(30 Dec 2014, 11:50 pm)Bus_User wrote From what I see, the 57 gets decent loadings in peak times in particular, especally between Leam Lane and Gateshead so either using solars or the Citaro as you suggest would be a good choice imo.
The 27 for double deckers? No way, I have never seen the 27 ever full from what I seen, never mind justifying getting a double decker, would be a waste of investment in my eyes. The only time this service ever get busy is if theres a late running service, between Heworth and Newcastle, barely anyone gets on and off and in the most part along that route, it is competing with the Metro and when that is running on time, there is ever only going to be one winner. Maybe they should think of running the 27 through Felling Square again like they used too?
When the time comes for replacement (probably in the 2015/16 financial year), Versas or Streetlites will do the job on the 57. It's not a long demanding route, and the Versas have proven themselves on the banks on the route of the 58. There are other services in the region which are more demanding which could benefit from cascaded or newer Mercedes Citaros.
Behind the Angel and Fab56, the Crusader carries some of the most passengers in the region! It must be said that this does not dictate profit levels: a large proportion of the Crusader's passengers are Concessionary Pass holders. I have said this before and I will say it again - Go North East is very good at seeing the future potential in services being upgraded. If there is potential for growth on top of what there is at present, I have absolutely no doubt that double deckers will be of preference. Whether they are cascaded from the Angel or are brand new remains to be seen. Allocating double deckers to the 27 service will be very helpful to Riverside when the Metros are not operational between Newcastle/Gateshead and Heworth (and beyond on the yellow line) too. When tickets are accepted on the 27 service, the Mercs have to be taken off and replaced by Volvo B7 double decks straight away. Allocating them full time means you don't have that struggle!