(03 Sep 2015, 6:29 pm)Dan wrote A corporate liveried Volvo B7TL - the same bus works the 16:40 #8 from Enterprise Park. Runs off scholars 457.
"Marketing" = " The Right Goods in the Right Place at the Right Time at The Right Price" = Maximum Nett Profit"
GNE need to get back to basics - They have lost a corporate identity through meaningless brands, which do nothing other than dilute a corporate brand identity wich should promote values, identity and company corporate image. - Note Lothian's use of strong primary brand with local Sub route branding (Best of both worlds)
Peter Huntley probably had it right for short term recognition of routes (and enthusiasts) but I believe the time is right to now move on and develop a Quality "Northern" quality brand, with specific premium routes SUB branded within the "Northern" Prime brand - Go/ Go Ahead are legal company names/ identities which should be kept behind the scenes only - They are NOT established in the region or beyond...!
I would suggest Arriva Sapphire /Max are now marketed where Northern Gold Standard and Premium routes should hsve developed further - We are/will be left behind if this continues
Add to this the incapacity for depot managers to realise the importance of Branding, if adopted by the Company.and the Negative impact on such policy when they decide to release ANY bus (Branded imapropriately or not) on the route.
Consider visitors to the region requiring more simplicity, Strong regional identity & acceptance of cross region acceptance of tickets.
We should strive to be more like; Geneva, Paris, Berlin, London etc... and promote travel via hotel/ travel passes, ease of use (tickets) etc... And switch travel to Bus/ regional Train/ Metro / Ferry etc...
Hard hat on.... But please consider the wider issues of an integrated and easily visible policy on local public transport service, where GNE could have a strong (Profitable) corporate image. ......Think Outside The Box! .... or lets just go TfL / QCS model. ... But even there We could do much better, ....... (study: M. Inst. Marketing)