(18 Dec 2015, 1:13 pm)DanPicken wrote It may of been since they couldn't get Streetshites in time, it's only the Cadets which are unreliable.
(18 Dec 2015, 1:13 pm)Dan wrote The book value on full size single deckers and double deckers is expected to depreciate over the vehicle's life span of 15 years. Midibuses and minibuses are only expected to depreciate over a life span of 12 years.
(18 Dec 2015, 3:35 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote If Streetdecks are coming for X21 let's take the opportunity to revive the OK Express(way) brand on it with that wonderful traditional style livery the Scanias had for the OK1. But please, no windows blocked by branding, as being able to see out is especially important on long routes (and I and everyone I know think its important on all routes).
(18 Dec 2015, 4:27 pm)S813 FVK wrote And to compliment the above, the X21 has been branded Pronto since the service was introduced in its current guise. I think it would be wrong to change it given that customers are more familiar with the Pronto brand.
(18 Dec 2015, 4:39 pm)Andreos1 wrote 6020 was looking forlorn this morning at Chester Moor. Had a fitter attending to it.
I think it was 6020 that I saw parked up on Saturday with its hazards on.
re OK vs Pronto and ages. The Northern name was phased out years ago, made a comeback and has now been introduced as a brand.
Post 86, there was no such thing as 'Northern', only variants of it.
A gap of 20+ years prior to it being reintroduced.
The OK name vanished in the mid/late 90's.
If Northern is ok (no pun intended), why not OK?
(18 Dec 2015, 5:58 pm)Greg in Weardale wrote Quite a few young people on this forum lamented the passing of the OK Expressway livery and Northern, Venture and Diamond all refer to historic operators around the area now served by the brands. There's nowt wrong with having some traditionally named brands and liveries along with some modern, trendy ones. The X21 is now an ideal case for the former. And several brands (some good, some not) have been replaced recently eg Highwayman to Green Arrow, (quite liked both), Laser (so so) to See it, do it (naff), Lime (stupid name) to Coast & Country (not bad) etc. Pronto is a pretty silly name and not a brilliant livery. The Bishop - Newcastle route was the main line of OK (for both constituent companies, Emerson and Howe) so there's a relevance there, (which there wasn't with the OK1 route) and it was a brilliant livery. I hope Prince Bishops will be kept as it's a good brand (being pedantic, it would have more relevance to a Durham (Cathedral) to Bishop Auckland (home of the Bishop) route, but the name does cover the whole area as the "Land of the Prince Bishops" because in mediaeval times the Bishop ruled what is now County Durham and Northumberland in the name of the King (end of history lesson).
(18 Dec 2015, 6:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Some brands just don't work without vinyls going over the windows with the Prince Bishops being one of them. Contravision is easy to see out of in the day when it is light and, to be honest, it doesn't matter when it is dark as you won't be able to see much anyway.
(18 Dec 2015, 5:21 pm)R852 PRG wrote I agree with what Adrian says in a way; but ''Northern'' was far more of a household name in the region than ''OK'' was. In my opinion, the former deserves to hold, albeit a limited, name within the company nowadays, while ''OK'' was just amalgamated into Go Ahead Northern upon acquisition. Another point is that the current usage of ''Northern'' as a brand for the OmniDekkas on the 6, X70 and X71 is that it has been applied to vehicles that are 11/12 years old and will be removed from service within the next five years if their expected shelf live is acknowledged. With the case of reviving ''OK'' for some brand new vehicles, which are at the top of their range, it wouldn't be right in my opinion to apply the livery of something so far into the past onto something brand new. It would be like giving an iPhone 6S to a man still living in the 1950s.
(18 Dec 2015, 7:14 pm)Andreos1 wrote Diamond and Venture were taken over a long while before OK were, yet we see their names used - including Venture on brand new vehicles.
Heck, that fella still living in the 1950's may struggle to remember Venture!
I have stated many a time that I am not a fan of branding. It doesn't do much for me.
I couldn't give two hoots whether OK is brought back, however if there is a choice between OK or the current brand, OK would win hands down - if only because of the relevance to the route.
