A further sign that the takeover by Stagecoach is getting nearer
You would have thought they could have found a slightly bigger fleet name though? I believe this is the one which also now carries full Stagecoach Devon legal lettering
If you are Stagecoach you wouldn't want to be associated with First any more than you have to and and so the small letters make sense. Also I imagine once the new buses come they'll be plenty of shouting about it and very clear branding. Why associate yourself more than you have to with a failing brand.
First Plymouth has hardly ever been a success has it and a Park and Ride with 02 plate vehicles is also not exactly one to be proud of either (a coat of pink paint does not make a bus new). Plymouth P&R must have some of the oldest vehicles working a P&R in the country. I would suspect the Stagecoach service will be a significant upgrade...a bit like Gold vs X80 for example.
I was trying to get out of you what a 'failing brand' is in the context of First. I take it from the lack of a reply to my question you just wrote 'failing brand' without knowing what you meant?
First Bus is most definitely a failing brand. Manchester, Leeds and possibly Scotland excepted they are considered failing. The rail arm is slightly better but still hardly a glowing example. It was no surprise that there was no outcry when Stagecoach announced they were taking over First in Plymouth and even their emergency fleet buses will still be an upgrade. If Western Greyhound hadn't self destructed (almost like First Cornwall did) it would have been likely that the far west would finally have been rid of them. Buses of Somerset is a good try to turn around their failed brand in Taunton but that is failing rapidly too. There is a reason they are called Worst Bus and also a reason why they are trying such radical livery changes...they are desperate to shed they failed Barbie branding. I realise you don't agree here but the evidence speaks for itself. The Plymouth Fireworks and Greyhound debarcles sum up everything really.
i would of thought they would have repainted this one into there own livery? but i herd they are getting new buses next year for this 200 route so that could be why. also the fleet number i think is staying the same?
Its always been made clear SC are bringing in their own fleet to replace the First fleet apart from the P&R fleet which will remain ON LOAN untill early 2016 when new buses arrive. These buses will stay in First livery and then presumably depart to Cornwall
Understand that the deckers are heading to Cornwall (at least that's the current plans) but the B7Ls will head elsewhere - location TBC. As you say, they're on loan to Stagecoach til the new year
Its a little puzzling why Stagecoach want to put a (Small) Stagecoach fleet-name on a bus owned by a major competitor? The only people who are going to notice it are Enthusiasts or company staff - maybe it was part of the deal between the 2 operators?
But then it will be operated by Stagecoach rather than First for a short while at least. There are no First logos on the bus from what I can see, at least nothing that really stands out. These will still be used on P&R I assume so I can understand the SC names - just not sure why so small! At least down here in Plymouth, First is no longer a competitor for SC. When SC took over Chester and Wigan they had no worries about putting decent sized SC names on First liveried buses. They just made sure they all got replaced / repainted as quickly as poossible
will stagecoach have a travel shop will they use firsts old shop or somewhere else? well it would be handy for picking up timetables and general enquiries
Is this photo for real? This bus YG02DLJ was parked in Bretonside on Saturday afternoon (29th) and most definitely had First fleetnames and not Stagecoach. Had they changed it for some publicity pictures perhaps?
YES...the photo is for real. The photo was taken on 22nd August and if you were in Plymouth on that day and seen the bus for yourself, you would not be questioning it.
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If you are Stagecoach you wouldn't want to be associated with First any more than you have to and and so the small letters make sense. Also I imagine once the new buses come they'll be plenty of shouting about it and very clear branding. Why associate yourself more than you have to with a failing brand.
ReplyDeleteExplain 'failing brand' to us?
DeleteFirst Plymouth has hardly ever been a success has it and a Park and Ride with 02 plate vehicles is also not exactly one to be proud of either (a coat of pink paint does not make a bus new). Plymouth P&R must have some of the oldest vehicles working a P&R in the country. I would suspect the Stagecoach service will be a significant upgrade...a bit like Gold vs X80 for example.
DeleteI was trying to get out of you what a 'failing brand' is in the context of First. I take it from the lack of a reply to my question you just wrote 'failing brand' without knowing what you meant?
DeleteFirst Bus is most definitely a failing brand. Manchester, Leeds and possibly Scotland excepted they are considered failing. The rail arm is slightly better but still hardly a glowing example. It was no surprise that there was no outcry when Stagecoach announced they were taking over First in Plymouth and even their emergency fleet buses will still be an upgrade. If Western Greyhound hadn't self destructed (almost like First Cornwall did) it would have been likely that the far west would finally have been rid of them. Buses of Somerset is a good try to turn around their failed brand in Taunton but that is failing rapidly too. There is a reason they are called Worst Bus and also a reason why they are trying such radical livery changes...they are desperate to shed they failed Barbie branding. I realise you don't agree here but the evidence speaks for itself. The Plymouth Fireworks and Greyhound debarcles sum up everything really.
Deletea bit small the stage coach name
ReplyDeletei would of thought they would have repainted this one into there own livery? but i herd they are getting new buses next year for this 200 route so that could be why. also the fleet number i think is staying the same?
ReplyDeleteIts always been made clear SC are bringing in their own fleet to replace the First fleet apart from the P&R fleet which will remain ON LOAN untill early 2016 when new buses arrive. These buses will stay in First livery and then presumably depart to Cornwall
DeleteUnderstand that the deckers are heading to Cornwall (at least that's the current plans) but the B7Ls will head elsewhere - location TBC. As you say, they're on loan to Stagecoach til the new year
DeleteThere are actually 12 vehicles remaining on loan, not all of which are in Park and Ride livery.
ReplyDeleteIts a little puzzling why Stagecoach want to put a (Small) Stagecoach fleet-name on a bus owned by a major competitor?
ReplyDeleteThe only people who are going to notice it are Enthusiasts or company staff - maybe it was part of the deal between the 2 operators?
But then it will be operated by Stagecoach rather than First for a short while at least. There are no First logos on the bus from what I can see, at least nothing that really stands out. These will still be used on P&R I assume so I can understand the SC names - just not sure why so small! At least down here in Plymouth, First is no longer a competitor for SC. When SC took over Chester and Wigan they had no worries about putting decent sized SC names on First liveried buses. They just made sure they all got replaced / repainted as quickly as poossible
DeleteThe First logos on these buses were very small too, just not quite this small!
Deletewill stagecoach have a travel shop will they use firsts old shop or somewhere else? well it would be handy for picking up timetables and general enquiries
ReplyDeleteI dont see the fuss.These buses are on loan so no need to put large names.There is no First name .So long the legal owner is written.
ReplyDeleteIs this photo for real? This bus YG02DLJ was parked in Bretonside on Saturday afternoon (29th) and most definitely had First fleetnames and not Stagecoach. Had they changed it for some publicity pictures perhaps?
ReplyDeleteYES...the photo is for real.
DeleteThe photo was taken on 22nd August and if you were in Plymouth on that day and seen the bus for yourself, you would not be questioning it.