(05 Jan 2022, 7:12 pm)OrangeArrow49 wrote Versa 5379 on the final trip each way on the 74 this afternoon. An Orbit StreetLite based at Hexham. Solos days numbered?
You'd assume the Orbit Streetlite is on loan rather than a permanent allocation (perhaps covering for 5508 which hasn't been in service for a while according to BusTimes).
I think there are a few factors suggesting that the current Solo's won't be running out of Hexham for much longer. Firstly if GNE are successful in their ZEBRA bus fund bid then they will be replaced with electric vehicles. Secondly, service 74 at least will require a Euro 6 vehicle as it goes into Newcastle (and GNE don't seem to be upgrading any Solo's to Euro 6) and potentially (though I'm purely speculating) the contracts for the Hexham services may stipulate Euro 6 vehicles going forwards in which case the Solo's will almost certainly be replaced. I'd imagine, this will allow some of the older SR's to be withdrawn now they're pushing on 10 years.