The two white E200s with BoS haven’t tracked since 20th November so it’s safe to assume they’re away being repainted.
Indeed they are. Streetlites next
They're still 17 years old; I'd be surprised if they got painted.
I wondered that but apparently, they are to replace the Tridents that they got back from Dan Shears and are on their last legs.
The mention of Aberdonian B9s was a new one but did come from a reliable source. Either way, whether they head to WoE or Glasgow, it could release some B7TLs for redeployment; mind you, First have also got BASE rental vehicles in Scotland too.
The enlarged fleet is needed for two reasons.
1. The 30 MMCs are still at SPS pending an order for new deckers
2. Although some contracts are not operating due to Covid, there is a much greater number of duplicates required to provide extra capacity for scholars in the main network, for the University and for Truro College.
Therefore in addition to the 30 MMCs releasing 30 vehicles on their return, others will be released when social distancing ends.
Somerset has considerable duplicates requiring PVR over and above the reduced network PVR.
The 9 Volvos in the process of joining the fleet now are actually to release the 4 Scania single decks back to HDB, to release the ex Leeds Scania Solar to scrap and to release a number of Tridents back to Winkleigh
While some of the latter have failed, the principal reason is because they are low capacity, had destination screens and other First systems removed before the original disposal, so the cascades deal with those issues.
The 5 Scanias being single decks were what was available at the time but there are limited uses for them in Cornwall.
However, none will leave for a few weeks as there is a very large rail job in the coming weeks in Cornwall that is being covered in full (but including an appearance by most of the Bristol Airport MMC fleet)
There is no plan or current identified need to put the ALXs into the permanent Cornwall fleet.
The Geminis will join though.
The 10 Base Volvos and the 3 Ensign E400s remain on hire alongside all the transfers in.