(24 Jan 2024, 10:38 am)Adrian wrote I'm not sure where the element of surprise comes from? If there's a suggestion that something is cost-effective, I think it's perfectly reasonable to query the rationale of the statement.

It may not come with the costs of an agency to design a livery for you, but you're still utilising staff time in design, prep and paint. With your example of fleet livery (red, blue plus road stripes vinyl), then prep and paint of this is almost double (red, blue, white, yellow(?), plus Super Shuttle vinyls). Plus, has this not been repainted elsewhere, prior to coming back to the North East, only to be painted a different shade of blue? One of the same batch in a very similar livery here: https://www.flickr.com/photos/62607125@N08/53463646194/.

All of this comes at a cost to the business, and as I've posted earlier, with no tangible record of results on this particular service.

I was surprised at your seemingly one-dimensional interpretation of my post as you're usually an articulate contributor capable of critical thinking. 

I'd suggest your analysis of the detail of this specific repaint actually goes to defend how low-cost this seems to have been produced for. We'd need someone more qualified in the area for exact numbers but the differences in time and product to produce Super Shuttle versus fleet livery really does seem like splitting hairs. I expect experienced painters really don't see this as a particular challenge and we've got no evidence as to how many office hours were spend on the design aspect, but I'd be surprised if it entered double figures. 

Please don't misinterpret my opinion on this specific matter as condoning the culture at Bensham at large. The 'them & us' attitude and boy's club is apparent as an outsider and from friends within the company. It's toxic and perhaps their biggest challenge as an organisation. 

The X66 has been branded since its inception, bar the few months since the Volvos departed to Go North West. Your criticism of its branding would have to be thrown toward each management regime since the mid 1980s, presumably they have access to the record of results that we do not. As a layperson, I'd suggest it's a good candidate for branding as it's prime for elastic bus users - perhaps drivers who dislike busy car parks or want to have a drink at the Metro's leisure quarter. The network at large is a multi-coloured spaghetti to them but a simple express shuttle from Gateshead Metro to their destination in a specific stand-out colour scheme is easy to spot and understand.