North East Buses

(20 Apr 2021, 9:54 am)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]I'm on 7401 now and the seats now have Sapphire logos stitched in and USB ports have been fitted under the windows. MAX interior branding remains

Isn't that the old Sapphire logo?

(20 Apr 2021, 10:31 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Isn't that the old Sapphire logo?

Yes, no recently refurbished vehicles have managed to get the new logo unfortunately, only the new Wright stock (even they used the 2017 version...)

(20 Apr 2021, 10:31 am)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]Isn't that the old Sapphire logo?

They've cheapened it completely! The interior of the ex Yorkshire Geminis even looks better than these do!

Given the age of the vehicles and time since Sapphire & MAX were initially launched, they could've went the extra mile and completely relaunched with a new 'X' & premium brands and a full refurbishment. Typical half a**e job from Arriva yet again! Given the current climate, surely they want to attract customers?

No doubt the big wigs in Bensham & Hull will be looking at opportunites to compete against this!

(20 Apr 2021, 6:20 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]They've cheapened it completely! The interior of the ex Yorkshire Geminis even looks better than these do!

Given the age of the vehicles and time since Sapphire & MAX were initially launched, they could've went the extra mile and completely relaunched with a new 'X' & premium brands and a full refurbishment. Typical half a**e job from Arriva yet again! Given the current climate, surely they want to attract customers?

No doubt the big wigs in Bensham & Hull will be looking at opportunites to compete against this!

I know this isn't a GNE thread but since you've mentioned them. GNE have literally just put 11 year old Citaro's which aren't in any form of X-Lines interior on the X20. Just saying. Not sure having a different logo on a seat head rest will make much difference tbh. There's plenty buses needing a refurbishment but 7401-7406 isn't one of them imo and spec wise they've got everything for Sapphire. The Pulsars still running around in the old Arriva livery and interior especially the 09 plates - some constantly on MAX/Sapphire routes are much more urgent imo.

(20 Apr 2021, 7:12 pm)Storx wrote [ -> ]I know this isn't a GNE thread but since you've mentioned them. GNE have literally just put 11 year old Citaro's which aren't in any form of X-Lines interior on the X20. Just saying. Not sure having a different logo on a seat head rest will make much difference tbh. There's plenty buses needing a refurbishment but 7401-7406 isn't one of them imo and spec wise they've got everything for Sapphire. The Pulsars still running around in the old Arriva livery and interior especially the 09 plates - some constantly on MAX/Sapphire routes are much more urgent imo.

Go North East has never created an 'X-lines interior' - so why don't the 11-year old Citaros you refer to fit the bill? All Go North East has said about the specification of X-lines is that buses would be fitted with high-back seats, Wi-Fi, USB charging points and next stop announcements, which the Citaros are.

Clearly a specification has been devised on newer buses and where dedicated refurbishments have taken place (Civic V3 seats with cream headrests, or ADL Smart Seats where they can be fitted), but it has never been explicitly stated that they would be a certain colour or type otherwise.

Absolutely no bias at all here, but if you've ever travelled on the Volvo B9s on service X93, you'll know those seats are absolutely atrocious for a long-distance journey. This would have been an ideal opportunity to replace the seats with something more appropriate (even a direct swap between the older MAX-specification Volvo B7s at Durham, where shorter distance journeys are made) and comfortable for its passengers. It is frankly bizarre that they'd replace the MAX logo with a Sapphire one, especially the now-defunct logo, at that.

(20 Apr 2021, 7:35 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Absolutely no bias at all here, but if you've ever travelled on the Volvo B9s on service X93, you'll know those seats are absolutely atrocious for a long-distance journey. This would have been an ideal opportunity to replace the seats with something more appropriate (even a direct swap between the older MAX-specification Volvo B7s at Durham, where shorter distance journeys are made) and comfortable for its passengers. It is frankly bizarre that they'd replace the MAX logo with a Sapphire one, especially the now-defunct logo, at that.

I always thought it was a touch odd they went to all the trouble of giving them a full refurb when brand new but stuck with those seats. The couple of times I've used the X93 I've looked for the B7TL boards and struck lucky with a DB300 filling in for a B9 too. 

It's good to see they're finally investing some money into repaints and refurbs (whatever the motivation may have been...) but if we're honest there is still a huge amount of work to do to get the fleet up to a decent standard - looking at you Cotswold Stone.

