(20 Mar 2024, 1:12 pm)V514DFT wrote Not necessarily, might go back to being the red Centurion that was worn by the 75/76

Let’s hope not

I wonder if the new GNE Head of Commercial at GNE will continue with flooding the branding of services or will he go and scale back the brands and be more uniform of services and bring the GNE identity back?

Does anyone know of the background work he’s done in the past before joining GNE?



PRESS RELEASE - 21 MARCH 2024
Daniel Laird appointed as Head of Commercial at Go North East
Go North East has announced the appointment of Daniel Laird as the new Head of Commercial, effective April 22, 2024. With over 15 years of experience in the passenger transport industry, Daniel brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the company.

Daniel has previously enjoyed excellent spells with Stagecoach Bluebird/North Scotland, and First Aberdeen after joining the industry through First’s Graduate Recruitment programme. He has led several major business projects including network and product improvements, new partnerships with businesses and local authorities, and the integration of an electric vehicle fleet in Aberdeen.

Nigel Featham, the Managing Director of Go North East, said, "We are delighted to welcome Daniel to Go North East. His extensive experience and proven track record in the industry make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. Daniel's strategy and stakeholder track record will strengthen our work with our partners in the region."

"I am thrilled to be joining Go North East and look forward to contributing to the company's continued success," said Daniel Laird. "I am eager to work with the talented team to further enhance our commercial offerings and deliver exceptional service to our passengers."


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(21 Mar 2024, 11:10 am)cbma06 wrote I wonder if the new GNE Head of Commercial at GNE will continue with flooding the branding of services or will he go and scale back the brands and be more uniform of services and bring the GNE identity back?

Does anyone know of the background work he’s done in the past before joining GNE?



PRESS RELEASE - 21 MARCH 2024
Daniel Laird appointed as Head of Commercial at Go North East
Go North East has announced the appointment of Daniel Laird as the new Head of Commercial, effective April 22, 2024. With over 15 years of experience in the passenger transport industry, Daniel brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the company.

Daniel has previously enjoyed excellent spells with Stagecoach Bluebird/North Scotland, and First Aberdeen after joining the industry through First’s Graduate Recruitment programme. He has led several major business projects including network and product improvements, new partnerships with businesses and local authorities, and the integration of an electric vehicle fleet in Aberdeen.

Nigel Featham, the Managing Director of Go North East, said, "We are delighted to welcome Daniel to Go North East. His extensive experience and proven track record in the industry make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. Daniel's strategy and stakeholder track record will strengthen our work with our partners in the region."

"I am thrilled to be joining Go North East and look forward to contributing to the company's continued success," said Daniel Laird. "I am eager to work with the talented team to further enhance our commercial offerings and deliver exceptional service to our passengers."


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Another Daniel. 
He's not our very own Daniel though.

(21 Mar 2024, 11:10 am)cbma06 wrote Does anyone know of the background work he’s done in the past before joining GNE?

Daniel has previously enjoyed excellent spells with Stagecoach Bluebird/North Scotland, and First Aberdeen after joining the industry through First’s Graduate Recruitment programme. He has led several major business projects including network and product improvements, new partnerships with businesses and local authorities, and the integration of an electric vehicle fleet in Aberdeen.

First Aberdeen has been cut after cut for years, it's a shadow of the network that was in place 10 years ago. Routes and links totally gone, totally unsuitable vehicles. Not sure how much of that is down to an unwillingness from the company to properly resource things though. 

In terms of Bluebird, I used the 727 almost daily when I was up there. It was on a 10 minute frequency and always very busy (and used for local travel as much as the competing First services along the same corridor, despite it being an Airport bus). It's now down to a 15 minute frequency, and I'm sure it was every 20 minutes for a while though I might be wrong. Outside of that and the 59, their other services were into Aberdeenshire and I assume a fair chunk were subsidised so I'm not too sure how much impact could be had. That said, things like the Westhill and Portlethen/Stonehaven corridors have been messy for some time. 

Obviously I'm not sure on when he worked at either of those operators and what changes he has been involved in, but overall First Aberdeen in particular isn't a great example of growth/network improvements.

