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+--- Thread: Go North East - Recent Repaints (/showthread.php?tid=2556)
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Adtrainsam - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 10:35 am)Dan ...which is largely what the strategy is, but sadly the perception seems to be that it's either black or white and no in between!It's about how obvious this strategy is, yes us enthusiast may notice it's all meant to be colour coded but the average person won't. Looking at Sunderland, many of the services are already red, but the buses that stand out are the different coloured ones; the Purple, Orange & Blue ones. I've seen plenty a time when people refer to the 20 as "the purple bus". Are you going to slap a bit of red at the back of some of those? I'd hope not. The colour combination would be horrible.
There may be a subtle nod to one of the colours on cross-boundary services; such as how Cityrider and Crusader includes red at the rear, Cobalt & Coast includes blue at the rear, and Connections4 includes pink at the front, but it's not the be all and end all, 'farce' and 'flawed strategy' that it's being made out to be, due to a very small reference included within an internal team briefing.
This is also completely different to the corporate identity that was talked about for a long time with the Roadstripes making it clear what a GNE bus was - yet the Q3 has received a special swoop even though it's just an ordinary bus route with ordinary buses that coincidentally go to a new housing area (despite how much you try to make it special). It just doesn't look like a GNE bus unless they spot the little GNE logo on the side. X lines is fine, you've still got the roadstripes (just in the opposite direction) and VOLTRA I can make an exception as a "special electric bus".
EDIT: I've just seen Andreos1's post, which is very similar to what I've said!"
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Drifter60 - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 10:35 am)Dan ...which is largely what the strategy is, but sadly the perception seems to be that it's either black or white and no in between!
There may be a subtle nod to one of the colours on cross-boundary services; such as how Cityrider and Crusader includes red at the rear, Cobalt & Coast includes blue at the rear, and Connections4 includes pink at the front, but it's not the be all and end all, 'farce' and 'flawed strategy' that it's being made out to be, due to a very small reference included within an internal team briefing.
But having a local livery/core colour scheme for the minibus routes isn’t anything new, certainly much longer than the two years mentioned. East Durham/North Tyne Links/Venture did that going back (approx) ten years ago. No criticism from me on that policy. But it’s impossible to do it any further that that, realistically, that’s the point. How on earth you try to tie that in with every other bus in a town/area is flawed.
Connections 4 going blue/pink might having very subtle references in very limited sections to the soon to be Little Pinks 84 route (Concord Bus Station & Lingey Lane being the only two common sections) but that’s it. I’m not sure anyone in Washington is going to think the Connection 4 having a bit of pink means it’s anymore a Go North East bus than the currently red Black Cats 2/2A buses or the gold/red X-lines X1.
Also ‘Little Pinks’. As someone who isn’t massively fan of ‘Little Coasters’ as a concept you can guess my opinion on that one. One question where is the Big Pink? ‘Little Coasters’ works (although personally not a fan of that naming strategy) because of the ‘main’ or ‘Big’ Coaster 1 service which goes further afield. There is no big pink in Washington. And if Connections 4 is meant to do that, well it’s not even prominently pink? The new livery looks 70% blue. And also doesn’t reference ‘pink’ in its brand name. It’s almost as if indiGo had to go at all costs, for whatever reason, and no one had any other ideas. *EDIT: I’ve got mixed up with the buses! All this talk of colours
But if we’re taking it too literally, and routes such as Prince Bishops, Coast & Country, Drifter won’t necessarily have a forced colour change, then I don’t know how else to take it, that’s in any way different to how branding worked previously?
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Rob44 - 25 Jan 2021
What happened to sticking a bus number and destination on the front, sides and back of the bus? All this orange for this green for that. Get them all back in corporate colours and running a decent service. You cant tell me people have dumped there car cos the 56 six became fab and looked like a bigger version of a ford focus st? or that the purple prince bishops got people onto the buses in Durham??/ and i dread to think of the cost of painting re painting this costs. Put them all in red and bulk buy the paint!
