TfGM branded buses

[radamfi]

In London they do have the logos like the mockup above - its small. I think people are smart enough to understand its a service provided by a company.

Yes, it is more blatant in London than in Copenhagen. But operator branding is less obvious compared to the 80s/90s when private operators used the full livery. Nowadays, Londoners probably know that their buses are run by private companies on behalf of TfL, but they don't necessarily know which one. They don't need to know. In the event of GM franchising, it would be up to the authority to decide what kind of operator branding is allowed. They could ban logos altogether if they wanted.

 

[nidave]

Yes, it is more blatant in London than in Copenhagen. But operator branding is less obvious compared to the 80s/90s when private operators used the full livery. Nowadays, Londoners probably know that their buses are run by private companies on behalf of TfL, but they don't necessarily know which one. They don't need to know. In the event of GM franchising, it would be up to the authority to decide what kind of operator branding is allowed. They could ban logos altogether if they wanted.

I dont have an issue with an operator logo - I am a big fan of branding so that might have something to do with it.

 

[radamfi]

There seems to be not so much scepticism whether franchising in GM will actually happen and I'm surprised the old arguments about compensation of incumbent operators haven't surfaced yet, unless I've missed them.

I can't see Arriva liking that mock-up as the 263 is currently an Arriva Sapphire route where all those suggested benefits already exist. Whoever did that obviously doesn't see windows as being for the benefit of passengers and it's not even as though it's blocking out the windows to get revenue from advertising. Plus there has to be a side destination display to meet accessibility requirements - putting the usual route on the livery isn't enough.

Whether Arriva like it or not would be immaterial in the event of franchising. It may not even be run by Arriva in such a scenario. The route may not even exist in the current form.

I agree with you regarding advertising on the windows. I greatly dislike it.

 

[Bungle965]

I think there's two further issues with TfGM specifying yellow:
1. Merseytravel branding is yellow and I imagine some bus routes will run between GM and Merseyside. (TfGM went for black and white branding when they got rid of the GMPTE name.)
2. If someone catches a yellow bus with a First logo followed by a yellow Metrolink tram they may get the impression First operate Metrolink services.
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A number of operators have used predominately yellow buses on public services in GM since yellow school school buses were introduced - Cumfybus, South Lancs Travel, JPT and possibly others as well.
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Question is perhaps what happens if you travel across the county border using the same operator (possibly involving a change of bus.) Will you be forced to buy multiple tickets instead of a regional day/week ticket for the operator you travel with?

As a side note JPT were bought out well over a year ago by stagecoach who now operate all of their routes.
But i understand your point
Sam

 

[northwichcat]

As a side note JPT were bought out well over a year ago by stagecoach who now operate all of their routes.
But i understand your point
Sam

JPT and South Lancs Travel both don't still exist (SLT are now Diamond Bus North West) but my point was they were both using yellow buses on normal services after designated yellow school buses had been introduced.
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Whether Arriva like it or not would be immaterial in the event of franchising. It may not even be run by Arriva in such a scenario. The route may not even exist in the current form.

I agree Arriva might not continue to run it but then I doubt any official TfGM mockup would show both operator name and a route they don't run, unless the mockup is unveiled after the franchises have been awarded.

Out of curiosity who came up with the Vantage name and branding for Leigh Busway? If it was TfGM could that be a hint as to how they think buses should be branded?

 

[martin2345uk]

How likely is it that any of this TfGM-controlled bus stuff will actually happen in Manchester..? And if it did, what timescales might we be looking at?

 

[northwichcat]

How likely is it that any of this TfGM-controlled bus stuff will actually happen in Manchester..? And if it did, what timescales might we be looking at?

It has to be an elected Mayor of Greater Manchester who gives the scheme the green light. He/she won't be elected until May 2017.

 

[Bungle965]

JPT and South Lancs Travel both don't still exist (SLT are now Diamond Bus North West) but my point was they were both using yellow buses on normal services after designated yellow school buses had been introduced.
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I agree Arriva might not continue to run it but then I doubt any official TfGM mockup would show both operator name and a route they don't run, unless the mockup is unveiled after the franchises have been awarded.

Out of curiosity who came up with the Vantage name and branding for Leigh Busway? If it was TfGM could that be a hint as to how they think buses should be branded?

I think it was First who asked another company to come up with the name and logo.
Sam

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

There seems to be not so much scepticism whether franchising in GM will actually happen and I'm surprised the old arguments about compensation of incumbent operators haven't surfaced yet, unless I've missed them.

It's been discussed to death - usual pattern is

• I disagree with it
• You disagree with me
• Arctic Troll mentions Stagecoach Newcastle and hatred of Brian Souter
• Neil mentions MK, and the design of German bus stops

Then repeat for nine pages/two weeks whichever is longer

The views haven't changed, nor have the issues, so unless anyone has some sort of conversion on the road to Damascus, seems pointless in resurrecting it.

So..... Bendibuses in London - good idea? And should we have invested in NB4L..... (ad nauseum)

 

[WatcherZero]

Out of curiosity who came up with the Vantage name and branding for Leigh Busway? If it was TfGM could that be a hint as to how they think buses should be branded?

The bidders had to come up with the branding but I believe the local authorities are entitled to retain it at the end of the contract. It had to be a neutral branding (i.e. minimal corporate presence) First only have their roundel on the front below the windscreen and their website address on the back.


As to when it could come in, the Bill is expected to pass early 2017, requires a combined authority Mayor to prepare a business and social justification (already done by GM) and engage in a democratic consultation. The Government guidance says they expect the first one could be operational 2018/19.