(24 Feb 2021, 7:27 pm)mb134 wrote I honestly think it depends on what element of the bus we're talking about, it isn't black and white. In terms of the actual vehicles, I'd always have more faith in an Olympian getting me somewhere than I'd have in an E400/StreetDeck. Equally, I'd always prefer the old Northumbria style (https://flic.kr/p/7RXw7G) DP seating to a Civic V3 which is the norm these days.
That said, the general ambience of a new vehicle is far more pleasant than something from even 10-15 years ago. Things like improved interior lighting, better fixtures and fittings and improved material choices/colours all contribute to passengers feeling more comfortable in their surroundings, particularly on later journeys where its dark and older vehicles were quite gloomy. Not to mention how certain batches of older vehicles were in the rain, or over the winter, with water ingress issues and poor heating. Then things like WiFi, NSAs, USBs all add to that.
Never had those Volvo Olympian's but believe the Scania single deckers had the same seats and they were quite possibly the best bus seats I've ever come across.
The ride quality on buses now is absolutely diabolical in a lot of instances, I've been to rallies and had preserved buses all day float along roads with barely a rattle... and then it's time to go home and I have to be subjected to a StreetLite where you feel every little bump in the road and rattle/idle like the bus is shivering from being subjected to sub zero temperatures, I had one of Darlington's on the Dalesbus 830 to Hawes in 2019 and everyone thought it was gonna break their spines it was that unpleasant of a ride but yet Solo's didn't have this issue anywhere near as much.
The seating in a lot of modern stuff isn't anywhere near as comfortable in some cases IMO, even on some that are considered to be 'high spec' the e-leather ones being the worst especially the early GNE ones like on 16 plate Decks and Arriva's in most cases are even worse, absolute torture the time I had an 'Eco Green' Lite for a full 685 journey with them very firm seats.
Whilst buses are much more visually pleasing in many cases and stuff like WiFi and USB ports are nice, I feel the quality has dipped significantly in about the last 10-20 years in terms of comfort at least and supposedly in at least some cases the newer stuff is considered to be less robust, less reliable and require more in the way of work including new engines, some buses are hitting the road and new engines or serious work is required within the first week or so of them entering service.
Naturally not all the stuff from the past was brilliant, there was some elements from back then that is best left to the history books.