They have used RS before in the past, although i'd agree it's uncommon, likewise they've used Watermill in the past but again it's uncommon.
The Panther's were the vehicles i was mentioning when i said it was "too little too late", 2 Plaxton Elite's were also meant to be joining Coach Hire last year (I'll try and find a photo of the two in question) but the purchase of them fell through (This was around the same time they bought 20812). Agree regarding the Levante's, they're pretty unreliable which is to be expected for Levante. The Panther they currently have (20613) doesn't look that bad, i had a decent look round it last Sunday and it still seems fairly tidy minus the carpet on the side walls - additionally they've finally sorted the mirrors out so they match. One of the things that bothers me with FACH is the clear lack of interest in presentation, perhaps one of the more stand out examples being that they'll put wheel trims on the front wheels but not on the rear wheels and vise-versa. Private hire at weekends would still be touring, albeit day tours. Quite surprising if what you're saying about the 2011 Panther's not getting a deep clean is true.
I take it you're yet another Ex-FACH driver? Not expecting the coach hire side to be lasting much longer, the only worth left in it really is the school contracts, but then even with those you have to question if it's worth having a totally different brand and team of drivers. I believe the supervisor (or whatever his full role title is) has jumped the ship now too.
I can categorically tell you they've never used RS coaches.
Doesn't matter what they should have received, point is they didn't buy the Elites. 20613 doesn't look bad per day but it looks a lot worse now than it did when it arrived. Lot more surface dust and also it's gained a single red seatbelt since it arrived which just looks poor.
I agree regarding presentation, poor show that they don't seem to realise that part of a coach hire business is fleet presentation. They try to run it like a service bus business in the sense that a bus is a bus and the customers don't care which isn't true.
Private hire work and tour work is not the same thing. Tour work requires a much higher standard of coach which First don't have - even 20812.
Whilst they still have the Robert Gordon's contract they'll continue I imagine. Their regular games buses along with weekend private hires make having the coach hire worthwhile in itself. There is 2 coaching supervisors 1 has left but the other is still there and the one who left has been replaced. Life goes on...