(21 Feb 2014, 1:25 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I don't think anyone uses a service based on vehicle type - no ones going to use X7 because it has Mercs just the same as no ones going to use angel because it hybrids. However reliability is something which is major issue with X7 the Renowns couldn't cope with the route, simple as. Journeys regularly broke down or wouldn't turn up, people didn't use the service because of reliability, if you're at Sunderland and X7 was/is so unreliable you'd just opt for the 23/24 despite taking 10 mins longer at least you'd get there, and the same at other locations Peterlee-Wingate the 21 is timed just behind it iirc and people will just opt for this service instead & at Seaham it's easier to get a 60 despite been longer.
Although I agree that customers won't use a service based on the vehicle type badge it carries (Mercedes in this case), the reliability reflected by said vehicle type might.
The intention of upgrading the Tyne Tees Xpress to B9TLs was to bring back lost custom as a result of the poor reliability caused by the B7TL allocation and to hopefully attract more from the train with the attractive free extras (Wi-Fi and power sockets). To bring last night's discussion into this, the investment costs were questioned when it came to vehicles costing £200k each - nevermind £350k each.
In the same way as the Tyne Tees Xpress did (and perhaps will again), I'd argue that the full potential of the Wear Tees Xpress hasn't been shown accurately because of passengers making judgements based on one poor experience (after all, that's all it takes). The Wear Tees Xpress certainly cannot justify new vehicles, but could justify what is believed to be the best single decker (in terms of reliability and comfort).
I hope that the new vehicles bring back lost custom and more.