(09 Jan 2021, 4:00 pm)Ryland Has 7401 lost it sights of Whitby Branding ?

(10 Jan 2021, 10:28 am)Ryland When you say coming to the end of it's contract what exactly do you mean

(08 Apr 2021, 5:32 pm)NewcastleOne 7405 has been repainted but not branded. Also it looks like the seats have had a retrim or had the Max removed.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/190622450@N04/51102735268/
Credit to the photographer.

(20 Apr 2021, 9:54 am)Jimmi 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

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

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

(20 Apr 2021, 6:20 pm)L469 YVK 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, 7:12 pm)Storx 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, 7:35 pm)Dan 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 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 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.