(05 Sep 2014, 9:19 pm)Dan wrote This is a thread which is designed for speculation, after all, isn't it? I certainly did say it wasn't 'to be taken as concrete', though it would deliver cost savings and as such, it's something that shouldn't be considered irrational.
I've seen comments on Facebook that Go North East's National Express operations will not move to Riverside, but let's see..! If the National Express staff are 'being put at a disadvantage' to deliver cost savings to the company by moving operations to another depot, why can't this happen at Crook? Isn't it management who have the ultimate say in this matter?
Slightly different story at Consett... Go North East had no other option but to invest into brand new minibuses, to replace the oldest minibuses in the fleet which had exceeded their "shelf lives", in order to gain the maximum amount of money which they could from these vehicles. They chose Consett, as this depot was presumably delivering the highest profit levels in terms of minibus operations. With Crook, they have the option to cascade other buses down, but it doesn't look like this will happen!
Yeah, speculate on what vehicles may be purchased, but what you and others may not realise is that a few of my colleagues have a nosey on here and once they see remarks like that then the rumour mill starts again, and the morale levels dip again. A daily commute to Chester would be a long and expensive one for myself and, as I said, about 85% of my colleagues, and isn't an especially inviting proposition.
Anyway.....my thoughts is that the X1 would receive any new vehicle investment, with the resultant cascade of B9s being made to Crook for the Pronto, and Stanley for the old West Durham Swift services.