(25 Aug 2022, 10:56 am)Storx wrote Has it actually been confirmed that all 14 are still going to Jesmond now?
Haven't heard much about them for awhile and I had a family member the other week who randomly came out with, you'll probably already know but Ashington are getting new 5 new minibuses next month, assuming one of the driver's mentioned it. I know bus / driver gossip is the least reliable gossip going but it was just out the blue, especially considering the other 9 are very very likely going to end up there from October anyway especially with the bother Ashington are having with the 5 Solo's and the Dart pretty much daily now.
2816 breaking down today already just to pick one out.
I think given the number of buses : PVR ratio at Ashington the reliability of the solo's must leave a lot to be desired.
Ashington have 6 Solo's and an MPD for a PVR of 4 on the 57/57A
Whereas Jesmond have 13 Solo's for a PVR of 11
Ideally, like you say, if the 55 were withdrawn you'd have a PVR of 12 with two spares. That should allow 1800 and 2809/12/13/16/17/22 to be withdrawn with the rest perhaps heading to replace some of the older Solo's at Durham/Darlington, certainly the last two in the old old livery at Durham 2818/20 should be withdrawn.