Basically, we need a double deck vehicle manufacturer that will come up with a vehicle and chassis combination that will provide for routes where a heavyweight single deck such as the B8RLE hasn't got the capacity but the investment of a coach couldn't be justified due to financial and operational reasons (cascading vehicles). Ideally, we need a low floor double deck vehicle that:
- Meets Euro legislation
- Has at least a 9 litre engine with 270bhp or more
- Has a gear box with tall gearing ratios for constant high speeds
- Is double deck and low floor
- Is priced at around 200k mark or less
- Will last 7 years on a demanding route (X15 or X18)
- Will last a further 7 to 8 years on slightly less demanding routes (X14 or X20) whilst acting as a backup for previous demanding route (X18) with the very final 2 years before 15 year life span coming to an end backing up on routes such as 35, X14, X20, X21 and X22
RE: New technology in buses