(01 Oct 2013, 10:00 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Right, I really don't want to carry this on too much.

I have nothing against use of northern vehicles. But I also think a regularly having not the PVR branded isn't ideal, it means the brand is watered down slightly so to speak. Customers will see more northern than centurion!

Realistically though, it should only be two "Northern" liveried vehicles that are out, each day. The reality of the situation is something different completely, but it should only be the two Lolynes required on scholar runs that are used on the 17/307. This does water the brand identity down slightly as it happens every single day, but customers should not see more Northern than Centurion - it should be an allocation of 9 branded Renowns to 2 Lolynes, if I am correct...
Unfortunately, Percy Main have a lot of problems due to the ongoing unreliability of the Omnicities. To add to this, to aid the Omnicity repaints/rebrands, there have been a number of "Northern" Omnicities covering for those that would usually be out in service; as such, the 9 has been suffering and has received Centurion B10s on a daily basis. These issues should be resolved by next week as I believe the final Omnicity has now been repainted and returned to Percy Main.

(01 Oct 2013, 10:00 pm)CatsFast101 wrote The 61 point is that for nearly a year now, seeing a drifter vehicle is as common as winning the lottery! And why not debrand the simplicity Versas? Plain purple may have been a better option.

Wouldn't it be rather pointless? I've quoted 'pointless repaint' twice now but you haven't responded - a few weeks ago you were complaining about the 'pointless repaints' at Percy Main. I'm led to believe this was nothing more than discussion between management (however convinced I was that it was happening, and however many times I actually brought the subject up) to get 5271 off the road. 5271, if I remember rightly, is the Omnicity that is limited to locals only before she starts experiencing problems. 5271 could therefore act as the branded spare vehicle until such a time arose that this vehicle could be fixed properly. Plans can change, and quite clearly have - clearly this decision wouldn't have been cost effective and therefore nothing more came of it.
Back to Deptford - if the "SimpliCity" brand is to be retained on these Versas for service 39, why would Go North East debrand them, when, in five months time, they're due to move over to the 39? I suspect you use the 61 quite frequently which is why you are so upset by this - I do too, but all I have heard is good things... "Look at these new purple buses on the 61!", "Ooooh.. These are much better than the old ones!", etc etc. I've known people to ditch the 61 to get the 60 because it has 'better buses' - and that's from non-enthusiasts. Of course this isn't the case at present but will be again in a month's time... Customers can easily adapt to changes which don't affect them in any way whatsoever.

(01 Oct 2013, 10:00 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Daniel, you also seem to be missing Stagecoach's point about a temporary and permanent allocation.

What point has he made that I haven't already established in my posts?

(01 Oct 2013, 10:00 pm)CatsFast101 wrote Debranding the 61 would be a stupid move, but not one which would impact anyone. A GNE representative also suggested 4 vehicles for the 61, when PVR Is 5. I was also wondering if the temporary allocation could be part of a marketing push by GNE? Maybe a new Drifter brand and a marketing push of the drifter services?

There have been discussions regarding the removal of the 61 from the "Drifter" brand and whether it will be reinstated as "Northern" or a new brand completely. Of course 8306-09 will be freed up when they are due for repaint soon, but the chances that they're going to go Northern is slim. I personally don't know what is happening with 8306-09 yet, just that they will remain at Deptford (whereas 8302-05 will go to CLS for 34/34A).
The temporary allocation is not a 'marketing push' at all - they'd opt for the "MetroLINK" approach if so. It was convenience to save a little bit of money and not go through with a 'pointless repaint'. If the 39 were to have received the Versas but they needed a repaint, there would have been an additional cost that the 39 would have had to bring back - a little silly, when customers can easily adapt to having the service as "SimpliCity". It's a rather appropriate brand for this service I feel, and it was one I suggested that the 39 went under quite a few months ago in the service suggestions thread.