(19 Jan 2013, 9:38 pm)Daniel wrote

(19 Jan 2013, 9:17 pm)Brandon wrote I thought it was odd this morning seeing Fast Cats X35 leaflets stocked in the SimpliCity Versa (36) I was on! I am a bit surprised that the spare Versa hasn't been re-painted into Northern Red yet.

I've noticed a hell of a lot of branded service leaflets being stocked in the wrong vehicles - that's not just Deptford either!
The 78 I was on today had leaflets for the 50 on it...

(20 Jan 2013, 5:57 pm)Liam wrote

(20 Jan 2013, 5:47 pm)Daniel wrote Pretty sure I was told they'd be coming in late too!

I wish Go North East had held back a little actually, isn't it March 2013 where we can have new 13 regs? Would have been better than 62 regs!

I believe the first vehicle was originally due 4 weeks back. But Wrightbus have been running a little behind with the number of vehicles being produced for London. I wouldn't be too surprised if we also get some further cast-offs this year from London.

(21 Jan 2013, 6:00 pm)Brandon wrote Those allocations are all over the place!

Peterlee's East Durham 541 doing this evenings 592 runs.

(22 Jan 2013, 7:40 pm)ian wrote i wonder if this could spell the end of the branded routes and return all buses to northern red, thus easing the wrong "branded" bus turning up. Somehow i think we're stuck with the brands for a little while longer.

(22 Jan 2013, 8:17 pm)Daniel wrote

(22 Jan 2013, 7:40 pm)ian wrote i wonder if this could spell the end of the branded routes and return all buses to northern red, thus easing the wrong "branded" bus turning up. Somehow i think we're stuck with the brands for a little while longer.

'Martin has led the delivery of Go North East’s innovative approach to marketing; introducing mobile-ticketing, "the key" smartcard and the development of 50 branded routes, all of which have helped boost patronage over recent years.'

Does that look to you like they'd de-brand all services? :L

(22 Jan 2013, 8:25 pm)Adam wrote

(22 Jan 2013, 8:17 pm)Daniel wrote

(22 Jan 2013, 7:40 pm)ian wrote i wonder if this could spell the end of the branded routes and return all buses to northern red, thus easing the wrong "branded" bus turning up. Somehow i think we're stuck with the brands for a little while longer.

'Martin has led the delivery of Go North East’s innovative approach to marketing; introducing mobile-ticketing, "the key" smartcard and the development of 50 branded routes, all of which have helped boost patronage over recent years.'

Does that look to you like they'd de-brand all services? :L

I agree with you Daniel. Now, I am going to baffle you all with some business related wiff waff so please bear with me. Mr Harris has transformed GNE and the branding has gained GNE a USP and a competitive advantage over its competitors, which is good for consumers as it makes public transport more attractive and easier to use, increasing the likelihood of the company making a greater profit. Therefore, debranding all the buses will lose the USP and competitive advantage GNE have gained over the last few years.

(22 Jan 2013, 8:35 pm)Daniel wrote

(22 Jan 2013, 8:25 pm)Adam wrote

(22 Jan 2013, 8:17 pm)Daniel wrote

(22 Jan 2013, 7:40 pm)ian wrote i wonder if this could spell the end of the branded routes and return all buses to northern red, thus easing the wrong "branded" bus turning up. Somehow i think we're stuck with the brands for a little while longer.

'Martin has led the delivery of Go North East’s innovative approach to marketing; introducing mobile-ticketing, "the key" smartcard and the development of 50 branded routes, all of which have helped boost patronage over recent years.'

Does that look to you like they'd de-brand all services? :L

I agree with you Daniel. Now, I am going to baffle you all with some business related wiff waff so please bear with me. Mr Harris has transformed GNE and the branding has gained GNE a USP and a competitive advantage over its competitors, which is good for consumers as it makes public transport more attractive and easier to use, increasing the likelihood of the company making a greater profit. Therefore, debranding all the buses will lose the USP and competitive advantage GNE have gained over the last few years.

Good job I take Business Studies at GCSE and know exactly what unique selling points are!
Not only would it be displeasing to the members of the public of the North East (having to deal with one single generic livery again wouldn't be particularly pleasing to the eye - especially as Go North East's is ever so much more tedious than it was in a previous age), but it would be incredibly confusing for those who rely on the branding of bus. I know on Boxing Day, when allocations were all over the place due to the closure of several depots, a lot of elderly folk had to ask the driver whether he was driving x service, and every time, the driver had to say yes. While I admit that the occasional incorrect brand appearing on a service may be confusing right now, it's a problem that can be fixed in the short term, whereas the confusion caused if they were all to be de-branded would most definitely be long term.
The thing that concerns me most of all is how disrespectful it would be to Peter Huntley - the guy who started the brands off... I've always wanted to see one vehicle branded up in his memorial (similar to 4949), but unfortunately never got it... I'm thinking that most people won't even know the name "Peter Huntley" so it wouldn't be beneficial to Go North East at all.

I totally agree though... The unique selling point of public transport provided by Go North East is most definitely the different brands of services. That is why they are so heavily advertised.
Go North East are a prestigious operator, and their name is known all across the United Kingdom. I'd assume that this is because of their brands. Of course being part of Go-Ahead helps too, but yeah.

(22 Jan 2013, 9:17 pm)ian wrote Trent barton have on their spare/fleet liveried buses the name of the route rather than a number on destination blinds, so maybe this maybe an option, which to be honest i think gne should apply when the route is operated by a red bus anyway, so maybe have "highwayman" in large print & then the usual destination on alternating screens, thus helping passengers

(23 Jan 2013, 6:59 pm)Michael wrote Seen a Whey Aye five-0 on either 8/78/78A tonight, heading to park lane..


I wonder what services it will go on at stanley, Hope it goes out on the Lime services

(23 Jan 2013, 6:38 pm)Daniel wrote An Optare Versa 11.7m demonstrator in full Go North East livery has been received. After a period of operation from Stanley, it will transfer to another Go-ahead Group subsidiary for continued demonstration. It is 9133: YJ62 FFB.

Anyone have any ideas of which routes it's going on? Hoping it's one that runs into Newcastle - Stanley is miles out!

(24 Jan 2013, 4:44 pm)Daniel wrote I can only hope that I'll manage to get a photo of it on the "Lime" 8/78 service, as I believe it'll be a core route they'll be trialing it on!