(18 Jan 2024, 12:38 am)DaveFromUpNorth wrote Deptford depot ATM is the black sheep of the company just like percy main was years ago in relation to the aging fleet.
I may be cynical but it is good in business terms that Deptford currently gets the mid term "older buses"
We are only looking 15-20 years ago that Deptford had a massive investment of brand new buses to the area... it is other depot terms
Deptford Consett and Washington (and an odd couple of routes at Percy Main) are the main routes that do not have to be euro6 compliant aka able to drive in Gateshead/NEWCASTLE
With this in mind older fleet is better re-purposed with the least restrictions.
41/41a has some of the worst buses in the fleet operating on the route as well as collectively the North Tyneside schools and works services
Look back to Covid 19 bus depots were closed and used as storage and every bus that was the best value for money aka cost per mile in fuel and operating costs was used to provide a service everything else was SORN
There is also another aspect to consider if a service route which I think (Seaham 60 service and Murton) are prone to random smashed windows which buses are cheaper to replace in terms of windows?
Just remember when the Quayside buses before Electric (yellow and black livery) were displaced to 41 41a and Percy Main when the Electric buses came in but they didn't stay for long.and were moved on.
X66 funding I am actually in favour for - it's an express route but means It could be interworked or extended in the future
What says in the future the X66 does not operate Gateshead - metrocentre a (x100 ) (new fictional service) Metrocentre to Eldon Square (DIrect)
After all from 1st Jan 2024 GNE will not accept Stagecoach tickets on their services (a gentlemen agreement during covid)
Two express routes will also improve reliability (your next service 10 is terminating at Metrocentre jump on this X100 to metrocentre where the bus will meet you)
Improving X66 gives flexibility to displace onto other services or let it interwork
Aye some fair points but guess it depends if Deptford actually then gets the investment it eventually needs. The way it's going on it's as if they're setting it up for sold. Minimum investment etc, basically what DB has done with Arriva.
Not sure they'll do an express from the Metrocentre to Newcastle though as it'll just duplicate their own services, might aswell just have the punters on those instead. Even known running it via Scotswood Road would be massively helpful when the impending bridge works come in but that's too sensible.