I'm incredibly bored, and appreciate that it's so early in the day and none of this would have even been decided yet... But here's what I'd do if I were in charge over the next few years. This thread was always designed to be a bit of fun anyway!
2014 (Up to 80 vehicles)
- X66
> Vehicles withdrawn
- Lime
> Vehicles withdrawn
- Crusader
> 9x Citaro to Red Kite, allowing OmniCitys to cascade to Centurion and ultimately allow B10BLEs currently allocated to be withdrawn.
> 5x Citaro to X30/X31, allowing 3885-89 to accompany 3890/91 (replaced somehow...) on a temporary 'red X21' allocation. Current B7TLs replace some of the Olympians.
- Laser
> 12x Citaro to Prince Bishops > Solars allowing B10s up to 4914 to be withdrawn.
> 6x Solar to GNE Red > B10s up to 4920 withdrawn.
- Toon Link
> B10BLEs withdrawn
> B7RLEs to South Tyne 5, allowing current allocation to be withdrawn.
- Fab57
> B10BLEs withdrawn
2015 (Up to 80 vehicles)
- QuayLink (assuming GNE retain the contract)
> Versas to M2/M3, Cadets withdrawn.
- Red Arrows
> B9s to Pronto (7), Angel (3), TTX (1), TEN (2), allowing the deckers (inc. 3885-91, if my plan for the previous year went ahead) to lead to double decker withdrawal, presumably the Lolynes if GNE get rid of some of the scholar work which the remaining Olympians would have performed in the previous year.
- Prince Bishops
> Assuming they do get Citaros in 2014, they go to the Highwayman, allowing the Highwayman Solars to conclude B10BLE withdrawal.
- Diamond
> Mercs to Tynedalexpress (4)
> Mercs to Fast Cats (10)
One Solar to replace 8293, and the others allowing the eldest Solars in the fleet to be withdrawn in preparation for the following year when they're due to be withdrawn
- Nexus
> 10x Solo to NTL
> 2x Solo to ?
Assisting with MPD withdrawal.
- Tynedale Links
> MPDs withdrawn
- Sunderland Connect
> Allowing Solos to assist with Nexus contracts.
2016
- SimpliCity / Orbit
> 14x Peterlee East Durham
> 2x OK Way
> 2x Deptford East Durham
> 1x S1
Assisting with MPD withdrawal, and would probably allow for all MPDs to be withdrawn (except 603-606 and 618/619).
RE: 2014 GNE Bus Order Predictions