(31 May 2025, 3:25 pm)logidoodah wrote Literally the easiest thing to do (without changing the vehicle rotation around) is to just buy Plaxton Panther LEs. These work really well around Scotland, have no boarding issues, are basically a coach and service bus combined.
And bonus they fit in Eldon Square too, think back to when they trialled one back in 2019(?).
And bonus bonus they won't lose the route (and vehicles) with franchising as it is well outside of the area from south of Peterlee!
Alternatively offer to route swap with Stagecoach or Arriva as both of them would be interested as both have more stable networks in Tyneside & Teeside. Of which GNE definitely does not!
Yeah honestly don't disagree at all. They'd be perfect for the route and offer a service which is well above what it is now aswell with the bonus of sorting out the reliability issues.
(31 May 2025, 4:33 pm)L469 YVK wrote The problem is that the X10 fits the route profile of both a coach & bus.
Anything bigger than a 53 seater = bye bye Eldon Square which didn't work well the last time.
And given that both the X9/X10 carried good loads and probably would again if the X9 was re-introducted, deckers are the only option.
Unless GNE went to every 20 minutes using Plaxton Panther LE's, but that would take the PVR to over 10x vehicles and the load numbers would need to be consistently good.
Only other way a sustainable decker operation could happen would be through fleet rotation with a combined fleet working the likes of the X21 and preferably also the 10/10A/10B/12. Basically 1 hard day on the A19 followed by easier days doing the above.
I'm not sure Eldon Square was the real issue last time round; the serious issue was the vehicles, as they had the interdecks on which have horrendously steep steps, well above a normal coach nvm Panther LE's. They were never appropiate for the route. Stagecoach tried them in North Scotland until they were scrapped very quickly aswell due to complaints over the same problems.
If the coaches are full and they're not making money then they're doing something very wrong, I'd imagine there's much more potential for growth as I can tell you with confidence I'd never use the X10 with a conventional bus on; if they had a coach on I could be tempted though if I needed to head down there since the trains are appalling.