(20 Apr 2021, 9:54 am)Jimmi wrote I'm on 7401 now and the seats now have Sapphire logos stitched in and USB ports have been fitted under the windows. MAX interior branding remains

(20 Apr 2021, 10:31 am)streetdeckfan wrote Isn't that the old Sapphire logo?

(20 Apr 2021, 10:31 am)streetdeckfan wrote Isn't that the old Sapphire logo?

(20 Apr 2021, 6:20 pm)L469 YVK wrote They've cheapened it completely! The interior of the ex Yorkshire Geminis even looks better than these do!

Given the age of the vehicles and time since Sapphire & MAX were initially launched, they could've went the extra mile and completely relaunched with a new 'X' & premium brands and a full refurbishment. Typical half a**e job from Arriva yet again! Given the current climate, surely they want to attract customers?

No doubt the big wigs in Bensham & Hull will be looking at opportunites to compete against this!

(20 Apr 2021, 7:12 pm)Storx wrote I know this isn't a GNE thread but since you've mentioned them. GNE have literally just put 11 year old Citaro's which aren't in any form of X-Lines interior on the X20. Just saying. Not sure having a different logo on a seat head rest will make much difference tbh. There's plenty buses needing a refurbishment but 7401-7406 isn't one of them imo and spec wise they've got everything for Sapphire. The Pulsars still running around in the old Arriva livery and interior especially the 09 plates - some constantly on MAX/Sapphire routes are much more urgent imo.

(20 Apr 2021, 7:35 pm)Dan wrote Absolutely no bias at all here, but if you've ever travelled on the Volvo B9s on service X93, you'll know those seats are absolutely atrocious for a long-distance journey. This would have been an ideal opportunity to replace the seats with something more appropriate (even a direct swap between the older MAX-specification Volvo B7s at Durham, where shorter distance journeys are made) and comfortable for its passengers. It is frankly bizarre that they'd replace the MAX logo with a Sapphire one, especially the now-defunct logo, at that.

(20 Apr 2021, 7:35 pm)Dan wrote Go North East has never created an 'X-lines interior' - so why don't the 11-year old Citaros you refer to fit the bill? All Go North East has said about the specification of X-lines is that buses would be fitted with high-back seats, Wi-Fi, USB charging points and next stop announcements, which the Citaros are.

Clearly a specification has been devised on newer buses and where dedicated refurbishments have taken place (Civic V3 seats with cream headrests, or ADL Smart Seats where they can be fitted), but it has never been explicitly stated that they would be a certain colour or type otherwise.

Absolutely no bias at all here, but if you've ever travelled on the Volvo B9s on service X93, you'll know those seats are absolutely atrocious for a long-distance journey. This would have been an ideal opportunity to replace the seats with something more appropriate (even a direct swap between the older MAX-specification Volvo B7s at Durham, where shorter distance journeys are made) and comfortable for its passengers. It is frankly bizarre that they'd replace the MAX logo with a Sapphire one, especially the now-defunct logo, at that.

(20 Apr 2021, 7:35 pm)Dan wrote Go North East has never created an 'X-lines interior' - so why don't the 11-year old Citaros you refer to fit the bill? All Go North East has said about the specification of X-lines is that buses would be fitted with high-back seats, Wi-Fi, USB charging points and next stop announcements, which the Citaros are.

Clearly a specification has been devised on newer buses and where dedicated refurbishments have taken place (Civic V3 seats with cream headrests, or ADL Smart Seats where they can be fitted), but it has never been explicitly stated that they would be a certain colour or type otherwise.

Absolutely no bias at all here, but if you've ever travelled on the Volvo B9s on service X93, you'll know those seats are absolutely atrocious for a long-distance journey. This would have been an ideal opportunity to replace the seats with something more appropriate (even a direct swap between the older MAX-specification Volvo B7s at Durham, where shorter distance journeys are made) and comfortable for its passengers. It is frankly bizarre that they'd replace the MAX logo with a Sapphire one, especially the now-defunct logo, at that.

(20 Apr 2021, 9:41 pm)streetdeckfan wrote The same thing can be said about the Citaros, those seats are absolutely horrendous!

(21 Apr 2021, 4:35 am)Dan wrote I disagree. I’ve never had any issues with comfort on the Citaro seats, you’re the only enthusiast I know to have ever complained about them!


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(21 Apr 2021, 4:35 am)Dan wrote I disagree. I’ve never had any issues with comfort on the Citaro seats, you’re the only enthusiast I know to have ever complained about them!


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(21 Apr 2021, 5:31 am)GNE6312 wrote I normally find citaros fine to sit on and quite comfortable especially the 06s.

(29 Mar 2021, 10:05 am)mb134 wrote 7406 now also reported as repainted, with 7401 in line to be next according to a post on an ANE enthusiast page.

(03 May 2021, 7:14 pm)Ryland wrote Believe it's only 7403 /4 left to do.

Any clues to what the design going to be like

(03 May 2021, 9:19 pm)L469 YVK wrote To be fair, the actual Sapphire base livery isn't too bad and looks decent on 7401-06.

But IMO, Arriva should've taken the opportunity to refresh their Sapphire / MAX brands.

Maybe a livery similar to the Whitby P&R for premium services then, a new MAX livery for 'X' routes.

(04 May 2021, 7:41 am)cbma06 wrote There had plenty of time to refresh the sapphire brand to the updated brand , max brand doesn’t exist no more even though the buses are still branded

What ever happened to the x21/x22 being branded sapphire ages ago?


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(04 May 2021, 8:37 am)omnicity4659 wrote Ashington or County Durham's?

Ashington's is still Sapphire, but County Durham's was rumoured to be branded as Max but the new liveries started to be introduced shortly after those rumours.

(20 Apr 2021, 9:54 am)Jimmi wrote I'm on 7401 now and the seats now have Sapphire logos stitched in and USB ports have been fitted under the windows. MAX interior branding remains

(26 May 2021, 9:47 pm)Ryland wrote When are expecting the new branding to be added, and is there going to be a relaunch

(28 May 2021, 10:31 pm)jasondarby123 wrote Probably not, just disappointing to see unbranded buses floating around when it's the perfect time to grow passenger numbers. Doesn't really promote Redcar's flagship route...

(29 May 2021, 6:35 am)tyresmoke wrote Branding on 7426 was completed at Redcar yesterday, it looks very different and will certainly stand out! Could be out on an X94 board today so keep an eye out...

(29 May 2021, 7:17 am)mb134 wrote Worked the 0745 off Middlesbrough. Wonder if they've got some sort of deal with all the sweet shops along the coast... 

(29 May 2021, 7:20 am)tyresmoke wrote Oh interesting, that one tracked as 7405 for those chasing it!

(29 May 2021, 7:23 am)mb134 wrote Ignore my last post! Helps if I'd checked the date...