I think GNE always seems to try and buy Deckers if they can justify it, as Dan said. Cobalt clipper, Fab56, Red Arrows are some examples of this happening. I'm confident if/when Prince Bishops is upgraded (I'm thinking 2015) the replacement vehicles will be deckers of some sort. Laser, Crusader, Toon Link could all justify deckers too in my opinion if/when new stock is bought. X66 is an exception due to such a short route.
For this years orders, I'd say they looking at a couple of priorities; Withdrawing of Olympian, B10BLE's & Ciatro Artics. Th
Therefore;
Lime Investment is pretty much guaranteed. An order may be already placed on this one? StreetLites?
X66 Investment is a likely order. Versas/StreetLites seem like obvious choices. I'd like to suggest the former although it could be the latter.
Pronto or ToonLink Investment could be possibility. Mainly for the reason of cascades. Deckers for both will be the vehicle choice I should think. Presidents from X21 could then replace just about all of the remaining Olympians, which can be withdrawn. While investment on the latter group of services would see the B10's withdrawn/cascaded to replace older vehicles and the B7RLE's onto another service such as Pulse services.
Fab57 may be an option, this could tie into the new brand and new vehicles on its sister service, Fab56. This will also free up the last remaining branded B10's.
This only accounts to approx. 50 vehicles.
So I can see scope for another service to be invested in.
I'm wondering if GNE will upgrade another minibus service? I'd say the Venture Solo's have went down very well with passengers. So I'm thinking could East Durham or North Tyne Links receive investment. Be roughly 18 vehicles or 12 vehicles.
This would then mean around 62/68 vehicles.
RE: 2014 GNE Bus Order Predictions