(09 Jan 2023, 11:09 pm)streetdeckfan wrote But the only feasible way for some of the 'lesser' routes to get upgrades is through cascades from the more profitable routes (once again, not sure where the routes you mention fit into the scale).

The thing is though, you say a trial in Sunderland would be nice, but honestly why would they bother? It's essentially just a waste of money/effort if the vehicle is never going to be ordered for the area. The time would be better spent evaluating the vehicle where it's more likely to end up.

If the 97 does get upgraded, those 'nearly new' E200s will then end up on a route that just couldn't feasibly be run if new vehicles were ordered for it.
Correct me if I'm wrong, but I believe single deckers are expected to last 10 years, so those E200s on the 97 are already a third through their life and have likely already been depreciated down to the point where they could be moved onto another less profitable route.

I thought it was 15. 

But the last upgrade to the 97 was replacing 15 year old Scania's, when I've seen it its can be busy but it can also be dead or just maybe about 10-12 people on, quite often the latter actually. 

If the max life of a single decker is 10 years I would be worrying about GNE situation tbh.