Turns out that the X93/X94 isn't getting branded as Sapphire after all.
Quite a tacky looking livery on the B9TLs in my opinion.
Overall I think it's smart, clean, and not OTT, which may not be to the taste of some people who prefer their liveries a bit more out there. Folk can see at a glance where it goes, and how often it goes there, and it almost entices them on with the "discover... onboard".
That said, I'm surprised they didn't at least advertise the USB charging, WiFi, and NSAs under the "every 30 minutes", looks a tad bare in that area.
For what is essentially sub route branding slapped onto a corporate livery, which is the way most of the big groups are going (looking at you Stagecoach), I think they've done a good job. Now to find out where Vorkshire is...
Looks smart, hopefully we can see some more brands like that in the future. (Maybe the coastliner branding for the 308/306 like on the E400s & ALXs)
In comparison to then x3/4 sapphire livery these has to be said look more presentable. The streetlites, pulsars and the remaining temsa are looking sorry for themselves often damaged and paint chipped away
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But the whole point of Sapphire is about it being "Premium". It would be like GNE deciding keep 6118-21 and repaint them into X-Lines despite being miles off.
Arriva if they did things properly would have a good image & network to go with it.
IMO, if some money appeared to facilitate an upgrade for the X18 & X93, they should launch ArrivaX and do the following:
- 11x New ADL E400MMC or OM936 StreetDeck for X18 & X93 + 1x spare at each depot
- 7529-7531 refurbished and allocated to the X14
- 7532-33 refurbished and allocated to X16
- 7553-56 refurbished and allocated to X15
- 7401-04 refurbished and allocated to X20
- 7405/06 refurbished and assigned as NE to spare
Streetdeck wouldn't handle the X93 there trailed one a few years ago and it failed
Yup, but it's not Sapphire specification bar the headrests that say it.
They've also used the 'Premium' livery on the exterior but have opted out of the Premium (or Sapphire in the UK) brand, which the guidelines allows them to do based on localised needs.