(28 Dec 2020, 4:10 pm)L469 YVK wrote But the corney marketing has worked wonders for GNE & Transdev.

The 308 is not an express. Yes if they decided to run a parallel X38 to the 308 but "X" and premium all stopping services should get a distinct identity.

For Blyth, a decent spare vehicle ratio would be a good start.

X15/X16/X18 yes but I'd keep the X14 a separate sub brand.

X20 I'd 100% brand too. I'd even go as far as cannibalising the Ashington - Newbiggin section of the X21 to hourly and introducing a sister X19 service to the X20. A half hourly fast service between Ashington and Newcastle with clean, comfy and reliable buses would be something to shout from the rooftops.

Arriva need to lose the dreary image and make their core services really stand out. Make an effort to stand out and show that bus travel is the way forward.

They've got a good set of routes at hand but going forward, Arriva need to be shouting from the rooftops and really selling themselves.

tbf Blyth has a ridiculous number of spares. Technically the allocation should be

X7/X8/X9: 1493, 1500 - 1505, 7601 - 7608
X10/X11: 7611 - 7617, 7621 - 7625
308: 7628 - 7635
Spares: 7620, 7636 - 7637, 7410 - 7411 (All Max / 308), 1497, 7490, 7609 - 7610, 1402 - 1403 (Non Max/ P&R).

If you ever see them allocated like that though then put the lottery on though as it's more likely lmao.

Corney brands are dying you just have to look at X Lines as someone mentioned and also VTEC -> LNER and VTWC -> Avanti who both stripped it immediately and it failed massively on the East Coast from East Coast Trains which in general were liked.

You also have to remember GNE are the least profitable the north east and are the ones who consistantly doing the most cuts to services (long before Covid). It probably shows they're not as great behind the scenes as you think.

Also just quickly read your second post. The X7/X8/X9 all interwork now so they'd have to be one brand and they all swap around anyway so it's pointless (they're not even attempting allocations lately tbh).

Could be worse, could be Ashington that has 3 Solos and all 3 are off the road and 1580 aswell.