(20 Feb 2014, 4:00 pm)Davey Bowyer wrote This is something that I've been wondering over for a long time. You have operators who require double deckers with powerful engines for routes such as the 10, X1, X9 AND X10. What are they going to do in 7-10 years time when heavyweight buses like the B9TL are due to be replaced. Will they reduce the capacity and order heavyweight coaches or if any exist single deckers. Or will they buy these so called eco friendly turbocharged double deckers like the E400 and B5TL(NOT TURBOCHARGED) with tiny engines and replace them on a more regular basis? Who knows.
The demand for power isn't full-time, therefore 'small' engines backed-up by electric power (hybrids) makes sense (although my belief is that hybrids will not prove to be economical when compared to diesels).
I often wonder about the B9TLs when I hear the Tens trundling past lightly laden (though I realise they need the power to climb Tinkler's Bank out of Corbridge towards Riding Mill fully laden). The MPDs almost stalled when they used to use them there.