(12 Sep 2019, 3:49 pm)streetdeckfan wrote I see where you're coming from, but I think with the red kites being 3 different services, having 2 different interiors would be less jarring than having them all on one service.
The specs are actually quite different, the 16 plates have sockets at every seat whereas the 67 plates (and presumably 69 plates) only have them at the tables, the 67 plates have extra padding on the seats as well as being different colours, and the 69 plates will only be part leather and a different colour yet again. The 16 plates are also missing the glass staircase.

I don't get your logic - in one breath saying it's naff having different batches of StreetDecks on the X21, and in the next saying allocate 6301-07 to the X45/6/7 (so you'd have the same issue there?!) There have been two different interior specifications since May. 6332 had made up the PVR of the X21 with just 7 branded for a PVR of 8, since the route was extended to Tindale Crescent (and indeed since delivery 6332 has spent most of its time being the spare bus for the X21).

Repainting 6332 and 6333 for the X21 provides customers on this route with a more reliable service, and displaces the older StreetDecks to become spare vehicles for the 21/X21 (three rather than just two). The three oldest StreetDecks, 6301 - 6303, have been identified as some of the most problematic (incurring the most defects and/or off service most frequently).

The partial renewal of the fleet with two new buses having been ordered also shows Go North East's commitment to improving commuter services and investing into its new X-lines brand.

I'm with JP6004 on this one...