(04 Jul 2024, 8:17 am)Storx wrote They don't buy any buses, they're all leased from Mistral. No doubt the older ones are running out of lease so might aswell get some newer ones if the costs are the same (it'll all be costed in the contract anyway).
https://www.route-one.net/deliveries/gat...m-mistral/ - One of the earlier batches.
I don't know but I wouldn't be surprised to see the 20 plates go soon, they're not needed anymore or alternatively get shot of their Iveco's which seem to be a problem.
322/323/324 - 342
321/333/334? - 19
331/332/335/336/337 - 335/351/359
320 or Solo - X46
There's enough vehicles around now.
Aren’t the minibuses owned? I think it’s just the E200MMCs which are leased.
Given there are currently active tenders for the Sunderland Connect 700 (1 PVR) and 28/29 services (5 PVR), starting in September/October, I would be very surprised to see Gateshead Central dispose of any buses.
I’d imagine they’ll be bidding even more competitively than normal to replace the 4 PVR loss on services 67/69.