(09 Sep 2023, 11:11 pm)tyresmoke wrote I can guarantee a full length Streetlite hasn’t done a 96 [emoji1787] I think length wise you might just get a short one round but much like the baby E200s you’d probably have issues with grounding on the lanes beyond Grosmont so I suspect they’d be no good. It’s only used to be contracted for a 16 seat but the schools dictate a larger vehicle.
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Aye that's fair wasn't 100% sure either way, kind of agree though that it should be split. Seems pointless having such a large vehicle running a route which doesn't need it and the problems it's causing tbh.
(09 Sep 2023, 11:55 pm)mb134 wrote I would say that, despite agreeing that they shouldn't be allocated, I can see how they've been allocated given it's the first week that type has been allocated to Ashington. Since seating capacity is 23 plus standing (which will be some unrealistic number) *on paper* they probably are theoretically big enough. Additionally, the 57 boards simply call for an Optare Solo so if it gets to the last board out and one of 2601-3 is the only one available, that's what's probably going on the 0752.
If there are consistent reports of them leaving passengers, which I saw yesterday, then I think we'll see reasonably quickly whether or not they plan on acting on it. However if drivers/passengers don't report them running at capacity then all the depot will have to go on is Ticketer information which will show a loading that, again on paper, they (2601-3) can theoretically carry.
Yeah can't disagree to be honest, and same here and no doubt there'll be a suit somewhere in an office clicking his fingers on why they're paying full wages when there's a bus sitting in a depot who ticks the boxes. No doubt the same person being miles away, never drove a bus, doesn't understand Ashington and only looks at balance sheets.
(09 Sep 2023, 10:23 pm)solsburian wrote The passenger flows will be interesting, but I am willing to bet usage from Seghill will be insignificant - which the transport officer at NCC thinks as well.
I preferred the Class 142 - they should have had bogies or steerable axels but they did give good views. Plus they had "character" (ducks). Metro-Cammell did seemingly pull off a blinder when they chucked together the 156 design, I'll give you that
Aye totally agreed about Seghill, think it might have an impact of the rest of the X7 though, I'll openly use it and I'm the far end of Delaval (usually 19 or 57 and swap to the Metro now anyway).
Class 142's were awful though, horrid leg room and on bonded track were painful ha.