(28 Dec 2014, 9:34 pm)Dan wrote The Tynedalexpress is much more of a commercial success than the OK Expressway ever was. Go North East are obtaining higher profit levels thanks to the Tynedalexpress by using those five vehicles, which wouldn't have otherwise been the case if the operation of the OK Expressway was retained - that's what they gained from this situation.

Customers travelling between Middlesbrough and Darlington certainly didn't gain anything - they're having to fork out an extra £1.85 per single now that Go North East isn't around, it would seem!

I know it's not on the profit side of things, but I just wish GNE had continued the OK1 because of the heritage behind it. People loved the OK name, and were thrilled when an OK bus came along years after they'd last seen it on one!

I got on all 5 when they were at Chester for that short period after the OK1 was discontinued and they got repainted for the X84/X85 - and the amount of people who pointed out it was an OK bus was too many to count.

It's quite clear the brand is easily recognisable - and much loved. Why they can't do this with the X21 - scrap the Pronto name (what's even behind it? - a quick route?), and revive the OK name once again. People will love it, and no doubt some of the drivers will too!

I know I haven't mentioned her in a while, but Pat Armstrong used to work for OK before being warped into Bishop after the takeover, and she would be proud to be driving an OK bus.

Sorry for all the boldness!  - and for going off topic.