(10 Oct 2022, 7:58 pm)Storx wrote Assuming the 55 will be going to Ashington from the 30th October so guessing they want the batch together. Kind of makes sense than having an oddball batch of Solo's and Enviro's at Ashington (there's no space for minibuses under the Blyth redevelopment plans).

Wasn't they talk of investment in the Southern depots on here next year anyway, maybe it'll be going to Ashington instead of potentially Darlington. Not sure what mind, short Streetlite's maybe? since Optare buses have gone out of favour with Arriva.

As grounding is the primary issue here, it makes sense to move the E200s asap to prevent damage. Darlington is the obvious place to put them due to the large number of elderly Solos deployed there. Clearly the movement of Solos to Ashington will be a temporary measure to enable service delivery.  It would seem to follow that Euro 6 stock will be required from somewhere to satisfy CAZ requirements and there is sure to be a plan for this.. Meanwhile, Darlington has gained a partial early upgrade, something that was needed and had to be on the cards anyway, due to the age and condition of the 08 Solos. It stands to reason that further investment is going to have to follow to resolve the Ashington problem and to complete the required transition at Darlington. Arriva can only keep the knackered old stock going for so long after all,