(19 Jul 2020, 7:27 pm)mb134 wrote But then you've just justified why Arriva can use 52/03 plates on MAX services, despite your taxi analogy.
MAX was never claimed to be luxury, instead it was to promote interurban services and happened to be specced with e-leather seating, WiFi (and power on later refurbs).
As a comparison - the Consett express services using the ex-dealer stock and ex-London B9TLs have more recent vehicles yet worse spec. I know I'd prefer more comfortable seating than a newer bus. Nobody is saying 52-plate B7s are the epitome of luxury buses, but to anyone other than an enthusiast they'll likely be happy with the interior spec and not give a toss about the age unless the reliability is poor.
This thread is now getting *very* off topic mind.
That's the point I was trying to make!
It's all about perception, like I say, if GNE are pushing the X-Lines brand as being 'premium' then you'd better bloody hope they have some fancy new buses on them. If you're waiting for the X21 expecting to get a bus with WiFi and USB, and an old, leaky OmniDekka turns up, you're not going to be happy!
Plus, X-Lines is basically Arriva's Sapphire but on their MAX routes, so to compare it directly to MAX is a bit cheeky IMO.