(31 Dec 2013, 7:27 pm)fozzovmurton wrote So basically any relationship GNE has with Trent Barton is purely informal to/was to collaborate on branding...

How effective is the branding on Trent Bartons patch, does it work well

I believe so, yes.

From what I've seen/heard, it works quite well in the sense that you very rarely see branded vehicles on the wrong service, but if there are not enough branded vehicles and/or spares, the services simply do not run. Go North East wouldn't let that happen - they'd run it with the wrong branded vehicle.

(31 Dec 2013, 12:09 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Under the same token I was given the information a few weeks back but shared it last week, plans may have changed since then, it's been rumoured that the remaining fab 56 Solars may be branded for X30/X31 or even the 29, hence why I shared some information. Plans may have changed I for one want newer vehicles for the X7 sooner rather than later.

The Solar from the Fab Fifty Six are not moving from Deptford. 5210 is the exception, which will be transferred to Hexham to replace SPD 8228. 5205 to 5209 are due to be painted black, and are to remain Deptford based.

Just to add. The vehicles currently branded Fast Cats are not changing.

I don’t think it was explicitly suggested that the black Solar were destined for X30/X31 services. It was suggested single decked vehicles will be allocated. Stanley will get cascade single decked vehicles, in time.

New vehicles for the X7 are being arranged. Far superior to the suggestions on this forum.

(31 Dec 2013, 7:51 pm)Rob wrote The Solar from the Fab Fifty Six are not moving from Deptford. 5210 is the exception, which will be transferred to Hexham to replace SPD 8228. 5205 to 5209 are due to be painted black, and are to remain Deptford based.

Just to add. The vehicles currently branded Fast Cats are not changing.

Slowly - ever so slowly - getting to the answer..!

(31 Dec 2013, 11:21 am)Michael wrote Question... Should we call the M2/M3/W5/W6 - Washington StreetShuttle - since its all Northern based spares now?

I think with regard the M2, M3, W5 and W6, they should remove the letters and then re-number them the 2, 3, 5 and 6. Then, the 'South Tyne 5' could be re-numbered to something else, to avoid confusion, (if any).

(31 Dec 2013, 8:23 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I think with regard the M2, M3, W5 and W6, they should remove the letters and then re-number them the 2, 3, 5 and 6. Then, the 'South Tyne 5' could be re-numbered to something else, to avoid confusion, (if any).

I think the only problem that would arise from that is the 2A/2C operation.
There are some journeys which are presently numbered 'M2A', which would presumably take the form of the '2A' in your suggestion.

(31 Dec 2013, 7:27 pm)fozzovmurton wrote So basically any relationship GNE has with Trent Barton is purely informal to/was to collaborate on branding...

How effective is the branding on Trent Bartons patch, does it work well

The branding works really well - that's coming from someone who doesn't like the wholesale idea of branding.

Very rare that vehicles appear off route either.

They have won lots of awards for it.

(31 Dec 2013, 8:31 pm)andreos1 wrote The branding works really well - that's coming from someone who doesn't like the wholesale idea of branding.

Very rare that vehicles appear off route either.

They have won lots of awards for it.

Another thing that sticks out to me, is the way they link all of their brands together. You see one of Trent Barton's brands, you know who operates it. Go North East don't have the same link, and I reckon its something that they could do with implementing... TB don't emblazon their name all over the buses, but they all still shout "Trent Barton" at you.

(31 Dec 2013, 8:44 pm)tyresmoke wrote Another thing that sticks out to me, is the way they link all of their brands together. You see one of Trent Barton's brands, you know who operates it. Go North East don't have the same link, and I reckon its something that they could do with implementing... TB don't emblazon their name all over the buses, but they all still shout "Trent Barton" at you.

I can't find it at the mo, but I put a link on the forum somewhere regarding the guy who designs the whole Trent Barton branding.
Apparently he is a bit of a legend.

Edit: here it is www.passengertransport.co.uk/2013/06/what-makes-a-really-good-bus-company/

Are the January 12th changes the Sunderland Network changes? The 9, 56, X3 and X36 changes are on the Nexus website.

(31 Dec 2013, 8:55 pm)BJ10VUS wrote Are the January 12th changes the Sunderland Network changes? The 9, 56, X3 and X36 changes are on the Nexus website.

