(26 Apr 2015, 6:36 pm)nk55 wrote No doubt something will be in the planning, with the 6 going sapphire or max ( dont know the difference tbh ), gne will surely be looking at providing free wifi at least. Otherwise crook might aswell close and the X21 operate between durham and newcastle only!!
Sapphire/Max are pretty much the same, with the former having power sockets and NSAs, in addition to the free Wifi. ANE offer some competitive deals, incl. the Durham District ticket which will cover to Bishop on the 6, and Newcastle on the X12. I think you will get customers moving over for the luxury element, but I'd be more surprised if GNE didn't react to it, as it'd be out of character for a start!
Looking at Durham-Newcastle, I think the X12 is being rebranded to 'CRAB' instead of 'MAX' (Couldn't Run A Bath) - GNE really have nothing to worry about there, unless their customers' watches are 10 minutes slow.