(03 Aug 2022, 6:46 am)mb134 wrote They'll realistically need to be keeping a few more than 3.
Current decker PVRs are:
X14 - 3
X15 - 4
X18 - 5
X20 - 2
X21/22 - 15
35 - 5
Total: 34
Exclude 12 on the X21/22 for the current MMCs, leaves you with 22 boards to cover with the 19 new vehicles. You still need spare deckers, so realistically you need 5-6 current E400s staying if the spare current percentages of the other vehicle types stay the same.
So really 7524/5/6/7/8 can still stay at Ashington, which aligns with that they're being painted to match the new E400MMCs - if they're going to be specific with where they're used then I guess 7524-8 will be used on the 35.
(03 Aug 2022, 6:06 am)mb134 wrote Think they're low backed, to be honest with the amount of damaged/replaced headrests I've seen on Ashington buses recently I'm not surprised.
Ideally they should have replaced all the Sapphire seating and Max headrests with the dark blue pleather as they have done elsewhere so that replacements don't stand out like a sore thumb. The problems experienced nationally with headrests are mainly down to long wait times and the high costs of replacement branded headrests.
Headrests are preferable in my opinion as they provide a bit more separation between passengers, as well as a tad more back comfort.