(02 Apr 2014, 8:15 pm)aureolin wrote How do you know they didn't give it any thought? All those services combined would require 37 vehicles, based on the following requirements:
X10/X11 PVR 12, X18 PVR 6, X21 PVR 8, X22 PVR 6, X93 PVR 5.
I'd imagine the bus industry is the same as any other, and you can't just go around placing a massive order for new vehicles, without a cast iron business case and forecast to show the money is going to be earned back.
It's just not realistic.
Ok, the X93 might be questionable but certainly the other services would've benefited from the B9TL for the following reasons despite the increased purchase cost and slightly higher fuel consumption than the Cummins ISBe:
- Powerful engines for more speed and better reliability
- In relation to the above, excellent on hills
- Good handling and smooth steering
- Very smooth braking and acceleration
- Smooth gear changes
- Local service centre in Durham
- Good fuel capacity
- Better patronage because of better reliability and fewer breakdowns
- Happy drivers
And why do you think GNE has ordered 67 of them since 2011?