(18 Mar 2014, 7:01 pm)Marcus wrote The company'll probably have a wee bit of debt after the huge Cobalt and Fab56 spending spree, so when you look at it, it might take about a year for a plan like this could be put into action.
Let's remember it's not Go North East who pay the upfront fee for the purchase of the new vehicles...
(18 Mar 2014, 7:06 pm)Tom wrote As it was mentioned that Stanley possibly wouldn't be receiving anymore Citaros, is is possible the 17 would get Citaros, along with the Cobalt Connect? This would allow 5243-46 to transfer to Chester-le-Street for the 13/14/X22, allowing further Olympians to be withdrawn? Obviously one or two journeys would be deckers.
The only reason why Stanley wouldn't receive the Mercs is if the Mercs were not available for cascade. I'd suggest that the Cobalt Connect was more likely to receive any Mercs than the Centurion.
(18 Mar 2014, 7:17 pm)Michael wrote But there 2-3 years old on the Red Arrow (expect for the spare), why buy new buses for them so sudden when other routes could benefit from new buses.
It can often help a business case by investing in massively profitable routes such as the Red Arrows. The cascades allow for the withdrawal of other vehicles and a number of services can receive an upgrade in the process.
In this instance, however, I really think it's unlikely that new stock would be purchased for the Red Arrows. At least for the moment anyway - as you say, it's very soon to purchase new stock.