(06 Dec 2015, 10:04 pm)mb134 wrote A thought on this;

To me, the X18 is more suited to Sapphire than it is to MAX. It isn't exactly an express service, taking an hour longer than the X15 from Berwick to Alnwick, and 2 hours longer from Berwick to Newcastle. I also think NSA's and power sockets would be pretty useful on the route, especially for the long ones.

If the X20 continues to do well, throw 7529-32 on that, 5 new Sapphire E400 MMCs for the X18, and have 7533 as an additional MAX spare? 7412-15 could then be dispersed across the region as MAX spares.

I would suggest converting the X10/11 to MAX, however I can't begin to imagine how bad that would be with the way Blyth allocate. (Thinking about the no-quibble guarantee).

I think the X18 wants to be put on its own brand along with the X15...Coast & Castles..?! Arriva-standard interior though, with WiFi, sockets and NSAs. Hell, throw the X20 into the C&C brand too.

I think the 308 should be upgraded to MAX-spec, retaining the Eco-Green livery, but without 308 branding. All other routes will lose branding in favour for a generic "Electric Hybrids for Blyth" and "Quick, comfortable connections from Arriva". To keep Blyth's vehicles consistent, services 1 and 2 upgraded to Arriva-standard with high-back seats.

The 35 is in dire need of an upgrade, fobbing passengers off with a half WiFi allocation. In the unique way Ashington operate with the 35 as a low-priority route over the likes of the X14/5/8 and X20/1/2, something needs to be done about the quality and management of this service. Withdrawing trips to provide another service with a ticket machine is down-right disgusting.