(20 Apr 2021, 7:35 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Go North East has never created an 'X-lines interior' - so why don't the 11-year old Citaros you refer to fit the bill? All Go North East has said about the specification of X-lines is that buses would be fitted with high-back seats, Wi-Fi, USB charging points and next stop announcements, which the Citaros are.

Clearly a specification has been devised on newer buses and where dedicated refurbishments have taken place (Civic V3 seats with cream headrests, or ADL Smart Seats where they can be fitted), but it has never been explicitly stated that they would be a certain colour or type otherwise.

Absolutely no bias at all here, but if you've ever travelled on the Volvo B9s on service X93, you'll know those seats are absolutely atrocious for a long-distance journey. This would have been an ideal opportunity to replace the seats with something more appropriate (even a direct swap between the older MAX-specification Volvo B7s at Durham, where shorter distance journeys are made) and comfortable for its passengers. It is frankly bizarre that they'd replace the MAX logo with a Sapphire one, especially the now-defunct logo, at that.

Wasn't really a dig at GNE was more just about standard wise they're not that bad in terms of interior. I haven't been on them so can't comment on the seats though. The head rests is a bit weird but it's better than having Sapphire buses on the outside with Max interior inside I suppose and least they've fitted the USB chargers on a route which would benefit from them.

Was more it would be a waste of money giving them a full refurb when there's stuff like 1407/1409 running around in the grim hybrid Arriva 1999/2005 interior with Durham's good maintenance of burnt seatbacks running around on Blyth MAX routes or the frequenta Pulsars running on the Sapphire X3/X4 daily with none of the cons and desperate for a refurb. Rather see those refurbished first before doing 7401-06 again. The 7 and 17/17A in Stockton also with the unrefurbished 09/10 plates are other core routes which are desperate for some investment aswell imo and have potential for growth if done right.

Not saying GNE are perfect. Every operator is guilty of cutting the 'odd corner' (especially in these times) but Arriva do it very blatently.

All comes down to the bottom line sadly though and perhaps DB are looking to get rid and only do the bare minimum legally required.

Since they are upgrading the x93 will they do the same with the sapphire x3/4

(20 Apr 2021, 7:35 pm)Dan wrote [ -> ]Go North East has never created an 'X-lines interior' - so why don't the 11-year old Citaros you refer to fit the bill? All Go North East has said about the specification of X-lines is that buses would be fitted with high-back seats, Wi-Fi, USB charging points and next stop announcements, which the Citaros are.

Clearly a specification has been devised on newer buses and where dedicated refurbishments have taken place (Civic V3 seats with cream headrests, or ADL Smart Seats where they can be fitted), but it has never been explicitly stated that they would be a certain colour or type otherwise.

Absolutely no bias at all here, but if you've ever travelled on the Volvo B9s on service X93, you'll know those seats are absolutely atrocious for a long-distance journey. This would have been an ideal opportunity to replace the seats with something more appropriate (even a direct swap between the older MAX-specification Volvo B7s at Durham, where shorter distance journeys are made) and comfortable for its passengers. It is frankly bizarre that they'd replace the MAX logo with a Sapphire one, especially the now-defunct logo, at that.

The same thing can be said about the Citaros, those seats are absolutely horrendous!

(20 Apr 2021, 9:41 pm)streetdeckfan wrote [ -> ]The same thing can be said about the Citaros, those seats are absolutely horrendous!

I disagree. I’ve never had any issues with comfort on the Citaro seats, you’re the only enthusiast I know to have ever complained about them!


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(21 Apr 2021, 4:35 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]I disagree. I’ve never had any issues with comfort on the Citaro seats, you’re the only enthusiast I know to have ever complained about them!


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There's definitely been others on here mentioning the lack of padding on the seat bases on the refurbed Citaros. 
They were tolerable before they went away, but when they came back they felt even thinner.

(21 Apr 2021, 4:35 am)Dan wrote [ -> ]I disagree. I’ve never had any issues with comfort on the Citaro seats, you’re the only enthusiast I know to have ever complained about them!


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I normally find citaros fine to sit on and quite comfortable especially the 06s.

(21 Apr 2021, 5:31 am)GNE6312 wrote [ -> ]I normally find citaros fine to sit on and quite comfortable especially the 06s.