(21 Mar 2024, 1:39 pm)mb134 wrote First Aberdeen has been cut after cut for years, it's a shadow of the network that was in place 10 years ago. Routes and links totally gone, totally unsuitable vehicles. Not sure how much of that is down to an unwillingness from the company to properly resource things though. 

In terms of Bluebird, I used the 727 almost daily when I was up there. It was on a 10 minute frequency and always very busy (and used for local travel as much as the competing First services along the same corridor, despite it being an Airport bus). It's now down to a 15 minute frequency, and I'm sure it was every 20 minutes for a while though I might be wrong. Outside of that and the 59, their other services were into Aberdeenshire and I assume a fair chunk were subsidised so I'm not too sure how much impact could be had. That said, things like the Westhill and Portlethen/Stonehaven corridors have been messy for some time. 

Obviously I'm not sure on when he worked at either of those operators and what changes he has been involved in, but overall First Aberdeen in particular isn't a great example of growth/network improvements.

Well, this is his Linkedin page (i think) https://www.linkedin.com/in/daniel-laird-14592254/ Seems he left First Aberdeen in 2017, and went straight to SC Bluebird not sure what that network is like but if its cuts after cuts he'll do great down here

(21 Mar 2024, 1:39 pm)mb134 wrote First Aberdeen has been cut after cut for years, it's a shadow of the network that was in place 10 years ago. Routes and links totally gone, totally unsuitable vehicles. Not sure how much of that is down to an unwillingness from the company to properly resource things though. 

In terms of Bluebird, I used the 727 almost daily when I was up there. It was on a 10 minute frequency and always very busy (and used for local travel as much as the competing First services along the same corridor, despite it being an Airport bus). It's now down to a 15 minute frequency, and I'm sure it was every 20 minutes for a while though I might be wrong. Outside of that and the 59, their other services were into Aberdeenshire and I assume a fair chunk were subsidised so I'm not too sure how much impact could be had. That said, things like the Westhill and Portlethen/Stonehaven corridors have been messy for some time. 

Obviously I'm not sure on when he worked at either of those operators and what changes he has been involved in, but overall First Aberdeen in particular isn't a great example of growth/network improvements.

His twitter feed is full of electric car talk. 

Dunno why a bus employee would even need a car to be honest. 
Surely the network would suffice?

(21 Mar 2024, 11:10 am)cbma06 wrote I wonder if the new GNE Head of Commercial at GNE will continue with flooding the branding of services or will he go and scale back the brands and be more uniform of services and bring the GNE identity back?

Does anyone know of the background work he’s done in the past before joining GNE?



PRESS RELEASE - 21 MARCH 2024
Daniel Laird appointed as Head of Commercial at Go North East
Go North East has announced the appointment of Daniel Laird as the new Head of Commercial, effective April 22, 2024. With over 15 years of experience in the passenger transport industry, Daniel brings a wealth of expertise and leadership to the company.

Daniel has previously enjoyed excellent spells with Stagecoach Bluebird/North Scotland, and First Aberdeen after joining the industry through First’s Graduate Recruitment programme. He has led several major business projects including network and product improvements, new partnerships with businesses and local authorities, and the integration of an electric vehicle fleet in Aberdeen.

Nigel Featham, the Managing Director of Go North East, said, "We are delighted to welcome Daniel to Go North East. His extensive experience and proven track record in the industry make him a valuable addition to our leadership team. Daniel's strategy and stakeholder track record will strengthen our work with our partners in the region."

"I am thrilled to be joining Go North East and look forward to contributing to the company's continued success," said Daniel Laird. "I am eager to work with the talented team to further enhance our commercial offerings and deliver exceptional service to our passengers."


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GNE has been cutting back on branding since MG left - how many branded repaints have their been since his departure?

Too good for GNE to be honest.

Done a lot of good work with the Orkney tenders as well as the network around Aviemore, Buchan and Aberdeen Airport + successful launch of a fully electric Inverness city network

(21 Mar 2024, 7:14 pm)busmanT wrote GNE has been cutting back on branding since MG left - how many branded repaints have there been since his departure?

