(30 Dec 2021, 7:34 pm)Adrian wrote What are you basing the cost saving on? How many drivers would you need to resource your suggestion and how do they fit in to the existing duties for the depot?

The money saving for the internal vehicle re-allocation within Consett depot only (no other depots or services affected) would be down to the simple fact that no vehicles are partially / fully repainted, only slight tagline / vinyl changes would need made.

Driver resources is a different matter altogether. GNE have reduced the PVR of the X45/X46 by 2x. However, when driver retention / recruitment is hopefully sorted, an extra bus in the PVR wouldn't hurt the X30's / X70's given timings are rather tight. The total comvined PVR for Consett would still be 1x lower than currently (before 30th Jan changes).

So in a nutshell, if GNE later decided to take advantage of the revised X45/X46 frequency:

- X30/X31 revised to interwork with X45/X46 using 12x E400MMC (6340-51). The "fast into" bit changed to:
  * Consett or Stanley
  * Newcastle

- X70/X71/X72 standalone from X30/X31 using 7x StreetDeck. Any reference to Red Kite removed and the "fast into" bit changed to:
  * Consett
  * Sunniside
  * Gateshead
  * Newcastle

By the way, this or the last 2x posts regarding the X45/X46 aren't suggesting any changes will be made beyond the upcoming planned ones. But it just highlights that with all the Consett & Stanley to Newcastle each running a 20 minute combined frequency, it gives GNE more options and flexibility moving forward should they need it.