First Somerset relaunched as "The buses in Somerset"

[Liverpool Street]

I wonder what their 'Hybrid' livery will be...

[mikestone]

Yet another firm showing NX how to do a livery  :P
'

;
Or another case of bulls**t baffling brains?
;

and  a free reign  to grow the operations with a blank canvas, hence getting Best Impressions in to re-brand Taunton & Bridgewater

and use an unlimited amount of management speak?

[tank90]

Yet another firm showing NX how to do a livery  :P
'

;
Or another case of bulls**t baffling brains?
;

and  a free reign  to grow the operations with a blank canvas, hence getting Best Impressions in to re-brand Taunton & Bridgewater

and use an unlimited amount of management speak?

Or First looking at what passenagers have said or done when they have left areas, ie Kidderminster where a change of name has done passenager numbers well.

The main point is to the man in the street or woman on the street its not a First bus any more, it's a Somerset bus so no more First in there eyes. It's playing woth people in effect, those who ran from a First Bus will come back and those who used First will stay increasing the coffers for First.

I say good on First for trying it as it may make them a shed of money.

[richie]

I would say this has been done to make a more attractive disposal. It is certainly a more attractive purchase in its new form.

[StourportSam]

First looking at what passenagers have said or done when they have left areas, ie Kidderminster where a change of name has done passenager numbers well

Although now the brand has lost its novelty value passengers are moaning about Diamond, many are being put off by the smaller buses.

[tank90]

First looking at what passenagers have said or done when they have left areas, ie Kidderminster where a change of name has done passenager numbers well

Although now the brand has lost its novelty value passengers are moaning about Diamond, many are being put off by the smaller buses.

That was always the risk that Diamond had tho.

[Justin Tyme]

I would say this has been done to make a more attractive disposal. It is certainly a more attractive purchase in its new form.

I doubt if it has been done to make it more saleable.  First must have spent alot of money on this "full Stenning" rebrand - and don't forget that many new owners bring in a new brand anyway (e.g. Rotala with Diamond).

As Winston said a few days ago, the new South West MD has been doing alot of revitalising in his territory, and this looks like a big go (perhaps an experiment) at going local.

[DD12]

I would say this has been done to make a more attractive disposal. It is certainly a more attractive purchase in its new form.

I doubt if it has been done to make it more saleable.  First must have spent alot of money on this "full Stenning" rebrand - and don't forget that many new owners bring in a new brand anyway (e.g. Rotala with Diamond).

As Winston said a few days ago, the new South West MD has been doing alot of revitalising in his territory, and this looks like a big go (perhaps an experiment) at going local.

I think it may "work both ways".
If First have an operation that they would like to sell but cannot, they can allow a new MD a blank canvas and a little bit of money to rebuild it up to the point where it IS saleable.
If I was in charge of First, I would want managers who were capable of this.

The alternative is (ultimately) abandoning and closing some more operations.

[John]

An ex-London President in the new livery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220905923/

A lot better than the old First Barbie livery

[winston]

An ex-London President in the new livery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220905923/

A lot better than the old First Barbie livery

But look what the main competition is operating:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220762213/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220736063/in/photostream/

[Tony]

An ex-London President in the new livery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220905923/

A lot better than the old First Barbie livery

But look what the main competition is operating:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220762213/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220736063/in/photostream/

And it doesn't look like that part of First will get much of this years orders either

[Liverpool Street]

An ex-London President in the new livery
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220905923/

A lot better than the old First Barbie livery

But look what the main competition is operating:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220762213/in/photostream/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/benbeaver95/12220736063/in/photostream/

That's an odd livery. White on the dirty parts? Still nice though.

[Tony]

Whoooops
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-26373967

[Liverpool Street]

Whoooops
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-26373967

That's no way to park a decker.

[the trainbasher]

Whoooops
http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-somerset-26373967

That's no way to park a decker.

And then a Civil Enforcement Officer booked him... :-)