hexagon789
Veteran Member
The franchise bid requirements mentioned the perceived better environment of the (then VTEC) HSTs among travellers and thus stated a desire for a more 'InterCity' travel environment.I still find it ridiculous that it was ever considered in the first place to have an HST fleet. Yes, the slightly higher linespeed and faster acceleration is there, and they might be nicer inside, but were the 170s really worse for Scotland's internal routes?
Abellio offered refurbished HSTs. First offered refurbished 170s, including potential rejigging of interiors to offer more First Class and possibly a micro-buffet (not sure on the latter) and making these sets up to 4-car by removing intermediate cars from the suburban sets.