I'm sure a show of hands would vote against the so-called First Barbi livery and I too was one who hoped they might come up with something different. But I have to say the problem for me was not the design which was not a problem just all that depressing grey. Sadly the improved version is nowhere nearly as striking and the colours are even more muted making it greyer than ever and I wonder how it will look once it shows sign of wear, a bit like horror of horrors Barbi2.
I always assumed that First's fondness for grey was just them telling everyone exactly what they were (and are): a depressing, monolithic organisation with neither feel for nor understanding of the local markets they serve. Grey sums them up all too well.
ReplyDeleteAfter all, what else but lack of feel or understanding could explain the way they've destroyed what were perfectly viable companies such as Midland Red West and PMT, along with Badgerline and Western National, all four of which are now mere shadows of their former selves.
Thinking about it further, I don't think there's a single "First" company which hasn't shrunk massively since they took them over.
All I will add is Northampton!
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