(Yesterday, 5:30 pm)X919 WGR wrote Oh really. Wasn't aware but better to know.
Would be more suitable I guess having the smaller bus go around the Lobley Hill estates
Yes, indeed - the contract specification for the 96 is the same as the specification for the 515, 558 and 568 (i.e. a minibus is fine).
Monday to Friday, the bus used on the 96 on a morning runs onto the 515. The bus on a night time runs off the 558/568. Two efficient bus workings which yield good driver duties which are also efficient.
I’m told Go North East’s drivers have told Northstar drivers over the last couple of days that they “wish Go North East had similar sized buses for night time runs like this”.
Ultimately, they use a lot less fuel than a conventional Optare Solo, Streetlite or otherwise, and Nexus benefits from this cost saving with a cheaper tender price.