There's one other reason for auto boxes which is clutch life.  Traditionally in smaller fleets with less drivers per vehicel and some may argue a higher overall standard of driver due to more supervision they don't have big problems, but large fleets have a history of drivers prematurely burning out clutches and hence having vehicless broken down all over the place.  BE took a batch of manual Volvo's in 1996 and they were lying down everywhere with clutches destroyed, hence they were returned early in the lease.

I'm not saying I know what's coming either I just think with state finances the way they are and management at BE continuing at excelling in loosing money it will probably be something cheap and cheerful and I'd be happy to have SC type vehicles compared with the alternatives.  Yes the PB's, VanHools, Setras and Neoplans are all great great vehicles but if something chepaer does the same job well I'd be happy to run with that in the current climate.