(06 Aug 2023, 1:03 pm)toward6931 wrote i would definitely use these new MMCs as a catalyst to start to reduce the numbers of hybrids in service, with 24 if im hearing correctly, new double decks arriving on tyneside i would take the 12 worst of the hybrids and start stripping them down to keep the better condition ones operating.
the other 12 vehicles i would use to move some of the older E400s around. with 24 new and hopefully problem free double decks at walkergate you could then reduce the number of spare singles at walkergate.
if say for example you could use whatever is left of the decent ALX300s and E300s that Stockton have just shed in Sunderland, plus some of the
CAZ compliant 09 E300s that could maybe be cascaded once the walkergate spares have been distributed you could then start selling some of the gas buses off, if and when the 20 electrics turn up at Sunderland, i would use those new vehicles and to oust the remaining gas buses,
i would then use the money generated from the sale of the gas buses, along with some investment from head office to purchase some new MMC single decks for Newcastle,
you could then cascade some of the older CAZ compliant single decks to Sunderland in order to cascade some of the none compliant vehicles like the Scania E300s and anything like the older ALX300s and E300s to Stockton,
i would then, once those vehicles arrive at Stockton, take stock of what vehicles are really struggling mechanically and if cost effective i would get them sorted or if not strip them down for spares to support the decent vehicles,
after that i would then start to take older vehicles out of service, in theory although maybe taking a little while it should be an easy win for stagecoach northeast to evaluate and sort some of its fleet out
Aye can't disagree in a way, they seem to be against investing lately though like most bus operators.
Btw you've mixed up the 28603 - 28605 / 28643 - 28650 and the ones which have come, which the Scania E300's in the Highlands. Not sure where they're going but they have very similar number plates - doubt here though as they'll be a microfleet but weirder things have happened.