and just to add there is nothing worse than seeing a green angle bus coming towards you only for wen it gets closer the DESTINATION screen say hexham and its the 10! well except a NIS sign just so the buses can catch up but sod those waiting in the rain.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Dan - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 2:29 pm)Drifter60 Also ‘Little Pinks’. As someone who isn’t massively fan of ‘Little Coasters’ as a concept you can guess my opinion on that one. One question where is the Big Pink? ‘Little Coasters’ works (although personally not a fan of that naming strategy) because of the ‘main’ or ‘Big’ Coaster 1 service which goes further afield. There is no big pink in Washington. And if Connections 4 is meant to do that, well it’s not even prominently pink? The new livery looks 70% blue. And also doesn’t reference ‘pink’ in its brand name. It’s almost as if indiGo had to go at all costs, for whatever reason, and no one had any other ideas.
70% blue? More like 70% pink! (..which, might I add, has just been the subject of criticism, as the pink colour for Washington is on the front instead of the back?!?!)
Dear me.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - JP6004 - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 3:15 pm)Dan 70% blue? More like 70% pink! (..which, might I add, has just been the subject of criticism, as the pink colour for Washington is on the front instead of the back?!?!)Some people are never happy...hopefully Prince Bishop wont change too much when the time comes. Always been one of the best
Dear me.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - LVK 404L - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 3:15 pm)Dan 70% blue? More like 70% pink! (..which, might I add, has just been the subject of criticism, as the pink colour for Washington is on the front instead of the back?!?!)Dan.
Dear me.
Just a quick question. Not complaining about the colours or livery however how will this work when depots operate services outside of their areas . I'm thinking the 5/50 operated by Washington which is pink but the 5 solely operates in South Tyneside which is red. Or because this interworks with the 50 which operates into Washington is this then deemed as acceptable?.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Dan - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 3:50 pm)ifm001 Dan.
Just a quick question. Not complaining about the colours or livery however how will this work when depots operate services outside of their areas . I'm thinking the 5/50 operated by Washington which is pink but the 5 solely operates in South Tyneside which is red. Or because this interworks with the 50 which operates into Washington is this then deemed as acceptable?.
The 5 and 50 aren't branded services, and no immediate plans for them to be re-branded. As I say, this isn't a new strategy, and the Scania OmniCitys on this service lost their dedicated route branding in favour of fleet livery in the two years of this strategy being in place.
As I said before, it was a bit of an off-the-cuff remark in an internal team briefing, so staff were aware of one of the reasons behind buses being repainted and refurbished. Clearly it was always going to 'get out' into enthusiast circles (even more so after Martijn posted a screenshot of the memo on social media), but I don't think the comment was ever meant to be taken quite so literally, and dissected and analysed to the extent it has been.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Andreos1 - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 3:50 pm)ifm001 Dan.
Just a quick question. Not complaining about the colours or livery however how will this work when depots operate services outside of their areas . I'm thinking the 5/50 operated by Washington which is pink but the 5 solely operates in South Tyneside which is red. Or because this interworks with the 50 which operates into Washington is this then deemed as acceptable?.
This is where I was accused of thinking too literally.
Or, (as I think) you've raised a valid question which shows just one of the many flaws in the strategy.
Maybe they're gonna paint it rainbow colour as it obviously goes in to Chester too and continues in to Durham.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Rapidsnap - 25 Jan 2021
Regarding Ray Stenning, I've seen him at Showbus a few years ago and I still have nightmares. He dresses like his bus liveries and was going around showbus with shorts that looked more like Y Fronts.
Also I remember when he was tasked to rebrand Oxford Bus Company, he instructed them that theyshould paint the corridors in the offices of the new depot under construction at the time bright orange.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - JP6004 - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 6:10 pm)Rapidsnap Regarding Ray Stenning, I've seen him at Showbus a few years ago and I still have nightmares. He dresses like his bus liveries and was going around showbus with shorts that looked more like Y Fronts.Why should you concern yourself with how people dress? It's no ines business but their own!
Also I remember when he was tasked to rebrand Oxford Bus Company, he instructed them that theyshould paint the corridors in the offices of the new depot under construction at the time bright orange.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Drifter60 - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 3:15 pm)Dan 70% blue? More like 70% pink! (..which, might I add, has just been the subject of criticism, as the pink colour for Washington is on the front instead of the back?!?!)