Northern may be recognised more in its traditional heartlands, but not sure about some areas like Wearside and North Tyneside, who were used to Sunderland and District or Tynemouth etc plying their trade.
(18 Dec 2015, 6:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Some brands just don't work without vinyls going over the windows with the Prince Bishops being one of them. Contravision is easy to see out of in the day when it is light and, to be honest, it doesn't matter when it is dark as you won't be able to see much anyway.
(18 Dec 2015, 7:22 pm)Michael wrote Its just like Busway's will never come back, neither will Wear Buses etc.I am not sure it is about pleasing enthusiasts.
I hope they don't bring it back, why should they bring it back just to please enthusiasts? Its in the past, move on.
(18 Dec 2015, 7:39 pm)Andreos1 wrote I am not sure it is about pleasing enthusiasts.
Were the OK, Venture and Diamond brands brought back to appease enthusiasts or because of a marketing executive who thought it would be a good idea?
(18 Dec 2015, 7:42 pm)Michael wrote Not sure, they might of been, but why keep going back to the roots, when they can have new brands?Naming a brand, to suit a small proportion of its customer base (enthusiasts), isn't going to make much business sense.
(18 Dec 2015, 7:47 pm)Andreos1 wrote Naming a brand, to suit a small proportion of its customer base (enthusiasts), isn't going to make much business sense.
Nicked this from wiki, but basic marketing rules, like the following:
A key ingredient in launching a successful company is the selection of its name. Product names that are considered generally sound have several qualities in common.
◾They strategically distinguish the product from its competitors by conveying its unique positioning
◾They hold appeal for the product’s target audience
◾They imply or evoke a salient brand attribute, quality or benefit.
◾They are available for legal protection and "trademark".
◾They allow companies to bond with their customers to create loyalty.
◾They have a symbolic association that fortifies the image of a company or a product to the consumers.
◾They help motivate customers to buy the product.
◾They can be legally acquired and developed
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_naming
In the case of Venture, Diamond and OK - then they tick a number of those boxes.
Would a brand new brand tick as many?
(18 Dec 2015, 7:47 pm)Andreos1 wrote Naming a brand, to suit a small proportion of its customer base (enthusiasts), isn't going to make much business sense.
Nicked this from wiki, but basic marketing rules, like the following:
A key ingredient in launching a successful company is the selection of its name. Product names that are considered generally sound have several qualities in common.
◾They strategically distinguish the product from its competitors by conveying its unique positioning
◾They hold appeal for the product’s target audience
◾They imply or evoke a salient brand attribute, quality or benefit.
◾They are available for legal protection and "trademark".
◾They allow companies to bond with their customers to create loyalty.
◾They have a symbolic association that fortifies the image of a company or a product to the consumers.
◾They help motivate customers to buy the product.
◾They can be legally acquired and developed
https://en.m.wikipedia.org/wiki/Product_naming
In the case of Venture, Diamond and OK - then they tick a number of those boxes.
Would a brand new brand tick as many?
(18 Dec 2015, 7:55 pm)Adrian wrote Interestingly they let the 'Go OK Travel' name drop back in 2008: https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00002159964Interesting.
It's also worth noting that the red/white/blue 'Go' livery has also dropped, so it'll allow buses to be preserved into that livery, without threat of legal action: https://www.ipo.gov.uk/tmcase/Results/1/UK00002158426
(18 Dec 2015, 7:56 pm)Michael wrote The FAB 56, Red Arrows, Angel just name a few?
All of them do well without them being a previous company in the NE?
I know what you're saying, don't get me wrong but i'm trying to get my point across but i can't explain it, if you know what i mean.
(18 Dec 2015, 9:12 pm)Andreos1 wrote Interesting.
Always wondered what the arrangement was, with regard to using a copyrighted design on a preserved vehicle.
Whey, apart from being inspired to use brand names introduced by another operator...
(18 Dec 2015, 7:27 pm)Michael wrote Ye, the Prince Bishops brand will be rubbish if the crown part didn't go up to top of the window.
I see his point about nearly all the windows getting covered but when its just 2 (1 on each side) then it shouldn't be a problem, just don't sit where its covered..........