Cheers AB93, will be interesting to see what appears as a lot of the non P&R stock is getting seriously tatty inside. Odd that First never seem to do interior refurbs like other operators (or I've never come across one anyway).
The general interior state of all of the First fleet is shocking threadbare seats, non working heating and crumbling flooring it makes you laugh that they’ll put WiFi in a bus but won’t make sure the heating works or the seats are actually clean and comfortable to sit on
There was a refurb programme in 2012/3 and since then, it has been more on a company by company basis so....
First Hampshire and Dorset have done quite a number and it was noticeable that when travelling on First South Yorkshire last month, one vehicle that I got on and looked much better was indeed a former Weymouth Eclipse.
First West of England have refurbished a lot of vehicles - they've done some older deckers surprisingly for certain Bristol city services and this has continued with various ALXs Eclipses and Geminis being refurbished though usually for specific route relaunches (e.g. Mendip Explorer, Discover, Bath City 5). Note: there are still quite a number with very careworn interior and exterior condition that, I assume, are destined for transfer elsewhere!
First Midlands have similarly done refurbs for the Salt Road and the Nimrod routes (plus various other assorted spare Citaros), First Berkshire are doing their 6 year old Volvo hybrids to Heathrow, First Glasgow are busy getting various Geminis refurbished for specific routes, and First Cymru are refurbishing various Eclipses to go with their new red colour scheme.
So it isn't quite true that First don't do interior refurbs. That said, I've also travelled on other First OpCos and fully appreciate that not every one is getting the same attention and if you're served by an OpCo that doesn't do that, then that is YOUR reality!!
First York is a very old fleet these days, aside from the electric Versas on the P&R. My brother in law lives near Acomb and the 4 has gone from FTR (!) to a motley collection of vehicles - last time I had a B7L that was very careworn! Any idea on the newer fleet - hope it's more than just cascading the Eclipses on the P&R to regular work (though that would be beneficial in getting shot of the B7Ls)???
