(16 Jul 2023, 2:17 pm)Drifter60 wrote I get what you’re saying, and you are correct. The orbit brand has a clear connotation of a circular route/routes. But that’s because we’ve always known it as such. As I say, if it does happen it’s not because the brand fit’s brilliantly, it’s a case of the cheapest way to do it. Repainting 11 buses into a new brand which would need designing or corporate colours, when there’s a brand there that will be surplus to requirements soon and it means these new commercial routes can sit under 1 ready-made brand which can be promoted on their socials etc.
East Durham Explorer doesn’t fit the 61 that well either, it was clearly an attempt to market leisure and tourism opportunities at either terminus of the 65, Seaham and Durham. Now it’s on the 61 and there’s only Dalton Park you’d possibly want to ‘explore’, there’s not exactly much in Peterlee, Murton or South Hetton!
Again it's showing how the decisions made under previous management are hampering the company now.
Realistically, a 'North Tyneside Orbit' brand doesn't fit with what majority of people would see an orbit as being, or have any sort of local connection at all. The most logical solution would be to simply paint them into a corporate livery and be done with it, which would offer greater operational flexibility.