Alexander ALX400 Lifespan

[Username]

There are still a few First Bus ALX400s roming around West Yorkshire. There are none in Leeds as the last set were transfered over to Halifax a few years ago. Currently, Bradford has 3, Huddersfield has six, and I am not going to even bother counting how many Halifax has. My question is how long will the buses stay in the fleet and what will replace them?

[simon]

I think most are used on mainly school work. So I expect mileage will be kept to a minimum due to their age.

But if they are still mechanically good and the chassis is in good fettle. Then they maybe around for a year or two yet?

However their booked value won't be very high. So a major MOT failure resuling in a high cost to put right. May see them off.

[jus363]

Halifax has 14
Huddersfield has 6
Bradford has 3.

[Username]

Nov 30, 2021 12:34:13 GMT 1 jus363 said:

Halifax has 14
Huddersfield has 6
Bradford has 3.

Cheers, I have just edited the Bradford one to say 3 instead of 2.

[Username]

Nov 30, 2021 11:19:48 GMT 1 simon said:

I think most are used on mainly school work. So I expect mileage will be kept to a minimum due to their age.

But if they are still mechanically good and the chassis is in good fettle. Then they maybe around for a year or two yet?

However their booked value won't be very high. So a major MOT failure resuling in a high cost to put right. May see them off.

In Calderdale, they are usually used for school services however there has been the odd few on 521 and 590. There was also one on the Brighouse School Part Route of 548, which I doubt First run anymore. They also got rid of the Calder High Part route of 592.
In Kirklees, you often see them on public buses, mainly 183/185/186 routes, Huddersfield-Marsden also they are commonly seen on the Holme Valley Connection Routes (or what used to be HV Connection). 
In Bradford, it's sought of a mix and match you can get them on school routes for a few days and then get them on public routes for a few days. If they are in service, they are seen most of the time on 613/614/617/618.