(03 Sep 2022, 8:56 pm)Adrian wrote Tried out the new E12s today. Really good quality bus and I'd say a massive improvement on any other modern bus (maybe minus the GNE Spec E400MMC) I've travelled on recently. The improvement on seating from the E10s is a good move. The huge next stop screens look great too.

There's really nothing negative, but from a talking point, I noticed there is that there's a couple of bell-press buttons placed in a precarious position. On the back of the seats in front of the first step up, and I can see quite a few accidental knee-presses of those, which will sharp wind drivers up!

The only other thing was the USB charging points, and that we're still lacking USB-C charging. Given that the EU (I know, we're not in it!, but we'll get this by default) are moving towards USB-C being standard by 2024, it's surprising that the manufacturer hasn't had the foresight to offer them in these buses.

Both the Wallsend section and Gosforth section I travelled on seemed to be well-used into Newcastle. The Gosforth to Newcastle journey being full, despite two Arrivas and a Stagecoach being in front of it and not a notable football fan in sight.

How are the seats cushion wise? I've made my opinions clear on here before about the E400 seats, I find them to have too much cushion, with too little support. Now granted passengers aren't expected to sit there for an hour like they are on the E400s (I find the seats tolerable for short journeys).

As for the Type C charging, I think they're better off prioritising chargers that actually charge over a different plug standard. They seem to have such little current to each charger that they barely charge a phone, even the ones on the new StreetDecks and E400s. I'm not saying they need 100W USB-PD chargers to every seat (although that would be handy!), it would be nice to have a little bit more umph to them so it doesn't just maintain the level of battery.