Today's Sunderland rare working of the day goes to the Pointer 2 Dart on the X1! Unfortunately didn't get a photo.

Building on the points made earlier in the main GNE forum, thought it would be worth making a new thread to discuss and compare branding and the different strategies operators use.

Whilst inovative 6 or 7 years ago with the funky colours and imaginative names, personally I think GNE have gone too far.
Having worked and spent a lot of time in Nottingham, it has been a success down there, however the network is totally different, with the majority of routes being similar to Stagecoach City Centre to Estates type services.

However when looking at ANE or SNE, their branding isnt as brash or over the top as the ones GNE have and they still maintain their corporate identities.

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North East Buses Management.

KH07 EPY Stanley Travel Enviro 200 Dart on the 968 to Easington Lane despite display Sorry Not In Service, I think the Blind is broken. Also there were only 3 passengers on board.
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/

Bus Related Outings and Reviews to be posted in this thread

News, debate and discussion on the North West's Bus Operations.
Bus operators include the likes of Stagecoach, First, Arriva and many more.

Was out and about today and I stumbled across these at Washington Motorway Services.

512 BU13 ZTD Setra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
515 BU13 ZTG Setra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/
(Rear 512) BU13 ZTD Setra
http://www.flickr.com/photos/adammalarke...otostream/

Looks like Dennis R Y437DAB has been painted into fleet livery.
A new addition to the fleet is Volvo B10M R952YNF from Oakleaf of Barnsley.

Just came across this interesting read about value for money with operators.

Relevant to all operators...

Www.thebuspeople.co.uk/?p=2236

New Dart Y10DPC entered service today in all over silver on the 18/19/45/492 circuit, it is fitted with a Mobitec LED and is expected to gain a non-cherished plate soon, I understand its a 51 reg.

A 170 page thread is a sign of a forum that is moving forward but it's discussion is diverse (and contains some heated debates)

Isn't it time it was split it up? Should spottings, phottings and days out be separated off (possibly into its own sub forum). Then each service discussion can have its own discussion.

The questions that the above poses, is where does the interesting operational bits go (eg breakdowns, buses on wrong routes).