(04 Jan 2024, 8:17 pm)Storx wrote tbf, I think it's more they have underinvested for the past 5 or so, in particular during COVID, and there's now a massive backlog which is just getting worse as the investment is still way too low. You can't just keep cutting routes, to get arid of the oldest buses in the fleet.
It'll be interesting to see what happens in 4 years, or so, as both Arriva and Stagecoach are in serious trouble without investment as they both went on a massive buying spree in the early 10's and it's starting to catch up already. On paper, using the 15 year rule, they should be starting now. Obviously Arriva has decided to just up the number instead, but that's a massive sticking plaster.
yes, the takeover didnt help either, i certainly think though that a 3 year plan of serious investment would certainly sort out the Newcastle and maybe Sunderland operations and then abit of work on the teeside operations wouldnt be far behind