(04 Jan 2016, 8:05 pm)Andreos1 wrote Any reason why the PVR is reducing?
Purely from my own observations, it is a corridor that seems to witness unspecified delays, but one that seems over bused too.

(04 Jan 2016, 7:53 pm)S813 FVK wrote TrentBarton's indigo service is due to go under refurbishment from 31st January (according to Matt Burley). This will also see the frequency of the service drop from every 6-7 minutes to every 10 minutes between Nottingham and Long Eaton. This should, obviously reduce the PVR from 22 vehicles.

(20 Jan 2016, 8:58 pm)S813 FVK wrote Mercedes Citaro K BV14 TZY is currently on loan to Kinchbus. It is seen here while operating the Skylink Derby service:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/mattburley0/24423934391/

This is due to the Citaros currently on that service undergoing modifications currently unknown to myself.

(03 Feb 2016, 3:55 pm)Htyresmoke wrote The new Skylink Express route started on Sunday - it runs every 30 minutes between Nottingham & East Midlands Airport using three former Red Arrow Scania Irizar i4's to provide a quicker journey time between the city & airport compared to the "standard" Skylink service which takes around an hour.

There's a great article on Phil Stockley's blog - he's Group Development Director at Wellglade - which explains how the Skylink network has evolved and how they came up with this new service... http://philstockley.blogspot.co.uk/2016/01/skylink-flying-high.html


Trent Barton - Skylink Xprss - 76 by Daniel Mullins, on Flickr

Changes to the Derbyshire Wayfarer scheme

From 4 April 2016, High Peak Buses will no longer accept Derbyshire Wayfarer tickets on their Services 61 (except on Sundays), 69/69A, 185/186, 199 and TP 'Transpeak' (except on Sundays). It will still be accepted and sold on their other services. For more information about this change, please contact High Peak Buses.

(06 Jan 2016, 2:01 pm)S813 FVK wrote https://www.trentbarton.co.uk/indigoinstyle

(30 Mar 2016, 8:56 pm)S813 FVK wrote The first vehicle to be refurbished, 708, is nearly ready to re-enter service:
https://www.facebook.com/trentbartonlive/photos/pcb.1099820793372673/1099815310039888/?type=3&theater

One key change is the seats going from leather to the standard fabric which wasn't welcomed by customers. 

Some people are still complaining about why indigo is getting a refurbishment and their service isn't but put it this way: At least it isn't just our indiGo that people are complaining about 

(05 Apr 2016, 7:02 pm)S813 FVK wrote 708 (FJ58 KJZ) re-entered service following refurbishment today. It was joined by 703 (FJ58 KJO) later in the day. 

As can be seen, they have also gained White destinations on both the front, side and rear.

(05 Apr 2016, 7:14 pm)Dan wrote The old brand was extremely dull, in my opinion. The destination displays in the buses previously didn't make them look any more modern, either.

I don't think the new brand is particularly eye-catching, but it's a modern spruce-up which works quite well. I do like that white destination displays have been included within their refurbishment. As ever, they've nailed the internal cove panel branding.

(05 Apr 2016, 7:23 pm)Michael wrote Don't want people to think i'm against the GNE version but the Trent Barton version is more eye catching than the GNE version...

The branding inside is quite good... GNE should start doing it again...

(05 Apr 2016, 7:23 pm)Michael wrote Don't want people to think i'm against the GNE version but the Trent Barton version is more eye catching than the GNE version...

The branding inside is quite good... GNE should start doing it again...

(05 Apr 2016, 7:36 pm)Adrian wrote The problem with internal branding, is exactly what do you put on it? What used to be fitted, was on the most part just a load of waffle, in all honesty. In my opinion it served no real purpose, and in some cases is as much as useless. What benefit is it on a Gemini 2 for example? The roof lining that it's applied to is almost horizontal, so you're almost having to put your neck out to read it.

I am a fan of what Arriva have done with their Sapphire and Frequenta services. Not in terms of the waffle, but more so the images of landmarks that they've applied on interior walls. 

I do think that if internal branding is seen as a must have, it should simply be limited to a brand logo with associated artwork, and the route map.

(05 Apr 2016, 7:41 pm)Andreos1 wrote I was just about to mention Sapphire.
I think it is smart and informative, without being tacky nor over the top.
It also opens up the company by giving out the a handful of contact methods.

Eldest Constantopolous used to like getting the 71 and reading the lyrics - if we got in to the right seat...

(05 Apr 2016, 7:28 pm)Dan wrote You had to bring Go North East into it! ;-)

I don't believe for one minute that it's more eye-catching. The indigo base livery isn't half as striking as the pink base livery on their North East counterparts.

I do think that Trent Barton's version looks more modern and is a bit smarter, though.

Members of the marketing department in both companies may share ideas and hold similar views on route branding, but they also have very different ideas which is reflected by the varying briefs the designers have been issued when coming up with the liveries. Nothing irritates me more than these silly comments about Operator A copying Operator B, when it's just a case of an idea that's been shared by the two parties in question.

(05 Apr 2016, 7:43 pm)Adrian wrote See, I think it's one of the better examples, but still quite a bit of waffle.

Of course the other problem that you have to contend with, is whether there is a mechanism in place to ensure interior branding is kept up to date. The X12 stopping places were changed over 6 months ago now, and the interior branding is still showing 'Plawsworth' as a stopping point. Despite the bus no longer stopping there.

(05 Apr 2016, 7:48 pm)Michael wrote This is the first time I've mentioned about the Indigo brand and Trent Barton's version the forum...and i never said they copied it, yes of course they can use each others ideas but i was just comparing both and which one looks better from my point of view....

(05 Apr 2016, 7:02 pm)S813 FVK wrote 708 (FJ58 KJZ) re-entered service following refurbishment today. It was joined by 703 (FJ58 KJO) later in the day. 

As can be seen, they have also gained White destinations on both the front, side and rear.

(18 Jul 2016, 9:19 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Trent Barton have placed an order for brand new Alexander Dennis Enviro200MMCs - 8 of the 11.8m examples and 14 10.8m ones. They are for the 'Mickleover' and 'The Nines' replacing Volvo B7RLEs and Optare Solos respectively.

http://westbridgfordwire.com/trent-barton-invests-3-5m-new-british-buses/