Platinum

[The Fox 4846]

I think it was a bit of a waste to paint it in that livery then suddenly change it back within 2 days.

[winston]

I think it was a bit of a waste to paint it in that livery then suddenly change it back within 2 days.

It was painted specifically for yesterday's event, so I do see how it was a waste, had NX been able to build one E400MMC in Platinum early for the event I'm sure they would of done,

[JoNi]

It never ceases to amaze me how NX wastes money on one hand while operating financial cultures that result in buses being cancelled most days. If it was for a day I would have thought it would have been "wrapped".
In North Kent Arriva refurbished 58 plate Enviros complete with fitting them with full rear destination blinds. If NX knew this event then they could refurbished an existing bus to Platinum standard, but I suspect that would have exceeded that "silos" budget!

[winston]

It never ceases to amaze me how NX wastes money on one hand while operating financial cultures that result in buses being cancelled most days. If it was for a day I would have thought it would have been "wrapped".
In North Kent Arriva refurbished 58 plate Enviros complete with fitting them with full rear destination blinds. If NX knew this event then they could refurbished an existing bus to Platinum standard, but I suspect that would have exceeded that "silos" budget!

NX (Dean Finch) has previously said he would rather buy brand new than refurbish older midlife vehicles, those type of refurbishments are only cosmetic and you wouldn't gain the benefits of more fuel efficient Euro 6 engines

[JoNi]

That implies a positive change of policy on Dean Finch's part as wasn't he the one who signed a partnership agreement that saw the Trident's refurbished on the first place. Or is just the spectre of NEXUS style franchising!

[winston]

That implies a positive change of policy on Dean Finch's part as wasn't he the one who signed a partnership agreement that saw the Trident's refurbished on the first place. Or is just the spectre of NEXUS style franchising!

That policy has been pretty much been in place the last couple of years or so when the Mercs refurbs ceased, NX continue to 'lightly re-furbishing their existing double decker fleet' with repaints/re-trims etc. However, they now favour to buy new vehicles & replace existing, as opposed to heavy refurb's to extend existing vehicle's lives and are targeting a low overall average age.

[JoNi]

But is that smoke and mirrors where you have massive investment to get the age down over 5 years rather than stating specific aspirations for average vehicle by 2020, 2025 and better still be committed to having no vehicle older than 3 years old out at night and Sundays just like in the mid 80s. As already mentioned platinum is 21st century Timesaver. The back to the future initiative. A far from convinced driver spoke to me recently and said "it's b*ll**ks" sounds like a communication problem!

[winston]

But is that smoke and mirrors where you have massive investment to get the age down over 5 years rather than stating specific aspirations for average vehicle by 2020, 2025 and better still be committed to having no vehicle older than 3 years old out at night and Sundays just like in the mid 80s. As already mentioned platinum is 21st century Timesaver. The back to the future initiative. A far from convinced driver spoke to me recently and said "it's b*ll**ks" sounds like a communication problem!

They may have already stated the average age that they are aiming towards, I can't remember, you'll have to check their RNS's,

Who cares if it's a 21st Centuary 'Timesaver', the routes that are being upgraded will benefit from brand new, fuel efficient, high spec buses that produce lower emissions. As long as passengers benefit and the relaunch has the potential to remove car journey's off the road & help ease congestion, does it really matter...... ?

[JoNi]

RNS you beat me there despite having 74 to choose from!

http://www.acronymattic.com/RNS.html

[winston]

RNS you beat me there despite having 74 to choose from!

http://www.acronymattic.com/RNS.html

http://www.londonstockexchange.com/products-and-services/rns/rns.htm

[Liberator9]

I agree with Winston here - the buses Platinum will bring shall be an improvement on the buses NX already have out - it's hardly back to the future, considering these buses will have Wi-Fi, Leather Seats, etc. which Timesaver did not.

[monkeyjoe]

From what I remember of the timesavers i bet 100% they were a lot for comfortable than leather on these new platinums will be. As i said earlier apart from the fact their has been a recession can't understand how come it has taken so long.

[Liberator9]

Arriva have themselves only just introduced a premium service - NX have been investing in the fleet consistently over the last few years which is good - and at least NX are introducing the premium service now - better late than never. It's certainly an improvement over 2010 when the future of NXWM was in doubt.

[RW]

If, as seems likely, this livery will only be applied to 'new' Platinum vehicles then surely it must be a given that NX will review the existing 'standard' livery. The 2 liveries are like chalk and cheese and if the standard cheap and cheerful livery is not revised to reflect in some way the more sophisticated and impressive Platinum livery it will be like having 2 separate bus companies. At the very least the platinum liveried vehicles will put the standard liveried vehicles in the shade, metaphorically speaking. Something along the lines adopted by Arriva, where their Sapphire vehicles are still recognisable as being part of the Arrive stable will surely have to happen within NXWM. Does anyone know who is responsible for the Platinum livery. In house or outside designers?

[Liberator9]

In house I believe - and I swear I saw on the forum that at some point over the last few months that the current livery is going to be revised.

On this topic

http://wmbusphotos.com/forum/index.php?topic=3132.45

Andrew's post, 12th post down the page.