No, they're just the changes in the City Centre routing due to the works at St. Mary's Way.

(31 Dec 2013, 8:56 pm)Dan wrote No, they're just the changes in the City Centre routing due to the works at St. Mary's Way.

Oh right, thanks!

(31 Dec 2013, 8:24 pm)Dan wrote I think the only problem that would arise from that is the 2A/2C operation.
There are some journeys which are presently numbered 'M2A', which would presumably take the form of the '2A' in your suggestion.

Oh dear... forgot about that! Maybe it's not such a good idea, as it would involve re-numbering the 2A/2C and 'South Tyne 5'.

Maybe renumbering the M2/M2A and M3 as the W1/W1A and W2, and then W5 and W6 as W3 and W4 would work, although it's probably not worth it. It just seems odd having the M2 and M3, but no M1 any more.

(31 Dec 2013, 8:23 pm)BJ10VUS wrote I think with regard the M2, M3, W5 and W6, they should remove the letters and then re-number them the 2, 3, 5 and 6. Then, the 'South Tyne 5' could be re-numbered to something else, to avoid confusion, (if any).

M2 to 2, M2A to 2A, M3 to 3, W5 to 5, W6 to 6.

Also 78A to 8A, 5 to 87, 88A to 89, 2A to 7, 2C to 7A.

Washington locals would then be 2/2A/3/4/5/6/7/7A.

South Tyne would be 87/88/89

Chester Road would be 7/7A/8/8A/78.

I would also renumber Coaster 1 as 24 and 1A as 23, and Chester short 21's to 22.

This Would give Low Fell 21/22/23/24

This would then allow X1 to be 1 and X1A the 1A, thus giving Washington 1/1A/2/2A/3/4/5/6/7/7A/8.

I think that:

1. M2/M2A/M3 should become 5/5A/6 respectively (so could be easily advertised under a new brand)

2. 5 should as a result of the above be made the 87 (to standardise South Tyne Brand),

3. W5/W6 should become 31/32,

4. 31/32 could then become 47/48 (so large proportion of Blaydon/Winlaton services to Newcastle would be similar route numbers)

5. 47 should then change to 12 (allowing, if slightly retimed, 11 and 47 to be advertised as bus every 15mins Newcatle to Blackhall Mill)

6. 78/78A could also be made the 7/7A (so Lime services are consecutively numbered).

This would improve the quality of a new brand for M2/M2A/M3 along with improving the quality of the existing South Tyne, Toon Link and Lime brands.

Getting back on-topic...

(31 Dec 2013, 7:51 pm)Rob wrote New vehicles for the X7 are being arranged. Far superior to the suggestions on this forum.

Of course this could not be right because a senior member of staff at Deptford depot disagrees, but as a New Year's Eve present to you all... Here's my first (incomplete) paper bus:

So if this new service 29 will be in corporate red colour, then maybe the black solars will go onto service 39 under a new brand, as by GNE website the 39 has no brand, and wasn't branded simplicity on the website as simplicity service 61 was.

(31 Dec 2013, 10:52 pm)cbma06 wrote So if this new service 29 will be in corporate red colour, then maybe the black solars will go onto service 39 under a new brand, as by GNE website the 39 has no brand, and wasn't branded simplicity on the website as simplicity service 61 was.

That's because 8306-09 have not yet been branded, and 8319 has not yet been repainted.

Didn't Rob mention that the Solars (including black) were staying at Deptford depot, and they would be re-allocated next month when some services are affected by changes?
Which services are affected by this consultation again? There's the 29... Rob has said this will be a 'red' service... What else?

(31 Dec 2013, 10:57 pm)Dan wrote That's because 8306-09 have not yet been branded, and 8319 has not yet been repainted.

Didn't Rob mention that the Solars (including black) were staying at Deptford depot, and they would be re-allocated next month when some services are affected by changes?
Which services are affected by this consultation again? There's the 29... Rob has said this will be a 'red' service... What else?

I think the Black Solars will end up on the X36 on an Increased Frequency when the changes occur Next Month, As for the 29 I think this is a Smart move having it in GNE Generic Livery as I personally didn't think it would branded due to how often GNE changes the Services in Sunderland.