Branded B6...

[nx4737]

Noted a reprinted B6 in Tamworth this morning in full inter urban livery with red route branding for the 6 "Tamworth Explorer"

[andy]

Noted a reprinted B6 in Tamworth this morning in full inter urban livery with red route branding for the 6 "Tamworth Explorer"

Surely this means the 6 will be more than the Ventura Park Circular in future then? As I would hardly call it much of an exploration at the moment!

[nx4737]

Noted a reprinted B6 in Tamworth this morning in full inter urban livery with red route branding for the 6 "Tamworth Explorer"

Surely this means the 6 will be more than the Ventura Park Circular in future then? As I would hardly call it much of an exploration at the moment!

You'd think so! I didn't get a close look at it, I saw it pass Corporation Street as I was waiting for a 765...

[andy]

Noted a reprinted B6 in Tamworth this morning in full inter urban livery with red route branding for the 6 "Tamworth Explorer"

Surely this means the 6 will be more than the Ventura Park Circular in future then? As I would hardly call it much of an exploration at the moment!

You'd think so! I didn't get a close look at it, I saw it pass Corporation Street as I was waiting for a 765...

Sounds to me like a network review is imminent, much needed aswell. The locals, barring Coton Green, haven't been overhauled for over 20 years and Tamworth town centre isn't really as relevant as it used to be anymore. I wondered why the new Mercs hadn't been branded and thought it might be because things were changing.

[nx4737]

Noted a reprinted B6 in Tamworth this morning in full inter urban livery with red route branding for the 6 "Tamworth Explorer"

Surely this means the 6 will be more than the Ventura Park Circular in future then? As I would hardly call it much of an exploration at the moment!

Sounds to me like a network review is imminent, much needed aswell. The locals, barring Coton Green, haven't been overhauled for over 20 years and Tamworth town centre isn't really as relevant as it used to be anymore. I wondered why the new Mercs hadn't been branded and thought it might be because things were changing.

You'd think so! I didn't get a close look at it, I saw it pass Corporation Street as I was waiting for a 765...

Quite possibly, I could suggest a few things...

Who'd carry it out, Arriva or SCC?

[andy]

Noted a reprinted B6 in Tamworth this morning in full inter urban livery with red route branding for the 6 "Tamworth Explorer"

Surely this means the 6 will be more than the Ventura Park Circular in future then? As I would hardly call it much of an exploration at the moment!

Sounds to me like a network review is imminent, much needed aswell. The locals, barring Coton Green, haven't been overhauled for over 20 years and Tamworth town centre isn't really as relevant as it used to be anymore. I wondered why the new Mercs hadn't been branded and thought it might be because things were changing.

You'd think so! I didn't get a close look at it, I saw it pass Corporation Street as I was waiting for a 765...

Quite possibly, I could suggest a few things...

Who'd carry it out, Arriva or SCC?

Mainly Arriva, SCC don't much get involved in network design as much as say Telford and Wrekin do.

I have a few ideas myself.

[nx4737]

Noted a reprinted B6 in Tamworth this morning in full inter urban livery with red route branding for the 6 "Tamworth Explorer"

Surely this means the 6 will be more than the Ventura Park Circular in future then? As I would hardly call it much of an exploration at the moment!

Sounds to me like a network review is imminent, much needed aswell. The locals, barring Coton Green, haven't been overhauled for over 20 years and Tamworth town centre isn't really as relevant as it used to be anymore. I wondered why the new Mercs hadn't been branded and thought it might be because things were changing.

You'd think so! I didn't get a close look at it, I saw it pass Corporation Street as I was waiting for a 765...

Quite possibly, I could suggest a few things...

Who'd carry it out, Arriva or SCC?

Mainly Arriva, SCC don't much get involved in network design as much as say Telford and Wrekin do.

I have a few ideas myself.

I think my main suggestion would be to alter the 110, the Tamworth - Sutton needs something doing to it, that seems to be where it looses most of its time...

It'll be interesting to see if or what Arriva come up with...

[derningtona]

The branded B6 is 2613. It's on today. I think it explores as much of Tamworth as is worth exploring! It is probably something to do with the Staffordshire subsidy which started after Arriva withdrew the route. It is now more extensive than it used to be.  Maybe there will be a "Hospital Hopper" next for the little-used 780 which is also subsidised!!

[nx4737]

I don't agree with the 6 being subsidized at all, I'm not sure what the loadings are like now but when Arriva ran it commercially it seemed to have fairly good loads when I used it.

[andy]

I don't agree with the 6 being subsidized at all, I'm not sure what the loadings are like now but when Arriva ran it commercially it seemed to have fairly good loads when I used it.

It is subsidised because Arriva spat their dummy when Staffs CC implemented the disastrous traffic light system at Ventura, causing what should be a 15 minute round trip to become a 45 minute one, so they said to Hell with it and deregistered, causing Staffs CC to have the embarrassing prospect of one of the busiest shopping centres in the county having no regular bus service.

[nx4737]

Noticed today the Mercs seem to be getting Advert frames... so I can't imagine them receiving any branding now!

[John]

I don't think anyone else has a picture of 2613, here it is today. Note the branding is different on the offside to the nearside.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/john-s-91/8406229630/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/john-s-91/8405157985/

[nx4737]

I don't think anyone else has a picture of 2613, here it is today. Note the branding is different on the offside to the nearside.


http://www.flickr.com/photos/john-s-91/8406229630/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/john-s-91/8405157985/

I have a photo, but it's not the best...

Thanks for the photos, I've seen this so many times and never noticed the different branding!

[andy]

People may or may not have noticed that I have been highly critical of NXWM's dreadful attempts at branding. In the interests of balance, I have to say that whilst I have generally been more impressed by the visually tidy and modern schemes that Arriva have used recently, this treatment of 2613 is absolutely shocking.

[nx4737]

It does look a bit naff doesn't it.