(26 Jun 2020, 9:29 am)Dan wrote Not sure it’s fair to accuse Go North East of that though, when they were one of the first bus companies to adopt a “pride bus” (in the form of Quaylink Versa 8335) and later adopted another one too so both cities had one (Mercedes Citaro 5292).
They appear every year at both Sunderland and Newcastle pride events, provide sponsorship, and even have a partnership with the Pride FM radio station. Their efforts wouldn’t go as far as that, if it was just political or for ‘fluffy marketing’.
This bus is multi-purpose, yes, in that it’s a nod back to the original bus back in the 80s, but I don’t think that’s a bad thing.
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(26 Jun 2020, 9:54 am)James101 wrote Can't agree here. I think 6050 is clever on many levels as it references many currently relevant causes without overtly being dedicated to any one of them.
Dan referenced the official campaign 6050 is representing is internal colleague initiative 'One Team GNE'. It's poignant that the rainbow livery ties in with the symbol of gratitude for key workers during a national emergency AND support for the LBGTQ+ community, particularly relevant in the month of June. The wording on the livery commits to neither or could be interpreted to support both causes.
In reference to the Forbes article linked to, it's a bit of a paradox for some members of the LGBTQ+ community to be promoting their rainbow symbol to by one of diversity and inclusiveness whilst simultaneously demanding it's specifically theirs and cannot be shared. If we're going to start arguing the toss over how different types of rainbow have different meanings then it's worth remembering 6050's livery is a recreation of one 35 years ago so are we saying those seven colours applied in diagonal fashion specifically represent support for the deregulation of bus services in the 80s? No, because that's ridiculous.
It's a sensitive issue and I think GNE have thought through 6050's representation very well.
I'll reply to these together as it's a similar response. It's more about timing here that could cause offence, it's been a problem with a lot of companies who have blatently designed stuff for pride and then just diverted it last second to mean something else totally. Morrisons is a prime example of this, they uploaded a rainbow flag for their logo on the 1st June and suddenly 5 days later it's for key workers... strange co-incidence. No doubt next year they'll be back on the bandwagon though and it's boring. If this was released in August then it wouldn't have a problem, I don't mind the NHS using the rainbow flag etc as it's not my thing to critise that and it wasn't June, it's just the fact it was released in the middle of June. Whether this actually was originally for pride or not I'll never know though I guess but it's the above example why I've said it and there's been a few who have just forgot about it altogether, PaddyPower for example.
I genuinely didn't realise you sponsored stuff though, you should promote it more tbh - then it get's you out of the likes of companies above and you actually earn respect for supporting Pride rather than being a marketing gimmick.
(26 Jun 2020, 10:00 am)V514DFT wrote I dont get how a livery can cause such offence,its ridiculous tbh,atleast GNE give some variety in regards to liverys rather than it just be corporate boringness
Rainbow things are about as corporate you can get in the majority of cases. (this isn't aimed at GNE as it's not them). Lot's of companies think by painting something rainbow and calling it something pride related they're fully diverse etc but it's just totally a gimmick for marketing and policitical reasons and it's boring as hell. The fact some have diverted it and ignored the reason why they've done it this year just sums them up.