(04 Apr 2018, 9:41 pm)OrangeArrow49 What is different about MAX, Sapphire etc and when did Arriva introduce these separate identities?
MAX, for interurban express routes, buses new or refurbished with
pleather seating,
free WiFi. In 2016,
USB chargers added to refurbished vehicles following national Arriva specification change. MAX vehicles have Arriva 2009 spec plastics and flooring. Summer 2014-January 2018. It is now a defunct brand.
Sapphire, for selected routes which have potential, buses new or refurbished with
pleather seating,
free WiFi,
power sockets (3-pin/USB until 2016, USB 2016-present),
next stop announcements,
clockface timetables. Sapphire vehicles have bespoke plastics and flooring. End of 2013-present. "Sapphire" is now the local variation of "Arriva Premium"*.
Frequenta, for selected urban routes with a
frequency of every 10 minutes or better. No set specification. 2015-2018. It is now a defunct brand.
Standard, all vehicles new or refurbished,
free WiFi,
USB charging,
pleather seating. Arriva 2009 spec plastics and flooring. 2016-present.
*
Arriva Premium is the Arriva Group product name for premium specification bus and coach services in the UK and Europe, divisions can rename the brand to suit local needs, hence Arriva Sapphire in the UK. Arriva Express and Arriva Frequent are the other products available.
As of now, no vehicles should be repainted in liveries other than Arriva Standard, Arriva Premium, Arriva Express, Arriva Frequent, Arriva Green or Arriva Driver Training. Special liveries, such as TfL Red or joint ventures such as Cross Pennine are exempt.
