(27 Jun 2021, 11:08 am)citaro5284 wrote Damage to their reputation - really

Maybe in the eyes of a few bus enthusiasts in the North East who do not like their style, but to the companies that are using them (and more and more from what I can see), I cannot see their reputation damaged  in any way if I am honest.

If - and it's a big if, passengers are more clued up than operators give them credit for and they start to question identikit identies or unusual brand-names?
Maybe it's not just a handful of enthusiasts in the NE who see through all of those things.

Or, passengers are a little less clued up than operators give them credit for, see a bus in another area and assume that the identikit liveries indicate that they're all the same company?

There's mention of internationally recognised brands in other parts of the conversation. People recognise Microsoft and Apple. They know they're different because logos, branding and everything else says so.

You also say that companies are using them more and more. Does that mean the designs and liveries are good or that nepotism and cronyism is alive and kicking? 
Nepotism and cronyism aren't good traits to have.
Just look at the tory government for that...