(27 Apr 2021, 10:41 pm)Storx wrote I think you misread his point tbf. I kind of get what he's saying. For example if your a customer in Sunderland who's never used a bus for awhile but used to use the 35 occasionally and started to hate it for whatever reason. Pop comes on your Facebook page brand new buses, tables, fancy lights, comfy seats with red leather etc I'll try that they look really good. Pop he goes to catch the 35 to try the 'new' X20. Gets on... Your going to be a bit disappointed to find out it's the same bus you just used on the 35 with a fancy paint work. Even worse if you get off the Black Cat services and realise it's an 'old bus'. Similar could be said for the X21 aswell tbh. Others routes can get away with it though as they replaced older buses / capacity upgrades.
It's a fair point tbh when talking about new customers really.
I get where you're coming from in a way, but the fact is that X-Lines isn't solely about having fancy new shiney buses. Yes, they've all be upgraded to the spec, however the main point is that it's a route you'd likely take in your car. To take your X20 example, the route that service takes is the route you'd take in the car. A690 direct from Sunderland to Houghton. Now if you're making that journey (I don't know the journey times exactly) that's the quickest way you'll do it. If you took the 35, you're adding I'd guess at least 10-15mins onto the same journey.
To me, unless you have particular reason why you can't use or don't want to use the vehicle allocated, then the bonus is simply that it looks better and has some home comforts to make your journey more comfortable and allow you to charge your phone and use the WiFi.
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