(23 Dec 2020, 10:02 pm)James101 wrote Perhaps I hadn’t explained my point fully. Where the B9s were able vehicles they’re unremarkable buses
to the lay person.
6377 is very striking and inviting, much more so than anything in fleet livery or the Levantes. The B5s could have been but they messed that up with the foolish rear adverts of passengers standing. I agree the interdecks should self promote the route very well when they arrive.
They're just a bus to most car users who won't be appealed by one overtaking them. The X9/X10's biggest competition is the train and trains vs any conventional bus - only one will win as the worst train is better than the best conventional bus (Pacers are withdrawn now), not to mention if a train takes 90 minutes, it'll take 90 minutes whereas a bus has the same traffic problems you'd have if you drove. Train vs a coach on the otherhand the gap starts to narrow a bit if the fares etc are competitive.
The other expresses X21, X84/X85 etc are different as they serve more bus stops nearer people's homes unlike the X9/X10. The only routes which are comparable are the X15, X18, 685 and X93 which have all been coach operated at some point (and should be if they weren't so expensive to buy).
Some of Stagecoach's operations in Scotland (10 and X99 both from Inverness) give a good example on how to run them perfectly imo and the new coaches they're getting are heading in that direction.