(5 hours ago)solsburian wrote IMHO all of Arriva Northumbria’s routes should be double decker operated except for the 1,2,57,57a,415,434,553 and the 777 where a saloon would be OK for those in terms of passenger capacity. Putting salons on any service into Newcastle is always asking for trouble, especially during the peaks.
Until we see the start of the BYDs (and hopefully other new vehicles in time) appearing perhaps the local management should be aiming to acquire a few more spare vehicles that could be available in the wider group to give the existing aging/knacked fleet a bit more slack. Of course, I realise that will probably result in another “robbing Peter to pay Paul” situation again.
Yeah can't disagree to be honest, keep forgetting about the number of singles around.
I'm surprised they don't do a swap with Darlington for 1602-7 for the 57/57A. I know Streetlite's etc are crap, but the short length buses which are a complete headache for Darlington would be ideal for it. Could probably throw them on the 415/434 aswell really and I'm sure Durham could give up 1579/80 aswell to tidy the batch up (displaced by electrics?). Let's be honest the 1/2/57/57A/434 aren't getting new buses anytime soon and it sorts out the singles for awhile and get rid of the short Solo's which are also completely inappropiate on the 57/57A.
Ignoring the 553 headache, it means they can start working on making Northumbria Pulsar free as they're the more unreliable vehicles lately over the deckers, even at Ashington.