Dear me.
My apologies Dan, colours round the wrong way, you got me!
Interesting you didn’t reply to any of the other points raised ?
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Rapidsnap - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 7:40 pm)JP6004 Why should you concern yourself with how people dress? It's no ines business but their own!
Well it's also no concern of yours on how I form opinions of someone.
I'm sure he's a nice person to chat to even though he's rehashing old ideas to sell to other bus companies. I bet in a few years there be something similar to X Lines appearing elsewhere.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - JP6004 - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 8:53 pm)Rapidsnap Well it's also no concern of yours on how I form opinions of someone.Well actually, judging someone by the way they look would be classed as bullying. I make it my business to stand up for anyone who is bullied and cannot defend themselves.
I'm sure he's a nice person to chat to even though he's rehashing old ideas to sell to other bus companies. I bet in a few years there be something similar to X Lines appearing elsewhere.
I'm sure you wouldnt like it if someone made derogatory comments about the way you are
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Rapidsnap - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 9:14 pm)JP6004 Well actually, judging someone by the way they look would be classed as bullying. I make it my business to stand up for anyone who is bullied and cannot defend themselves.
I'm sure you wouldnt like it if someone made derogatory comments about the way you are
Huh, the amount of abuse I've had over the years, it's nowt new. Abuse from customers, former friends, strangers, randoms etc. I don't give a flying feather anymore. I know people talk behind my back, no doubt people be having a good laugh at this little tirade, but let them get on with it. I just don't care, they don't know me.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - JP6004 - 25 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 9:38 pm)Rapidsnap Huh, the amount of abuse I've had over the years, it's nowt new. Abuse from customers, former friends, strangers, randoms etc. I don't give a flying feather anymore. I know people talk behind my back, no doubt people be having a good laugh at this little tirade, but let them get on with it. I just don't care, they don't know me.Just because you have been subject to it, does not give you the right to do the same to others
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Rapidsnap - 26 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 10:05 pm)JP6004 Just because you have been subject to it, does not give you the right to do the same to others
I don't know who you think you are, but I don't give a damn about your sodding opinion or even going to listen to you. I'm going to do what I do to the vast majority of enthusiasts in this area and just ignore you like the rest of them. I live my life how I want to, no one is tells me how I should live it. I'm saying no more on this matter as you're boring me now.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - JP6004 - 26 Jan 2021
(26 Jan 2021, 12:43 am)Rapidsnap I don't know who you think you are, but I don't give a damn about your sodding opinion or even going to listen to you. I'm going to do what I do to the vast majority of enthusiasts in this area and just ignore you like the rest of them. I live my life how I want to, no one is tells me how I should live it. I'm saying no more on this matter as you're boring me now.Then I suggest, if you cant treat people with respect, then dont say anything at all
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Dan - 26 Jan 2021
(25 Jan 2021, 7:50 pm)Drifter60 My apologies Dan, colours round the wrong way, you got me!
Interesting you didn’t reply to any of the other points raised ?
I had nothing to respond to any of the other points that you raised. The section of your response that I quoted inferred further reasoning for your opinion that this branding strategy is flawed (in that there is no 'big pink' bus in Washington, because the one that is big and pink, is only 30% pink). Your reasoning was actually flawed itself.
Whilst I still maintain that the original comment has been taken too literally, some of the points Andreos1 in particular has raised are interesting, and are less subjective. Though I haven't responded to them either, on the basis that I had nothing further to contribute to the debate (and gone are the days where we'd have hours upon hours of differing opinions with no 'proper' debate), it would be interesting to see whether he'd be willing to anonymously ask some of these questions to Martijn as part of Go North East's live Q&A session planned for Global Community Engagement Day:
https://newsroom.gonortheast.co.uk/news/live-q-and-a-with-our-managing-director-on-global-community-engagement-day-thursday-28-january-419678
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Andreos1 - 26 Jan 2021
(26 Jan 2021, 10:02 am)Dan I had nothing to respond to any of the other points that you raised. The section of your response that I quoted inferred further reasoning for your opinion that this branding strategy is flawed (in that there is no 'big pink' bus in Washington, because the one that is big and pink, is only 30% pink). Your reasoning was actually flawed itself.
