How is this First livery permitted?

[northwichcat]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:First_Manchester_37430_MX58DZC_-_Flickr_-_Alan_Sansbury.jpg

I understand that they are replicating the livery of the historic Atherton based company Lancashire United. However, given Lancashire United now is a trading name of Transdev, how can First Greater Manchester get away with using it on their buses?

 

[RT4038]

Possibly by agreement with Transdev?

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:First_Manchester_37430_MX58DZC_-_Flickr_-_Alan_Sansbury.jpg

I understand that they are replicating the livery of the historic Atherton based company Lancashire United. However, given Lancashire United now is a trading name of Transdev, how can First Greater Manchester get away with using it on their buses?

Pretty certain that it will be with Transdev agreement and really, is there a chance that this is viewed as "passing off"?

If it was to be used with a number of vehicles in an area with the potential to cause confusion, I guess Transdev would be making an issue.

 

[34D]

I spoke to one of the preservationists who are working with First to get the west yorkshire heritage repaints sorted, and First have apparently stated that they can't do Halifax as it's passing off as a competitor (Halifax Joint Committee).

 

[KendalKing]

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/File:First_Manchester_37430_MX58DZC_-_Flickr_-_Alan_Sansbury.jpg

I understand that they are replicating the livery of the historic Atherton based company Lancashire United. However, given Lancashire United now is a trading name of Transdev, how can First Greater Manchester get away with using it on their buses?

I personally, don't have a problem with First or any other companies, painting buses into Heritage Liveries. As this gives an insight into what might of been like, if the local authorities had continue to run local bus services.

The bus concern (and it is, only the one bus), carries the old Lancashire United, (which was based in Atherton), livery of Red & Grey. The new Lancashire United (which is based at Blackburn) livery is Blue & Yellow.

 

[pdsalford]

But is it reasonable to expect bus passengers to know the difference? That bus runs on the 25 route and at least one person has told me that First no longer operate that route as a result of the livery.

A sign in the front Window indicating that the route is run by First would have been a good idea.

 

[talltim]

I have to say, as one uninitiated in historic bus liveries, that just looks at first glance like a red bus with a blank advertising panel...

 

[richw]

But is it reasonable to expect bus passengers to know the difference? That bus runs on the 25 route and at least one person has told me that First no longer operate that route as a result of the livery.

A sign in the front Window indicating that the route is run by First would have been a good idea.

Above the door where they enter the bus it has FirstGreaterManchester. Is that not a give away along with the big F on the front?

 

[northwichcat]

But is it reasonable to expect bus passengers to know the difference? That bus runs on the 25 route and at least one person has told me that First no longer operate that route as a result of the livery.

A sign in the front Window indicating that the route is run by First would have been a good idea.

I think it's one thing with an operator using different brands e.g. High Peak using Skyline on their Manchester Airport route or Stagecoach using Magic Bus on certain routes. If you search for 'Skyline' or 'Magic Bus' on the web you'll be able to get hold of the correct timetables and contact details for the operator. Searching for 'Lancashire United' will get you a different company.

Lancashire United did used to use a black and red livery on 'Lancashire Way' buses used on their Manchester-Blackburn route but I think they've changed to a blue and yellow livery fairly recently.

 

[Titfield]

The O Disc in the windscreen shows the legal entity operating the bus.

The Operators name and address will be shown on the nearside of the vehicle.

These are both legal requirements.

Whether or not these are large enough for a member of the public to be able to see at a glance is I venture to suggest extremely unlikely.

 

[northwichcat]

I have to say, as one uninitiated in historic bus liveries, that just looks at first glance like a red bus with a blank advertising panel...

Here's a picture of an original Lancashire United bus in the livery First are imitating: http://www.britishmodelbuses.com/Re...ages/GM Fleetline_Lancashire United_Large.jpg

If they wanted a more historic version of a Lancashire United livery then this is what they should have tried to imitate:
http://bus-and-coach-photos.com.s3.amazonaws.com/6515.jpg

Maybe even put a conductor on the bus as well?