(23 Apr 2014, 9:30 pm)G-CPTN wrote The SB3000s on the 685 route were notoriously 'unreliable' - at least by the time they were withdrawn.

Agreed they were comfortable, but, when they don't turn up on time (and sometimes not at all) the passengers complained.

At the time, Stagecoach were running 'buses' (rather than coaches) and they didn't suit the passengers either.

Now Arriva are running low-floor 'buses' but with leather seats - which doesn't suit the passengers (as the seats are slippery and there are no seatbelts - which the coaches had).

The SB3000s were very reliable on the 685. It was only in the last couple of months of their operation on the 685 that they became unreliable, but I would put my money on the fact that their withdrawal was already on the cards.
Stagecoach were running coaches (Volvo B10M Jonckheere) which were also very reliable.

It was with the introduction of Pulsars by Arriva that Stagecoach followed suit and introduced their cascaded Enviro 300s from Workington. Arriva then introduced OmniCities as they're more suitable for longer routes.

The leather seats are horrible, although I hear they'll be getting removed soon! I'm currently on board 4653, the replacement, with fabric seats and they are much more comfortable.

But honestly, bring back the coaches. Out of interest, where did the original batch of DAFs (1201 - 1205) go after their withdrawal?