For me as much as I love Branding I do think now that it has past it time as I feel it is starting to lack creativity and thought, Look at the New Drifter Brand, apparently it's going to be pretty much the same as the Coaster Brand.

I will give GNE credit where credit is due as they have tried to change the style of Branding to a Simplistic but Effective one on the Tynedale Xpress for example which similar to Trent Bartons Liveries. I think GNE should go for change now and make the "Gold Standard" a Corporate Livery, the Infrastructure is already in place and they have the Buses/Routes under Gold Standard but without the Identity as it is Covered up.

I think it could be a Major Benefit if GNE were to Capitalize on it more, plus they could make Major Saving in the long run on Repaints, Yeah at First they'd have to Repaint the Fleet which would take time and cost a lot of Money and would take a Year or 2 maybe more to fully Implement. But after that they'd be Saving Money. Lothian Buses are a excellent Example when it comes to a Repainting Program as they've been doing there's for a good few years now.

Also by Capitalizing on the Gold Standard more I think it would also allow for GNE to Branch out more in areas such as Bishop Auckland/Darlington where they were Unsuccessful with the OK1, If they were offer Passengers in that Area a better Deal and Buses and also Services to that of what Arriva are offering with Sapphire which starts this Sunday on Service 7 Durham - Darlington, would the OK1 if GNE had did what I am proposing over a Year ago been more Successful than what it was?

So if GNE were to Implement "Gold Standard" as a Corporate Livery from 2014, The following Services would fall under "Gold Standard".

Angel 21
Blaydon Racers 49/49A/49B/49C
Citylink 58
Coaster 1
Cobalt Clipper 309/310
Cobalt Connect 19
Connections 4
Crusader 27
Drifter 60
Diamond 43/44
FAB 56
Laser 35/35A/35B/35C
Lambton Worm 34/34A
Pronto X21
Quaylink Q1/Q2
Red Arrows X1
Red Kite 45/46
Saltwell Park 53/54
Silver Arrows 2A/2C
Simplicity 39 TBC/42
South Tyne 88/88A
Sunderland Connect 700
Ten
Tyne Tees Xpress X9/X10
Whey Aye 50
X66

Now here is where we have Major Probelm, There is way too many Routes that fall under "Gold Standard", and what GNE would need is an Equal Balance between this and the Northern Brand. A few of the Brands on the list above as already discussed would be taken off as they'd be the Select few Brands we as Enthusiasts would keep.