Supershuttle is the only one I can recall plus whatever the Tyneside links refresh will look like. 

They appear to be sensibly focusing on getting stuff into roadstripes when they do open the paint shop up.

(21 Mar 2024, 4:08 pm)Andreos1 wrote His twitter feed is full of electric car talk. 

Dunno why a bus employee would even need a car to be honest. 
Surely the network would suffice?

I think you should give the Laird a chance man.

(22 Mar 2024, 6:55 am)MurdnunoC wrote I think you should give the Laird a chance man.

I was prepared to. But you divnt Dan on about electric cars if you're a bus officiando. 
Maybe he just doesn't love buses as much as our very own Dan?

(21 Mar 2024, 7:14 pm)busmanT wrote GNE has been cutting back on branding since MG left - how many branded repaints have their been since his departure?

Unfortunately it looks like they’re still at it:

https://x.com/garyhunter91/status/1772376508171968754?s=46&t=tPuGEygnn6BhKgNFiA4yAw

(26 Mar 2024, 5:29 am)ne14ne1 wrote Unfortunately it looks like they’re still at it:

https://x.com/garyhunter91/status/1772376508171968754?s=46&t=tPuGEygnn6BhKgNFiA4yAw

These look suspiciously like old style Envrio 400 with the Durham Diamond branding .........

(26 Mar 2024, 11:57 am)Arcticrossy92 wrote These look suspiciously like old style Envrio 400 with the Durham Diamond branding .........

Is it not the new Drifter rebranding!!!!!!

(26 Mar 2024, 4:26 pm)Retro Nero wrote Is it not the new Drifter rebranding!!!!!!

Can't wait to see a 10year old Enviro in Xlines branding for the X5/X15, hopefully the internals have been sorted out. Maybe they are getting those lovely new seats out the driving training vehicles .....

(26 Mar 2024, 4:26 pm)Retro Nero wrote Is it not the new Drifter rebranding!!!!!!

Drifters can’t have deckers because of the low bridge in dawdon

(26 Mar 2024, 7:10 pm)ALavery wrote Drifters can’t have deckers because of the low bridge in dawdon

Is it not a streetlight?

(26 Mar 2024, 7:16 pm)Retro Nero wrote Is it not a streetlight?

Its an E400

(26 Mar 2024, 6:09 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote Can't wait to see a 10year old Enviro in Xlines branding for the X5/X15, hopefully the internals have been sorted out. Maybe they are getting those lovely new seats out the driving training vehicles .....

I thought there was only 9 E400s which were for the 16, meaning the X5/15 wouldn't be getting them?

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(27 Mar 2024, 12:19 pm)Tiger5105 wrote I thought there was only 9 E400s which were for the 16, meaning the X5/15 wouldn't be getting them?

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Thats a shame, I wonder if their is any plan for the X5/X15 or is it being downgranded. Voyager B9's seem to be the bus of choice at the moment.

(27 Mar 2024, 12:19 pm)Tiger5105 wrote I thought there was only 9 E400s which were for the 16, meaning the X5/15 wouldn't be getting them?

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Nope, It is just for the Diamond Services. X5/X15 will be getting something some point later down the line

Any pics of the repainted and refurbished Enviros yet?

Looks like the elusive 6337 is back at Consett in fleet livery

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I wasn’t expecting to see the white diesel Yutongs to appear in fleet livery at this rather late stage:

https://flic.kr/p/2q8GzVL

Seen this on Facebook:

Vehicle alterations:

-5358/BX63 BCK Is being painted into "Fleet Livery".

-5500/YD70 CDZ Is being painted into "Fleet Livery".

6959/SN60 BZB Has received a Door conversation & Light refurbishment.


Are all of the connection 4 Citaro's going in to fleet livery?

The connection 4 service has 2 extra branded vehicles since the frequency decrease, so I assume just two will be painted into fleet livery.

5358: https://flic.kr/p/2q9zDA5