(11 Sep 2024, 9:50 pm)solsburian wrote Regarding Ashington, I am guessing Arriva are waiting to see what happens with the Ashington Line (I am willing to take a punt that it won't quite live up to expectations for various reasons - principally that it is currently set up for car users).

That aside there is no doubt Arriva's new owners will need to open their wallet soon. Make no mistake, the SB200/DB300 Wright bodied busses have given excellent and long service, and aged far better than their Scania predecessors. But they are getting tired now and replacement must be on the cards.

To be fair, I can't see anymore cuts to Ashington bar the X21/X22 not being temporary. Even if the rail service done exceptionally well I can't see them being impacted to the stage that the X21/X22 need to be hourly as there's still all of Bedlington etc and the rest of the routes other than the X20 are miles away from the line.

Blyth, on the other hand though... But the DB300's aren't the answer to the Redcar's woes anyway.

I know the DB300's are getting on, but hopefully when the electrics come it's the 8 antique E400's and all the Pulsar's bar the 12 plates which are shipped out with the DB300's having days off which should help them out a bit. They've still got a little bit of life left imo.