Whilst we’re on the progression of comfort in recent years in surprised no-ones brought up the ex-London Olympians Arriva had for a bit (photo from gjm):
https://www.flickr.com/photos/gjm-photog...5749344583
The rear seat being an anti-vandal spec solid plastic type as found in your local 1990s playpark. Rode one on the 22 a few times and Silent Bank took about a fortnight. Also freezing and sloshing rainwater on the floor. Maybe present-day Arriva aren’t so bad.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints