Would the Virgin brand help the next West Coast operator?

[Agent_Squash]

Now Stagecoach is out of the bidding, it seems near certain that the Virgin brand is going to disappear from the West Coast and the UK. But considering the amount of brand loyalty that seems to be attracted by them, would it be a worthwhile financial decision for the WCP operator to licence the brand?

 

[Aictos]

Now Stagecoach is out of the bidding, it seems near certain that the Virgin brand is going to disappear from the West Coast and the UK. But considering the amount of brand loyalty that seems to be attracted by them, would it be a worthwhile financial decision for the WCP operator to licence the brand?

Most people wouldn't notice the difference so I don't see much point in the brand being licensed to be used by the new operator eg most people seem think that Cross Country is operated by Virgin Trains despite being operated by Arriva since 2007 and thanks to the Virgin brand being used on the East Coast most people used to tweet the West Coast IC Operator rather then the East Coast IC Operator when Virgin Trains used to operate on the ECML.

There is nothing stopping Virgin from working with a Open Access Operator and allowing them to use the branding as that is what they are doing stateside with Virgin Trains USA.

 

[Bletchleyite]

Now Stagecoach is out of the bidding, it seems near certain that the Virgin brand is going to disappear from the West Coast and the UK. But considering the amount of brand loyalty that seems to be attracted by them, would it be a worthwhile financial decision for the WCP operator to licence the brand?

Only if they deliver to the standards of the present VTWC. VTEC seemed to be tarnishing the brand somewhat due to a much more penny-pinching Stagecoach style approach.

 

[Journeyman]

Now Stagecoach is out of the bidding, it seems near certain that the Virgin brand is going to disappear from the West Coast and the UK. But considering the amount of brand loyalty that seems to be attracted by them, would it be a worthwhile financial decision for the WCP operator to licence the brand?

I don't think it will make a huge amount of difference. It's not like they have much competition, and in the short term not much will change anyway.

I sincerely hope the talking toilets and all the other tacky nonsense will vanish immediately, though.

 

[47271]

This did occur to me when it all blew up on Wednesday.

If it's worth that much to the route after 22 years, or so we're told, and the existing Stagecoach partnership is disqualified, what's to stop Virgin licensing the brand to the new operator?

It isn't like they've been too choosy about some of the outfits they've licensed in other industries.

Stranger things have happened.

 

[The_Train]

The reality is that most people don't care what name is on the side of a train as long as it's affordable, comfortable and punctual. If Virgin disappear, they will soon be forgotten as a train operator and the railway world will go on

 

[Aictos]

The reality is that most people don't care what name is on the side of a train as long as it's affordable, comfortable and punctual. If Virgin disappear, they will soon be forgotten as a train operator and the railway world will go on

However you're talking about the same people who believe the tripe from Virgin Trains fans that when First was posed to takeover WCML IC services that Virgin would take the Class 390s with them and First would operate Pacers instead...

 

[Agent_Squash]

I sincerely hope the talking toilets and all the other tacky nonsense will vanish immediately, though.

Talking toilets are ‘interesting’ for sure - the brand is being damaged by the tacky stuff for sure!

it's affordable, comfortable and punctual

Have you seen some of the Virgin anytime fares? There’s a clear price divide on the West Coast that isn’t present on other mainlines due to LNWR - there’s some need for slick PR to attract them to the more expensive service.

 

[pdeaves]

what's to stop Virgin licensing the brand to the new operator?

Theoretically nothing, but a trading name might be specified in the contract. If so, then the best you would get might be something like "London Midland & Scottish Railway provided by Virgin Trains", which I think would not be 'proper' licenced use.

 

[yorkie]

However you're talking about the same people who believe the tripe from Virgin Trains fans that when First was posed to takeover WCML IC services that Virgin would take the Class 390s with them and First would operate Pacers instead...

Did anyone actually say that?!

 

[Aictos]

Did anyone actually say that?!

It was discussed on here numerous times in 2012 with posts discussing the spin at the time which claimed that once Virgin Trains had lost the West Coast Mainline franchise that they would takeaway the Class 390s and First would use HSTs and Pacers to replace them.

Such as various social media sites such as https://www.facebook.com/ReinstateVirginTrainsWestCoast etc

Note at no time did Virgin Trains actually correct their misguided followers and actually seem to have encouraged the spin.

 

[yorkie]

It was discussed on here numerous times in 2012 with posts discussing the spin at the time which claimed that once Virgin Trains had lost the West Coast Mainline franchise that they would takeaway the Class 390s and First would use HSTs and Pacers to replace them.

Such as various social media sites such as https://www.facebook.com/ReinstateVirginTrainsWestCoast etc

Note at no time did Virgin Trains actually correct their misguided followers and actually seem to have encouraged the spin.

So which people actually said this? Surely only a tiny number, and I can't believe any member of this forum would have said it. I don't get what point you're trying to make.

 

[pdeaves]

So which people actually said this? Surely only a tiny number, and I can't believe any member of this forum would have said it. I don't get what point you're trying to make.

The point is that you said people don't care what name is carried on the train, and Aictos countered by pointing out that some people care(d) very much, albeit in a misguided way.
I think.

 

[richw]

most people seem think that Cross Country is operated by Virgin Trains despite being operated by Arriva since 2007

But is that because the brand name is so instantly recognised? I can’t think of any other franchise that is so openly referred to as the former incumbent that’s been gone so long!

 

[yorkie]

The point is that you said people don't care what name is carried on the train, and Aictos countered by pointing out that some people care(d) very much, albeit in a misguided way.
I think.

I didn't give a view on it But I personally think most passengers won't care. Some will be disappointed to see Virgin lose the franchise, while some will actually be pleased!