(10 Jun 2014, 2:02 pm)Dan wrote Of course they won't know the model of the bus, but they will be able to differentiate between a heavy weight bus and a light weight bus on the simple basis of one being more comfortable and having less rattles - their passenger experience is massively enhanced by having heavy weight vehicles.

Although I don't think passengers will be able to recognise a bus as a Mercedes, Go North East and other operators have marketed bus services in the past by including 'Take the Mercedes' and such, as Mercedes is obviously somewhat iconic for being a more upmarket brand, as well as providing superior quality and comfort to other manufacturers.

I disagree. Like I've said I'm not disputing the investment, cost, etc, but the only thing your average customer is going to differentiate between buses is the length and height of the bus. Comparing say a Citaro and full size Versa, and you'll get the same answer - they're two buses. More recently though, I admit people tend to refer to brands or colours...

The take the Merc tagline is a good example, and is exactly the point I was making about anything being a perk if the correct spin is put on it. If the same bus was designed and engined by Scania to the same design and specification, you wouldn't see that played upon, as there's little recognition outside the commercial vehicle world. You wouldn't put "take the volvo" for the B9TL's either, seeing as they have a reputation of being an old man's estate car, with plenty of room for golf clubs and dogs in the boot.