(15 Mar 2015, 11:04 am)Dan wrote This is the problem I have, like I said yesterday.
As a brand, I associate "MAX" with buses fitted with e-leather seating that feature the provision of free Wi-Fi. Services which aren't even branded as "MAX", yet are to this specification, are presented in a better light than some "MAX" specification services / vehicles.
e-leather seating and wifi has become the standard spec on all new and refurbished buses in the Arriva fleet which is why the E200s at Durham got it. Why they got plug sockets I don't know but they're fitted now so I guess they'll stay like that.
MAX was designed (by North East/Yorkshire) give the interurban routes a bit of identity and upgrade the standard being offered to our passengers. However I agree that the Scanias don't look great with the green flooring etc but I can see why it wasn't done. I'm not sure it's as offensive when you're on them than what it looks on photos either, I travelled on a few the other day and barely noticed it... The seat backs not matching the fronts of the seats are much more visible in my opinion.
Sapphire was designed by Arriva UK (and DB) as an attempt to grow passenger numbers on a select number of services with the right credentials and this has been proven on all of the routes it has been implemented on so far... Some with more success than others it must be said, it will be interesting to see how the "class of 2015" do. There needs to be more of an effort made by several depots who were chosen to receive the upgrade and the implementation is poor to say the least. A lot of it is little things that can be improved with very little effort and the fact it is lacking just makes the product offering look poor.