Stagecoach MCSL - Chester & Wirral Depots

[mbonwick]

RE: Stagecoach Chester & Wirral
You're missing the timescale here, and interpreting it in a hopelessly optimistic way.

On 3rd November, Merseyside were aware of what they were getting - ex-Midlands Gold branded buses. They haven't said anything about what they will do with them, just that they're getting them.

If Chester were getting "proper" Gold vehicles (and not those already discussed), then they would have to be brand new - there's only one batch of Gold Solos (well 2 actually but 1 lot have only just entered service so will be staying put) - and that's the batch from Midlands which are all accounted for.
For this hypothetical situation to occur, Stagecoach would have had to have extended the order with Optare beyond that agreed back in February (which has never happened since yearly group orders came in), and have scheduled the delivery for January (which has happened, but is highly unusual).

Further, I'm not aware myself, nor aware of anyone else who knows of any vehicles other than the ex-Midlands lot for Chester.