(24 Feb 2024, 8:15 am)Dan wrote Be careful what you wish for, Storx.
Most functions which can be centralised already are - IT, Accounts Payable and similar are all shared services for the entire Group (based at Grey Street in Newcastle).
The devolved model with local accountability is one of the things which, in my view, sets Go-Ahead apart from its competitors. In theory it should allow better, more agile, decision-making.
Alas, Go-Ahead are currently in the process of rolling out a new centralised model called ‘The Go-Ahead Way’, which will standardise practices across all operating companies, including branding (as seen by the recent change of logo) and marketing.
Other areas such as route costings will also form part of this (so profitability of the network on an individual service-by-service basis will be reportable back to Group) and fleet will also be centralised, with investment predominantly at more profitable operating companies. This means that less profitable operating companies such as Go North East can look forward to receiving even more cascaded buses from other operating companies (both from London and the provinces).
It probably won’t be too long before there is one standardised livery for the entire Group, outside of London.
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Yeah wasn't saying I particularly wanted it tbh. Just surprised it was never done, a whole group fleet livery being another, mind if they did, I hope they at least go for the First modal where there's some local variants but it can be easily be swapped with changing vinyls or whatever rather than the Stagecoach and Arriva approach where one fit, fits all.
Obviously GoNorthEast is the completely opposite to Arriva and Stagecoach locally since it's a complete basketcase in the wider group in comparison to the other two where it's each one of their flagship areas pretty much. Happy to be corrected but I believe Stagecoach Newcastle is/or was second after Manchester which technically doesn't really exist anymore and Arriva NE / Yorkshire is top other than maybe Merseyside?
Just hope there's not similar reactions to the other two's respective basket case areas as places like Cheshire are pretty much gone now and Stagecoach East is pretty grim aswell.