(06 Mar 2014, 7:50 pm)G-CPTN wrote Could they change the final-drive ratio (or would that be a step too far)?
With the exception of a Palatine 2, no 13 year old double deck would be able to cope with a route like the X93. If Arriva want to get some muscle on the X93, the 4 57 reg Lowlanders from Ashington will be perfect. They've seen better days but with a thorough maintenance check, they'll do just fine!
Arriva need to look at what is being used on long distance and endurance services. A 6.7l ISBE engined bus designed for yoir typical Killi to Chapel House / North Walbottle will not cope and certainly not a 13 year old ex London bus.
Arriva should've taken opportunity of Euro 5 and ordered a load of 310bhp B9TL Gemini's for the X10, X11, X15, X18, X21, X22 and X93. The only problem GNE has had with theirs has been the gearing ratios on the TTX but otherwise, they haven't done too badly and if Arriva had've bought them, they would get 5 years of good service with only the odd breakdown on the X15 / X18, and 7 years of good service on the rest mentioned with very few breakdowns.