(28 May 2017, 10:45 pm)omnicity4659 wrote The 306/308 retained their 3xx so they remain easily identifiable as the coastal routes, and not the limited stop X routes. The 306/308 were MAXed to standardise the Blyth to Newcastle corridor.

I think these are the two main reasons why they got MAXed:

* Competition
* More flexibility within Blyth Depot including allowing the B5LHs to be used on other service including on evenings and Sundays.

The only problem I see with it is where would the 306/308 fall under the new scheme? Arriva Premium wouldn't really cover them (unless they got upgraded with new buses or NSAs fitted) and Arriva Express would defeat the whole purpose of 'Express'.