(29 Jan 2016, 10:29 pm)R852 PRG wrote I think the reasoning behind the brand name is that the service is supposedly a ''fast'' way of getting into Sunderland, which is synonymous with the ''Black Cats'' Sunderland AFC, hence the ''cats'' and black livery.
I'd say that was a bit speculative. I can't recall any links to Sunderland AFC when the brand was promoted, so it could mean absolutely anything. There's certainly nothing fast about Sunderland AFC, and nor did it provide any links when first launched.
Cue someone digging out timetable literature from 2009... :s