(18 Dec 2015, 12:08 am)Jimmi wrote Highly doubt that Arriva would have converted the X12 to Sapphire not long after making the service a MAX route and with older buses as well. Those 57 reg Enviro 400's probably aren't going to be coming off the X21/X22 anytime soon!
But if an operator felt that their route was going to be under significant threat as a result of another competitors actions, then it would be expected for them to take action to minimise the impact. I know then 57 plates aren't going anywhere anytime soon (sigh!) but even with a recent MAX upgrade, Arriva could've easily taken it one step further. And don't forget that them 6 deckers which are on there at the moment could've then just went to Blyth for the Quorums and X9. Only just realised this tonight as they're 9 E400s (not in best condition though but would suffice for the whole purpose of having a dig at a competitor) and the PVR of the X12 is 9. And if Arriva really wanted to be b******s on top of this, they could've even pulled out of Low Fell and run it direct to Gateshead to rub salt in the wound even further resulting in GNE in losing some but not all custom.
My whole point of mentioning this is that there are valid reasons why Citaro and Dan have to keep orders hush hush for a good while.