(23 Jul 2020, 10:38 pm)Jimmi wrote Likely done as they were not far off Sapphire spec to begin with, had Sapphire seats minus logos and WiFi, has wood effect flooring though. No clue what they'll be used on, rumours that the E200 MMCs are coming to the North East but Wakefield depot is also rumoured now too so who knows really.

It just seems like confirmation that Sapphire is now just a spec checklist for vehicles, with nothing behind it. When Sapphire was first launched, it was a fully implemented concept - livery & mod cons bus also uniforms, marketing and detail cleaning. Also back then the seating, WiFi & USBs genuinely make Sapphire stand out, like the Darlington 7. Now those features are widely standard, the Sapphire spec should have moved with the times. 2020 Sapphire could have been maybe skylights, at leat phone cradle, push stop & light, tables, wireless charging?

I’d say the only Arriva route I can think of that still carries the ‘spirit’ of Sapphire is the 1 between Chester and Wrexham.