(27 Jan 2014, 8:14 pm)Tom wrote I hate it! Not sure why, just doesn't appeal to me.

(27 Jan 2014, 8:42 pm)ne14ne1 wrote From what we've seen so far - which isn't a lot to be fair - I don't like it either.
When we heard it was going to get new branding added, I thought maybe some silver/gold swooshes or ribbon type design floating along the full length of both halves, could of given it a VIP/slightly posh or upmarket type look, and maybe advertised as taking the merc to the metrocentre or something. But that just looks like some kid took out their sticker book, got a little too excited, and slapped everything all over it.

Extremely cheap looking font on the front too

(27 Jan 2014, 8:42 pm)ne14ne1 wrote From what we've seen so far - which isn't a lot to be fair - I don't like it either.
When we heard it was going to get new branding added, I thought maybe some silver/gold swooshes or ribbon type design floating along the full length of both halves, could of given it a VIP/slightly posh or upmarket type look, and maybe advertised as taking the merc to the metrocentre or something. But that just looks like some kid took out their sticker book, got a little too excited, and slapped everything all over it.

Extremely cheap looking font on the front too

(27 Jan 2014, 8:16 pm)nk55 wrote Cant make it out, will need to see it in the daylight.

(27 Jan 2014, 8:49 pm)Dan wrote But of course remember this is said to be a temporary livery only - the X66 is rumoured to be in line for vehicle investment at the end of this year!

Regarding your comment of 'taking the Merc to the Metrocentre' - does your average passenger know or care whether the bus is a Merc or not? What appeal would that have to them?
It's always baffled me why one of the Blaydon Racers has that branding on the rear as its tagline.

(27 Jan 2014, 8:49 pm)Dan wrote But of course remember this is said to be a temporary livery only - the X66 is rumoured to be in line for vehicle investment at the end of this year!

Regarding your comment of 'taking the Merc to the Metrocentre' - does your average passenger know or care whether the bus is a Merc or not? What appeal would that have to them?
It's always baffled me why one of the Blaydon Racers has that branding on the rear as its tagline.

(27 Jan 2014, 8:57 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote When the Citaros were on the Red Arrows X1, they had a Similar Tagline of "Leave the Car at Home, Take the Merc", I think the Silver Arrows before they got Rebranded also had the same Tagline above the Rear Wheel Arch, and also on the Rear.

5275 notably had this Tagline - http://www.flickr.com/photos/33928144@N07/3761223543/

(27 Jan 2014, 8:50 pm)citaro5284 wrote Is the font not what intu use?
VIP look.....when the bus is used mainly by kids at weekends
Upmarket.....You been to the Metrocentre when the schools are off or at weekends, would hardly say it was upmarket.

(27 Jan 2014, 8:49 pm)Dan wrote But of course remember this is said to be a temporary livery only - the X66 is rumoured to be in line for vehicle investment at the end of this year!

Regarding your comment of 'taking the Merc to the Metrocentre' - does your average passenger know or care whether the bus is a Merc or not? What appeal would that have to them?
It's always baffled me why one of the Blaydon Racers has that branding on the rear as its tagline.

(27 Jan 2014, 9:51 pm)northtynelinks2 wrote I doubt that highly as its such a complex livery and im sure the don't want to waste all of their money on a stickers that aren't even going to see a years usage.

(27 Jan 2014, 7:54 pm)Dan wrote Photograph on link below:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/danielgrahamm/12177099455/

Quite a rushed shot, but better than none at all - I can happily do the news now!

(27 Jan 2014, 10:38 pm)Arcticrossy92 wrote Shocking branding in comparrison to all the recent brandings, I hope its only Temp, whats with the front, was it created on Microsoft word.

Hopefully when the route gets new buses they will get something better.

Surprised they didnt put 'INTU Metrocentre' on rather than Metrocentre, especially the logo. From working in the Metrocentre those guys were going overboard with the whole 'Intu' thing. They even covered up anything with a old metrocentre logo on even if it was just a no smoking sign, so surprised by that.

(27 Jan 2014, 11:06 pm)aureolin wrote You'd think the intu logo would be prominent if they were paying all or part towards the branding. It not being there makes me think they're not.

(27 Jan 2014, 11:24 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Could say the same about Stagecoach with the 100, As there Branding also doesn't carry the intu logo, I would say it's pointless having the intu logo on the Buses anyway, as there is more than just those Services that serve the MetroCentre, Maybe if the Destination Blind on the X66 read "Intu MetroCentre X66" Then maybe it may of carried the intu logo, But it doesn't, at the end of the day Go North East have provided an Improved Promotional albeit Temporary Livery for the X66 to the MetroCentre, Compared to the Previous Liveries the X66 has had.

Also I am curious are 4926-4931 - 4942/43 - 5201-5204 - 5250/53/54 and 70 - 5389/90 - 6099/6100 and 6116/7 and the Cadets at Washington which are all Plain Red, Will they receive further Go North East Logos i.e. on the Sides, or are just going to Remain how they are with Logo above the Doors and Upper/Lower Section of the Driver Cab, As look rather Plain to me, Particularly the Geminis.

(27 Jan 2014, 11:55 pm)CatsFast101 wrote I'd say they are thinking about what looks best maybe a few test liveries should be tried?

(28 Jan 2014, 12:06 am)aureolin wrote Test liveries are a bit of a pointless expense when you could pay a designer to 3D model it for you.

(27 Jan 2014, 11:24 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Could say the same about Stagecoach with the 100, As there Branding also doesn't carry the intu logo,

(27 Jan 2014, 11:24 pm)Adam Malarkey wrote Could say the same about Stagecoach with the 100, As there Branding also doesn't carry the intu logo, I would say it's pointless having the intu logo on the Buses anyway, as there is more than just those Services that serve the MetroCentre, Maybe if the Destination Blind on the X66 read "Intu MetroCentre X66" Then maybe it may of carried the intu logo, But it doesn't, at the end of the day Go North East have provided an Improved Promotional albeit Temporary Livery for the X66 to the MetroCentre, Compared to the Previous Liveries the X66 has had.

Also I am curious are 4926-4931 - 4942/43 - 5201-5204 - 5250/53/54 and 70 - 5389/90 - 6099/6100 and 6116/7 and the Cadets at Washington which are all Plain Red, Will they receive further Go North East Logos i.e. on the Sides, or are just going to Remain how they are with Logo above the Doors and Upper/Lower Section of the Driver Cab, As look rather Plain to me, Particularly the Geminis.

(27 Jan 2014, 10:56 pm)gtomlinson wrote It's intu Metrocentre not Metrocentre.. If they can't even get the basics right

(27 Jan 2014, 11:06 pm)aureolin wrote You'd think the intu logo would be prominent if they were paying all or part towards the branding. It not being there makes me think they're not.

(27 Jan 2014, 10:56 pm)gtomlinson wrote Agreed on the above

It's intu Metrocentre not Metrocentre.. If they can't even get the basics right

(28 Jan 2014, 10:15 am)CatsFast101 wrote How are the streetlites coping then? I'm just guessing but there seems to a quite few missing most days, 5389/5390 both on 53/54 yesterday. A solar and renown both on 60's yesterday I'm wondering if these buses are coping well? Versas been off route on the drifter wasn't too common but it's odd if there more than 5/6 on 60's.

(28 Jan 2014, 1:52 pm)mattdw92 wrote A Saltwell Park is currently at Smiles.
Looks to be having quite a bit of engine worked done.

(28 Jan 2014, 2:51 pm)citaro5284 wrote 5347 up in the air at Riverside!