(10 Aug 2022, 2:38 pm)F114TML wrote Here's a thing I noticed while on the 61 this morning.One thing to consider is the fact that the 61 runs via Park Road, Burdon Road, Holmeside etc to reach Park Lane Interchange from Murton on most journeys whereas the 60 goes straight up Stockton Road to enter Park Lane Interchange.
I was on a Violet Citaro, closely followed by a Blonde solo on the 60 (I later saw it on the X6). I noticed passengers would stick their hand out for the significantly busier 60, rather than the 61 which runs exactly the same route. There can't be that many people on a morning returning to Sunderland on a return ticket, surely (that's even assuming a return on that section is only valid on the 60)? Did they go for the 60 because the 60 is branded, despite it being an off-brand bus? Are they passing the Citaro because they don't like them for one reason or another?
It seemed very odd.
RE: Branding - Stay or go?