(29 Oct 2022, 7:53 am)DeltaMan wrote Is the issue that Newcastle actually doesn't have enough routes doing well which are also single decker operated, which means cascades are more difficult?
I can think of only the 30/31 which has new vehicles. Dodgy old (fully depreciated) MANs can still be found on most Slatyford single routes.
I have a feeling Covid messed things up. Their fleet is starting to become a problem in some areas to the state of First's fleet before they flogged everything off especially since they haven't bought a bus in England since bar one small batch down South.
Stagecoach Midlands, Stagecoach South and Stagecoach South West are particularly bad and riddled with Darts, 15+ year old Solo's and ALX 400's, one being an 04 plate and in the new livery. Even the flagship Manchester fleet has 250+ 08/58 Enviro 400's in frontline service and on paper should be withdrawn next year and usually be sent elsewhere to withdraw the ALX's above.
They're in a big of a mess imo, the North East is generally doing 'alright'.