(15 Dec 2013, 10:02 pm)Dan wrote United was changed to Arriva
Northern was changed to Go North East
Busways was changed to Stagecoach in xxxx
It has happened with each of the big three... You don't see Stagecoach making a big thing about its former roots (Busways), and very rarely do you see Arriva making a big thing of their former roots. Of course Arriva have two branded vehicles, but they too have moved away from their original brand.
I think it is time for GNE to move on too. Properly this time, making a good effort to prove how good Go North East is rather than Northern. It's a fresh start.
I'm not going to split hairs or go into details, but everyone will be aware of the differences between GNE, Stagecoach and Arriva, particularly when the latter two have a uniform brand across the UK, whilst each part of the Go-ahead Group has its own regional identity (including historic identities).
What I will say, is that GNE in whatever guise/s it decides to use across 2014, needs to be established and established over a period of time.
It needs to stick with an identity that passengers can understand and relate to (8319?), rather than changing its self, like a confused teenager trying to fit in with the cool kids at school.
One of the points raised in that article, was about a brand being unique and one which can be recognised.
Time for the company to do just that.