(24 Jan 2021, 5:14 pm)Dan wrote I can't help but feel this is a total over-reaction? I'm shocked: I really don't understand why everything has to be taken so literally.
South Tyneside and Sunderland are deemed to be red, what colour is on the back of the Crusader? Red! Repaints have been aligned to this strategy for the past two years (this isn't a new thing!)
Clearly a route contained entirely within one area will be that colour predominantly, but this doesn't work for every service as there are many which cross between several different coloured zones.
If it's not a new thing, why hasn't anyone noticed it before? Too subtle perhaps? Or just flawed?
Why the random mixture of colours that don't correlate to any of the strategy at all and an apparent inconsistency across the fleet?
The 26/27 branded Geminis are red at the back - so that apparently allows them to qualify for the strategy for the red area (wherever the red area is), yet the 4 branded Mercs are pink at the front - allowing them to qualify for the strategy. But not the back, cos that's blue and despite the back end of some buses being included in some areas - with other parts of the fleet, its the front end.
Some strategy!
As I've said before, I'd rather (and I'm sure many other passengers across the region would too) to have a network of services that works for me. That takes me to where I need to be, without the need to faff on changing buses and hoping there's some sort of connection within a relatively short period of time.
I'd rather that, than see the operator prioritising repaints and faffing on with the blind displays - swapping formats and ignoring best practice.
A network that works for passengers may get more likes on social media too and not just likes from enthusiasts or even colleagues in other parts of the country - intent on carrying on the apparent industry habit of slapping each other on the back at any given opportunity.
I'm sorry if honest and constructive feedback from a customer perspective shocks.