(20 Apr 2021, 7:12 pm)Storx wrote I know this isn't a GNE thread but since you've mentioned them. GNE have literally just put 11 year old Citaro's which aren't in any form of X-Lines interior on the X20. Just saying. Not sure having a different logo on a seat head rest will make much difference tbh. There's plenty buses needing a refurbishment but 7401-7406 isn't one of them imo and spec wise they've got everything for Sapphire. The Pulsars still running around in the old Arriva livery and interior especially the 09 plates - some constantly on MAX/Sapphire routes are much more urgent imo.

Go North East has never created an 'X-lines interior' - so why don't the 11-year old Citaros you refer to fit the bill? All Go North East has said about the specification of X-lines is that buses would be fitted with high-back seats, Wi-Fi, USB charging points and next stop announcements, which the Citaros are.

Clearly a specification has been devised on newer buses and where dedicated refurbishments have taken place (Civic V3 seats with cream headrests, or ADL Smart Seats where they can be fitted), but it has never been explicitly stated that they would be a certain colour or type otherwise.

Absolutely no bias at all here, but if you've ever travelled on the Volvo B9s on service X93, you'll know those seats are absolutely atrocious for a long-distance journey. This would have been an ideal opportunity to replace the seats with something more appropriate (even a direct swap between the older MAX-specification Volvo B7s at Durham, where shorter distance journeys are made) and comfortable for its passengers. It is frankly bizarre that they'd replace the MAX logo with a Sapphire one, especially the now-defunct logo, at that.