(22 Sep 2022, 5:12 pm)Jimmi wrote I've always thought of CITYZAP as more of a vanity project to Hornby than anything else, I feel some other companies would've binned off it ages ago and not bought specifically high spec new buses for it. I do wonder if ZAP would've continued for much longer had the opportunity to take over operation of the X98/X99 not come up especially as they can directly redeploy all the buses from ZAP onto it.
I still feel bus companies are relying too heavily on route branding, fancy timetable leaflets and gimmicks to try and and gain/retain passengers which do work to a point but it can only go so far and I see argubly little benefit to forking out for all these things like outside design agencies to design liveries and feel the money could be better utilised elsewhere.
I think he turned it into a vanity project, like he does with most things, but it doesn't need to be anything more complicated than a basic York to Leeds express service - a low cost alternative to the train. I really struggle at how they've managed to get this one wrong.