(20 Feb 2020, 3:41 pm)stagecoachbusdepot wrote There's no doubt the Stagecoach route branding is incredibly dull though I believe it was stated that this was due to the impending launch of the (insipid) new livery.
That aside, the features are advertised on the sides and rear of the buses, and on board leaflets. I guess whether one livery or brand looks better than another is always highly subjective. There was also a central Newcastle launch, which arguably did more to promote awareness in terms of passing footfall on Northumberland Street, than the X30 launch would have enjoyed at Tanfield Railway.
Slightly unpopular, but I actually don't mind the new Stagecoach livery. It's simple, using easy on the eye colours and you're left in no doubt as to who the operator is.
If you're standing in a bus stop, there's a huge Stagecoach logo on the front so passengers will be confident that they're getting on the correct bus. Remember also that for lots of people who live in places with multiple operators they may not be sure which company runs which route - or be told that they need to get the "insert operator name here" bus.
If you look at the logos of Netflix, Google, airbnb, Deliveroo, Pepsi as some examples, you'll notice a move to a more simplistic, cleaner looking logo. More and more nowadays people associate minimalism with modern, forward facing companies.
Further, the colours used internally on the new vehicles look and feel modern and up to date. Grey is a very neutral colour, and paired with a reasonably unoffensive blue it works well to create a calm interior. Contrast that with red, for example, which makes people feel more emotional - obvious upsides but also connotations of anger, something you don't want on a bus.