(26 Oct 2014, 9:05 pm)DaveyBowyer wrote For the MAX next stop announcements, they should either use Heart or Metro Radio. I know Jenny sounds more professional but, Steve and Karen or Gary and Lisa would give a much more local feel to MAX services.

Have to agree, here.

The monotonous voice with no regional accent makes the Next Stop Announcements a lot less personal, and I'd even suggest that it makes them more repetitive so passengers are likely to resent the announcements even more.
The announcements on Go North East's "Fab Fifty Six" and "Cobalt Clipper" buses are far superior in my opinion. Admittedly, I think that some of the cheesy lines used on the "Red Arrows" are a step too far, and I think that these ought to be reviewed at some point...

Of course if professionality is the image Arriva are wanting, then perhaps the monotonous voices are better in their eyes. Perhaps they should reflect their perception of professionality on their repaints, too. As I have already mentioned, the lack of consistency in livery designs when repainting buses is incredibly poor and doesn't show professionality in the slightest.