I don't think I've been on any of the refurbed ones that I'd describe as comfortable.
I don't mind the ex-bluestar ones, the ones I've used seem to have a bit of cushion left in them rather than just feeling like leather covered plastic

(29 Mar 2021, 10:05 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]7406 now also reported as repainted, with 7401 in line to be next according to a post on an ANE enthusiast page.

7401:

Arriva North East: 7401 / NK64FSF by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

7402 has also now similarly been repainted:

Arriva North East: 7402 / NK64FSG by Daniel Graham, on Flickr

Believe it's only 7403 /4 left to do.

Any clues to what the design going to be like

(03 May 2021, 7:14 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]Believe it's only 7403 /4 left to do.

Any clues to what the design going to be like

7404 is being done now, last saw service on Wednesday.

To be fair, the actual Sapphire base livery isn't too bad and looks decent on 7401-06.

But IMO, Arriva should've taken the opportunity to refresh their Sapphire / MAX brands.

Maybe a livery similar to the Whitby P&R for premium services then, a new MAX livery for 'X' routes.

(03 May 2021, 9:19 pm)L469 YVK wrote [ -> ]To be fair, the actual Sapphire base livery isn't too bad and looks decent on 7401-06.

But IMO, Arriva should've taken the opportunity to refresh their Sapphire / MAX brands.

Maybe a livery similar to the Whitby P&R for premium services then, a new MAX livery for 'X' routes.

There had plenty of time to refresh the sapphire brand to the updated brand , max brand doesn’t exist no more even though the buses are still branded

What ever happened to the x21/x22 being branded sapphire ages ago?


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(04 May 2021, 7:41 am)cbma06 wrote [ -> ]There had plenty of time to refresh the sapphire brand to the updated brand , max brand doesn’t exist no more even though the buses are still branded

What ever happened to the x21/x22 being branded sapphire ages ago?


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Ashington or County Durham's?

Ashington's is still Sapphire, but County Durham's was rumoured to be branded as Max but the new liveries started to be introduced shortly after those rumours.

(04 May 2021, 8:37 am)omnicity4659 wrote [ -> ]Ashington or County Durham's?

Ashington's is still Sapphire, but County Durham's was rumoured to be branded as Max but the new liveries started to be introduced shortly after those rumours.

Yea County Durham, I think the x22 was going sapphire with the southern section of route going every 30 minutes or might of been a peak times, don’t know if the timetable got changed


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(20 Apr 2021, 9:54 am)Jimmi wrote [ -> ]I'm on 7401 now and the seats now have Sapphire logos stitched in and USB ports have been fitted under the windows. MAX interior branding remains

So really just the same seats but with the word Sapphire added.

When are expecting the new branding to be added, and is there going to be a relaunch

(26 May 2021, 9:47 pm)Ryland wrote [ -> ]When are expecting the new branding to be added, and is there going to be a relaunch

Probably not, just disappointing to see unbranded buses floating around when it's the perfect time to grow passenger numbers. Doesn't really promote Redcar's flagship route...

(28 May 2021, 10:31 pm)jasondarby123 wrote [ -> ]Probably not, just disappointing to see unbranded buses floating around when it's the perfect time to grow passenger numbers. Doesn't really promote Redcar's flagship route...

I'm not sure the X93 is Redcar's flagship route mind. I'd say that's the 63 which has regularly had new buses over the years is their flagship route personally. Bar the B9TL's the X93 has never had new buses and they only got them as nothing in the fleet could run the route.

Branding on 7426 was completed at Redcar yesterday, it looks very different and will certainly stand out! Could be out on an X94 board today so keep an eye out...
I believe 7403 is back as the last B9 to be repainted too, so I expect those will be branded soon as well


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(29 May 2021, 6:35 am)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Branding on 7426 was completed at Redcar yesterday, it looks very different and will certainly stand out! Could be out on an X94 board today so keep an eye out...

Wonder if they've got some sort of deal with all the sweet shops along the coast... 

(29 May 2021, 7:17 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Worked the 0745 off Middlesbrough. Wonder if they've got some sort of deal with all the sweet shops along the coast... 

Oh interesting, that one tracked as 7405 for those chasing it!


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(29 May 2021, 7:20 am)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Oh interesting, that one tracked as 7405 for those chasing it!

Ignore my last post! Helps if I'd checked the date...

(29 May 2021, 7:23 am)mb134 wrote [ -> ]Ignore my last post! Helps if I'd checked the date...

Ah [emoji23] Ok yeah - I think it may appear on the 0845 or 0945 though


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