Diamond Bus North West

[Brickmill]

RE: Diamond Bus North West

(17/05/2019 10:01)dca529x Wrote:  I wouldn't describe red London buses as a tourist attraction/worldwide institution. That might have been the case when they had character and conductors, but those days are long gone. Tourists may 'expect' to see red buses, but it isn't the reason they come and it wouldn't put them off if they weren't red. There is a place for sentimentality and it can be used effectively, but not in mainstream operation. Passenger numbers in London are on a downward spiral. There needs to be a concerted effort to drive the numbers back up, with innovation and getting the bus noticed, drab insipid allover red just doesn't help. That of course should be the road TfGM are looking down if and when Burnham does his business grab. If its anything like the West Midlands who have copped out with a wannabee London red scheme then there isn't much hope. Returning to the thread, Diamond are at least smartening things up with a noticeable livery which I hope pays off for them.

It is believed London s downward spiral is short term due to extensive roadworks in recent years. Red London buses Still get far more respect than elsewhere. How many times do they needlessly add "Red London" to comparisons between the size or weight of other structures. If a building is 12 times the height of a double decker bus then it's irrelevant where the bus runs. As for Burnham's "business grab", you might find the current two tier captive market acceptable especially as last August s media release from Stagecoach made clear they would use EQPs to make things worse - as one of GMs hundreds of thousands of non motorists, I don't!