(10 Sep 2018, 10:48 am)markydh wrote Why are other divisions continually creating new brands, yet the North East is getting rid of them? I thought it was national policy not to have them, now?
I would think there are a number of reasons. For instance, the North East market is probably similar to (Greater) Manchester; bus users use buses because they can't access any other form of transport. Branding is pointless because people just want punctual and affordable buses to get to work, medical appointments and the shops. Also, they are fighting a losing battle (or actually they *aren't* fighting it) against the local media who think that no matter how a bus is adorned it is the primary cause of pollution in cities and the people who travel on them don't actually exist.
Additionally, branding has been drastically diluted by buses not being allocated to the correct routes. Understandable at peak times, but not at weekends. The penny seems to be dropping at Stagecoach Manchester as the buses branded for the 76 are now being repainted into standard livery - with adverts hastily added in the case of 10044 at least.