RE: Arriva North East - Latest
I think they are trying to make a big thing about the Sapphire, using it as an example for the Department for Transport of how services can be improved. As this is the only service in the North East (for now) to have the improved Sapphire standard, they are trying to make it stand out. Another reason why they would probably want all of the buses there is because out of the 4 UK Sapphire routes, Darlington/Durham are the only depots to get brand new buses for the service.