(20 Jan 2017, 9:20 am)tyresmoke wrote MAX is more intended to upgrade interurban routes these days rather than express routes as such. The X46 isn't an express, stopping at all stops between Durham & Crook (/Stanhope). The growth figures being seen across the network on services already upgraded would lead me to think that this will become the minimum specification across most routes, barring those already branded in other brands such as Sapphire. There's limited scope to expand the Frequenta brand for example but there will be expansion of Sapphire this year I am sure.

Which begs the question about strategies that could be used to grow the business in the future.
I'm not against upgrades (they dont always excite me as they excite others), but if Max is going to essentially be a minimum spec - what other methods are there to excite and draw passengers in?
We already see the wifi, charging points, pleather seats and funky lighting, with tables and 2x 1 seating becoming a feature with some operators.