(29 Jan 2021, 9:19 am)Michael wrote I very much doubt non enthusiasts will care, people just want to get from A to B - even more so if they're a keyworker.
I'm an enthusiast but I really don't care, if its a copy and paste job, I just want the bus to get me from A to B, as I'm a keyworker.
Well it’s not a question of caring. This is a forum about buses, we get into the minor details of each decision that’s made. In the same way members read certain Twitter feeds to get the latest scoop of new brands, vehicle movements etc.
Go North East has been been branding vehicles and bus routes for the best part of 15 years now, clearly strategies for doing so evolve. Natural staff turnover and managerial changes mixed with changing consumer habits and wider regeneration (or lack of it) will mean priorities change over time.
Most people in our region use buses as the only means of transport suitable. They’re non car drivers or work somewhere parking or driving isn’t convenient. So you’re right the colour of the number 4 or what name is given to the X1 isn’t the top priority. But it’s a marketing strategy to encourage repeated use (for both those regular journeys and leisure travel in normal times) and also most importantly entice new customers to ditch the car and use the bus.
The point that was made further up - and realising I’m replying a couple of days past - is that tinkering with colour schemes and trying to make networks link together seems counterintuitive. As you point out, key workers like yourself don’t pay particular notice to the new Crusader 27 being painted sliver with red at the rear. Most will notice it’s now a double decker and allowing greater capacity and it’s still mostly silver. The idea that bit of red that’s being added then links to the wider South Tyneside network also being ‘red’ doesn’t particularly strike me as something that passengers are going notice.
However, the new look solos for Washington look good in the two tone pink colours. Just a shame about the name.