(21 Sep 2025, 6:55 pm)Storx wrote Doesn't really benefit anyone having area brands imo, it's why I always hated stuff like the Black Cats, Little Pinks, Peterlee Purples and X Lines as there's multiple routes under them. 

Brands should replace route numbers for people, if there's more than 1 and you need to look at the route number anyway, it defeats the point imo. Trent Barton are probably the best for brands imo as they do that, see: https://bustimes.org/operators/trent-barton

The early GoNorthEast routes did aswell; Route 19, Cobalt Clipper (309 Only), Coaster, Laser, Drifter, Angel, Prince Bishop, Red Arrows, Tyne Tees Express, Crusader, Fab 56/57 (Same corridor) etc. Then it spiralled out of control imo.

What Trent Barton do is make sure the inside of the bus matches the outside. So customer expectations are not dashed.

This is part of the reason it works so well for them (I've heard customers first hand in Derby Bus Station asking when is the next Indigo or Red Arrow bus, rather than next bus to Nottingham.

Meanwhile, Durham Diamond customers see a bright blue bus on the outside and  worn out ex London dross with red seats on the inside.