(06 Aug 2024, 6:34 am)tvd wrote Maybe, but a small fleet of Solos (or other minibuses) would allow them to run these routes and the school contracts as now, and also tender for other contracts that might turn up.
Even having them almost as spare buses could be useful. We often see a Solo on the 81 for example, or other routes, and they must save a bit on fuel if you add up all the mileage they do whilst on full sized bus routes. Ok, a very small amount in the total scheme of things but handy nontheless.
Aye no arguments there really. Just the issue is they really need to be wheel forward due to grounding issues.
From what I've heard on the grapevine, obviously Chinese whispers might have impacted it, Switch/Optare or whatever they're called this week have awful after support and it's why most are dodging their products.
Is it worth have a microfleet of 3 buses, let's say just to run that route when you could otherwise get fleet continuity and just have a full midibus fleet of short Enviro 200 MMC's if that makes sense.
If I did keep the 95/96 I'd probably look at the cheapest crap you can buy, Ivecos or what not and then if you lose the contract just bin them off tbh. Probably easier. It doesn't really matter if the customers like the buses as your paid anyway. Same with the 434 really.