(22 Feb 2014, 10:17 am)Tom wrote Good ideas... I think Versas should be bought for the Simplicity and Orbit services, and 6 X Optare Solo for the ''Tynedale Links'' with the Versa going onto the ''East Durham'' and the ''North Tyne Links''. If my suggestion with the ''Coaster'' getting a upgarde and the 34 gettng the Omnicities, the total number of Versas would be perfect! 8303-8309/8319-8321 for the ''North Tyne Links'' and 8322-8330 for the busier ''East Durham'', with new Solos for the town services? This would allow 8331-38 to displace 5219-26 on the ''LOOP''?
So rather than the 33 X Solo SR and 8 X Versa, it'd be 7 X Optare Solo SR (one spare for Hexham) and 28 X Optare Versa (15 for Simplicity with two spare for Deptford, 9 for Orbit, with two spare at Riverside.) When the ''Quaylink'' gets upgraded, the Versas would transfer to Washington for the M2/M3.
This would displace all 2002 and most 2003 MPD's, 603-6 would remain on the W5/W6 and 618/9 would transfer to Riverside for use on the S1 and 27X/40A replacing MPD 547 to be withdrawn, and 8266 to replace a B10BLE. 573/4 would replace 542/4, 561 would remain in service with Deptford. Hopefully that and my other suggestions would replace all 2002 cadet, all B10BLE, all Lolynes and most 2002/2003 MPD's.
Got to remember that's if GNE win the contract for the Quaylink... they could still loose it.... means the buses on their don't have to be replaced and it free's up 9 versa's.....not sure if anyone else would bid