(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

(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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(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.

(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.

(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.

(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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(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?

(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?

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

(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?

(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

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

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

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

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

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

(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 .....

(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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(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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