(18 May 2016, 6:14 pm)OW1762 wrote What makes a route suitable for Sapphire branding, i also thought that max routes where for long distance routes such as the x12, the branding at times really isn't easy to get your head around.

Typically, the Max routes are the X services, either involving a long non-stop stretch eg the A66 or places where they're limited stop. Some of the Sapphire services are very long - the 22 and 24 are both a 3 hour round trip Durham - Sunderland/Hartlepool - Durham (the drivers must need a bladder like a hot water bottle!) There are some exceptions, though - the X21/X22 Ashington-Newcastle services are Sapphire, for example.