RE: Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancashire
You're reading way too much into that. Arriva put omnicities on due to the appalling reliability of their coaches and following a high profile campaign by the local MP virtually forcing Arriva into action. Once Arriva did this, it was inevitable Stagecoach would have to follow suit on their turns sooner rather than later. The E300's in question are just a temporary stop gap before more appropriate low floor buses are sourced. It's also worth noting that GNE's 'fast' X85 runs on the opposite half hour to the 685 and is therefore just providing a greater frequency. The X84 runs 5 minutes before from both Hexham and Newcastle off peak but takes an hour so it's unlikely it'll tempt that many fare paying passengers from the much quicker 685.