(15 Nov 2020, 10:22 pm)mb134 wrote That isn't really the point I was trying to make. I think MAX as a brand was fine, but now standard spec has caught up to that and honestly I think it's about enough for most people (NSAs, USB charging, WiFI).
The point I was making is more that they still aren't getting that presentation and maintenance standards matter. It doesn't need to be something similar to GNE, I think Stagecoach and First (generally, there are a few exceptions) have good approaches - to be honest so do Arriva, its just the NE that don't seem to know what a repaint is.
They also need to get out of the mindset that anything can run on any route forever. As an example, they were spoilt somewhat by the M-FTY Olympians on the Alnwick routes, 7374/5 were performing on those until pretty much the end (and even for the last bit they were on the X20/1/2). E400s just aren't going to do that to the same level, though it must be said that Ashington have done well with their lot to keep them going for as long as they have. E400s are solid, and their longevity if looked after has been better than most predicted, but they simply don't have the guts to do 15 years on high mileage express work. Then you have the B7s, again I think they've aged well and have exceeded expectations (they had a hard job replacing the Olympian), but they also aren't really designed for the sort of stuff Arriva are asking for them when they are approaching end of life. Then you look at a 4 cylinder Streetdeck (if they ever went that route) which would be crippled after a few years on express work - we saw what happened to the on paper more robust B5s on the TTX.
It doesn't need to be drastic wholesale changes, it just needs to be a change of approach. It's simple things: repaints every few years, vehicles moved away from overly demanding work before they start to become problematic, putting customer experience first. I've said before that I think they do some things well, such as high quality refurbs (those 2001/2 B7s still feel fresh inside, which is astounding for near enough 20 years old bearing in mind where they've been used) and service levels on routes where other companies in similar situations may cut frequencies etc.
I think the most frustrating thing was that in 2014(ish) they were probably the best NE operator in terms of fleet presentation, getting vehicles suitable to the routes (B9s for the X93) and overall approach. It started to slip from about 2016/7 then with the introduction of the new set of liveries it just seemed that management at all levels lost any interest.
Jesmond has always been quite poor though even back in 2014 it's always the depot which seems to show the most lack of care especially when it comes to branding.
Tbf thought we've been here all before it's like a never ending cycle with Arriva as it was a very similar picture back in 2008. Europeans doing the X1(X12), the Cityzens at Blyth doing the express work, the Prismas working to Whitby, the Primas on the Express work when they were finished.
That said though I do agree with what you said but I can't see much investment til 2024 personally maybe bar a few buses to top things through next like Operation Overdrive back in 2005 which (if they had sense) should be the 685, X26/27, X66 and the Alnwick expresses other than that I think the DW Geminis in London will be all we'll be getting for awhile they're more than adequate for the 35, Jesmond locals and the Blyth spares etc. Some of their other fleets are in a pretty similar state Merseyside in particular, I know they've done more of the new livery but they have a by far more share of the 1999 livery still around and very aging fleet.
I know you mentioned Stagecoach there but they're not in a much stronger position that Arriva really especially up here. The ALX300's, Darts and they've just cancelled the whole of the next years order so god knows how they're planning to get arid of them and they're worse than the Omnicities at Arriva.
Mind I wouldn't be complimentry about First they're in big trouble, got no money and they've got fleets all over the place which are finished. They're heading one direction and have been for awhile imo how long it takes I'm not sure.