/a pattern/predictable.
(28 Dec 2021, 8:05 pm)L469 YVK wrote But, if they did, CLS to Stanley for remote reliefs is less mileage than CLS to Hownsgill.
To be honest without the raw figures and facts, I'm sorry but I just don't see the Volvo B5TL (especially given their history) as suitable allocations to the X21 longer term. The same was argued about the initial batch of StreetDecks 6301-07 and look how they turned out?
I know that GNE aren't all of a sudden going to introduce sweeping changes for the sake of a vehicle allocation. But if they did for 'other reasons' (reliability, timekeeping) and the numbers matched up even if Consett kept the X30/X31, an E400 allocation on the X21 would make sense.
Arriva have operated the Classic versions with ZF boxes no bother on the X21/X22 and although now pushing their luck with 7529-33 and 7553-56, have done their at least 5 year span (expected on such routes going by ANE's 7453-56 and GNE's 6043-48 track records) on the X15/X18.
GNE are also soon allocating 6352-55 on the X10.
I'll put it to bed now.
The difference is that the operator does have the raw figures and facts.
Regarding 6301-07, how have they turned out? Looking at the history on bustimes, they've survived the last two months with minimal time off the road, with exception of 6303, and they perform fine when I've used them lately.