(03 Feb 2014, 11:22 pm)Dan wrote You have a point there and I agree, but I guess the main factor is the transition between what services the vehicles are allocated to before and after they move.
Here in the North East, we have a high speed express service which is allocated former London Volvo B7TL/Plaxton President vehicles. The vehicles allocated are said to be breaking down frequently and replacement vehicles are having to be provided regularly.
If the vehicles rarely exceeded 30mph or so in London, going up and down dual carriageways at 55mph isn't going to be a particularly great for them - the transition is simply too extravagant!
Although I don't wish to drift off-topic, what is the nature of the routes which your former London vehicles are allocated to? Are they normal town services, interurban, express..?
Seen Loylnes on over the last week or so