Whilst I still maintain that the original comment has been taken too literally, some of the points Andreos1 in particular has raised are interesting, and are less subjective. Though I haven't responded to them either, on the basis that I had nothing further to contribute to the debate (and gone are the days where we'd have hours upon hours of differing opinions with no 'proper' debate), it would be interesting to see whether he'd be willing to anonymously ask some of these questions to Martijn as part of Go North East's live Q&A session planned for Global Community Engagement Day:
https://newsroom.gonortheast.co.uk/news/live-q-and-a-with-our-managing-director-on-global-community-engagement-day-thursday-28-january-419678
I may do.
But knowing that points are read and some discussed internally is enough for me.
I don't really have the desire to ask the same question or raise the same points in more than one setting at this stage.
Someone mentioned that my name was mentioned (on one of the live events that you and MG did) in relation to the retro liveries for the Levante's and I'd not submitted a question then either. So maybe this issue will get a mention anyway.
In summary: There is a strategy which is apparently two years old and involves painting some vehicles in a colour scheme which aligns to a specific area. Some vehicles are painted entirely in that colour, some have a nod to it in their rear and some at the front.
Some don't have any links to the area and will maintain the corporate identity.
Some will have separate branded liveries.
Some will have the express livery and in the main, it won't tie in with the colour scheme of the area.
Then there's the 'special' liveries as seen on the likes of the 53/54 or Q3.
There's perfectly usable tables being replaced.
Best practice is being ignored on blind displays.
My thoughts are that the focus should be on improving the network and the routes on offer, improving links to key destinations and seeing natural growth - rather than spending time, effort and whatever else on painting schemes, table replacement projects, seeking out likes on social media and hunting for a load of back-patting from colleagues with other operators.
A scheme to roll-out links to local areas (could) tie in with the zonal system and to be fully effective, needs to be embedded across the whole fleet. Not just a couple of vehicles from each depot.
Ownership and responsibility seems to be taken with regard to all of the titavating which goes on, but I'm yet to see any actual ownership taken with regard to network and route improvements. I just see finger pointing alongside accusing looks and comments directed in the way of LA's.
I would have thought that all of these online engagement events (which I'm a fan of in principle) would have seen similar sorts of feedback. Unless it's the 'wrong type' of audience and those points aren't being raised.
RE: Go North East - Recent Repaints - Drifter60 - 26 Jan 2021
(26 Jan 2021, 10:02 am)Dan I had nothing to respond to any of the other points that you raised. The section of your response that I quoted inferred further reasoning for your opinion that this branding strategy is flawed (in that there is no 'big pink' bus in Washington, because the one that is big and pink, is only 30% pink). Your reasoning was actually flawed itself.
Whilst I still maintain that the original comment has been taken too literally, some of the points Andreos1 in particular has raised are interesting, and are less subjective. Though I haven't responded to them either, on the basis that I had nothing further to contribute to the debate (and gone are the days where we'd have hours upon hours of differing opinions with no 'proper' debate), it would be interesting to see whether he'd be willing to anonymously ask some of these questions to Martijn as part of Go North East's live Q&A session planned for Global Community Engagement Day:
https://newsroom.gonortheast.co.uk/news/live-q-and-a-with-our-managing-director-on-global-community-engagement-day-thursday-28-january-419678
Well then I think you’ve missed the overall point, taken one mistake on my part to discount the rest of the argument being made. Connections 4 being painted 70% pink doesn’t fix this ‘strategy’.
Remove the colour of the bus for the second. Little Coaster works because they are a collection of shorter bus services which serve predominantly North Tyneside, the name a clear reference to a bus actually called the “Coaster” which goes further afield to Newcastle City Centre and the MetroCentre. The fact of the matter is there’ll be no route called the “Pink”, despite the fact the company plans on slapping some pink paint on the front of the Connections 4 service, to make it majority pink. So the “Little Pinks” brands doesn’t make sense, yes there’s another pink bus that serves some part of the town but there’s no brand synergy between the two names. Taking the North Tyneside example; Washington’s minibus network should be “Little Connections”. Bring the colour back in, the North Tyneside examples could have been called “Little Blues” then?