(14 May 2014, 7:59 pm)aureolin wrote Interesting read, but I think it highlights how far ahead of the game GNE are when it comes to the North East. Aside from having a premium brand livery, GNE have been doing this for years, ever since the introduction of the first batch of Mercs. Think the label was "Leave the car at home and take the Merc" or something? As well as providing an enhanced passenger experience - improved seating, info screens, a refreshing/modern vehicle, and previously unexperienced levels of comfort for a local bus service. They've obviously built on this since then, with the introduction of WiFi and Next Stop screens.
And the driver has their trusty Tait sitting there when they run late, have suspected a vehicle fault or breakdown. Arriva could easily implement radios on most of the Northumbria routes. The newer Tait radios also come with GSM allowing a loss of coverage in places such as Berwick to be kept to a minimum.