I haven't rode them yet so can't comment if i like them or notI don't mind the EcoCitys, much more comfortable than the Solos previously used on the 21 especially if you get one of the ex demonstrators with the big high-backed seats I sat on 4812 for 1hour and 45minutes and I felt comfortable for the full journey between Newton Aycliffe and Sunderland.
Look at the X7 now... it started off slow now the numbers are really good.
Yeah the X7 was the same when it started but had a bit more than the X21 does plus GNE are better at advertising than Arriva, only saw timetables on the EcoCitys once and that was when an Arriva Angel took some out of the box and put them in the timetable slot, I imagine they were handing the rest out in Peterlee Bus Station again.