(31 Jul 2014, 12:14 pm)Robert wrote Id say yes, it does. Any service that has a demonstrator on it during or close to the start of the financial year is a service that Go North East are looking to invest in. Obviously part of YJ62 FFBs trial wasnt to see if they would cope considering that the Diamond citaros had just gone onto the route the year before[/B] but the Citylink however did get an upgrade.
The Versa is a prime example of a demonstrator vehicle not dictating investment. It was merely used to compare against the Mercedes Citaro vehicles which are usually allocated to the "Diamond", obtaining information from drivers and passengers in regards to how the vehicle coped in the process. To my memory, it also assisted Stanley when they had a number of vehicles VOR...
Like Chris said above, Versas have been strongly suggested for the X66 and this is probably what will be ordered. Despite this, GNE would have been foolish not to compare the Euro 6 Merc against the Versa. Riverside benefits in the process, as they've gained an additional spare vehicle for the week - which will hopefully allow engineering to sort out any 'bigger' issues they have with the artics.