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ONE to change name?

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Coxster

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http://new.edp24.co.uk/content/news...gory=news&itemid=NOED08 Dec 2006 18:01:11:980

08 December 2006 19:17

Train firm One could be in line for a name change as bosses of parent company National Express consider a massive image overhaul.

Just as commuters in the region have got used to the replacement of Anglia Railways with One two-and-a half years ago and the paint has barely dried on its upgraded London trains, Richard Bowker, chief executive of National Express, has hinted the firm should be seeking a bigger platform to exploit its corporate image.

But one passenger group gave the idea the thumbs down last night.

The name One was chosen after National Express became the single operator of trains out of Liverpool Street, leading to the disappearance of First Great Eastern and Anglia.

But many passengers have failed to warm to the name.

Commuters have long stopped chuckling at station announcers who declare: "The next train is the 7.20 One service to Liverpool Street."

Mr Bowker, former head of the Strategic Rail Authority and a disciple and former employee of Sir Richard Branson, who has built an empire stretching the Virgin brand, questioned the point of the One name during a newspaper interview.

"Is there value in the National Express brand? Is there value to be had in leveraging it across all our operations," he said. "We are thinking about it.

Last night a One spokesman said it was too early to say if change was on the way.

"There hasn't been any decision taken. National Express Group are carrying out a brand review of all their companies, but that doesn't necessarily mean there will be any changes for One."

But Peter Lawrence of passenger group Railfuture questioned the need for further change.

"The most important thing is that the trains run on time," he said. "We were very disappointed when they changed the name to One but people have got used to it now and it's established. Why waste money on rebranding when it's not necessary."
 
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metrocammel

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I think "Anglia" was a good name, with and equally attractive livery (much nicer than the horrible "rainbow" effect of "one"). Fair enough, "Anglia" is not the most suitable description of Bethnal Green or Ilford, but the well established Anglia name could have been adapted to the suburban services- rather than a ridiculous "minimalistic" name, such as "one". It is the same with the "proper name" of the London Tilbury & Southend railway, changing to a meaningless alpha-numeric name, "c2c". (even the company themeselves say it has no real meaning, but sounds trendier than LTS!!)

I personally I hope they do change the name from "one" to somthing more meaningful, like "Great Eastern Railway", and "Great Eastern Suburban", which are instanltly meaningful.....
 

metrocammel

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Another thing, With 1st Group, National express, Stagecoach and Virgin running the lion's share, with the odd independent (GNER, Chiltern, Grand Central etc) are we getting back to the days of the Big four?

But the self-proclaimed "largest" TOC is Northern, whose parent company is Serco Ned Railways, who also own Merseyrail - so surely Serco Ned Rail should also be counted as part of the biggest groups....
 

Ascot

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I think "Anglia" was a good name, with and equally attractive livery (much nicer than the horrible "rainbow" effect of "one"). Fair enough, "Anglia" is not the most suitable description of Bethnal Green or Ilford, but the well established Anglia name could have been adapted to the suburban services- rather than a ridiculous "minimalistic" name, such as "one". It is the same with the "proper name" of the London Tilbury & Southend railway, changing to a meaningless alpha-numeric name, "c2c". (even the company themeselves say it has no real meaning, but sounds trendier than LTS!!)

I personally I hope they do change the name from "one" to somthing more meaningful, like "Great Eastern Railway", and "Great Eastern Suburban", which are instanltly meaningful.....

That's what the rail enthusiests and old timers say, but a modern day commuter and leisure person would like something new to represent the era, alot of Oldies moaned about the Bull Ring being done up but it was for the better and they don't moan now when they go up Selfridges.

Example, for the West Midlands, it could be something like Bling Midlands etc... or CAB (Chavs ASBOs Bombs, Central and Borders)
 

metrocammel

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That's what the rail enthusiests and old timers say, but a modern day commuter and leisure person would like something new to represent the era, alot of Oldies moaned about the Bull Ring being done up but it was for the better and they don't moan now when they go up Selfridges.

Example, for the West Midlands, it could be something like Bling Midlands etc... or CAB (Chavs ASBOs Bombs, Central and Borders)

Yes, but at least "Great Eastern" gives you a good idea of the area the area the company serves. Like I have no objection with some "hip / funky" name, so long as it is meaningful, so perhaps "Somefunkyname Ltd, serving Eastern London suburbs, certain parts of (posher bits of - with the exception of Clacton-on-Sea) Essex & Intercity services to East Anglia!" ;)-))
 

Ascot

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Yes, but at least "Great Eastern" gives you a good idea of the area the area the company serves. Like I have no objection with some "hip / funky" name, so long as it is meaningful, so perhaps "Somefunkyname Ltd, serving Eastern London suburbs, certain parts of (posher bits of - with the exception of Clacton-on-Sea) Essex & Intercity services to East Anglia!" ;)-))

Nice ;)

or slap it all into c2c, Chav to Coast. Chav to Climax.

Or something like Eastern Connex "Connexing travel"

Only reason they are doin it is because of the Olympics, they don't want some person getting confused goin "err who do i get to le one train to Stratford ?" "I'm sorry you need to change to get there. No direct service."
 
T

Tom

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Tom Loader is the one to ask about that chap, his new gf is an Essex lass. I am told he has a thing about Essex lassies.

:lol:
 

Daniel

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I personally I hope they do change the name from "one" to somthing more meaningful, like "Great Eastern Railway", and "Great Eastern Suburban", which are instanltly meaningful.....

May I remind you that the "one" brand name also covers the West Anglian railway? Its not just the GE!!

Thank you :)
 

Respite

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I always thought the "Anglia" name suited things better. I do hope they also get rid of the gash "One" livery,its got to be one of the worst colour schemes ever to adorn a train. Looks like julian clary designed the scheme,its just vile.
 

Coxster

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I always thought the "Anglia" name suited things better. I do hope they also get rid of the gash "One" livery,its got to be one of the worst colour schemes ever to adorn a train. Looks like julian clary designed the scheme,its just vile.
I have got quite used to it now :oops:
 

Bighat

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I think "Anglia" was a good name, with and equally attractive livery (much nicer than the horrible "rainbow" effect of "one"). It is the same with the "proper name" of the London Tilbury & Southend railway, changing to a meaningless alpha-numeric name, "c2c". (even the company themeselves say it has no real meaning, but sounds trendier than LTS!!)

IIRC, when c2c was first trumpeted, it was supposed to mean CITY (c) to (2) Sea (c).

Patheic: yes, trendy: possibly, memorable: no!
 

Bighat

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Well, why not Great Eastern Metro for suburban services and Great Eastern Anglian for inter-urban routes (or perhaps Anglian Great Eastern)?

But most importantly, as someone else observed, get the frigging service back up to a standard and rebuild customer confidence/satisfaction. That's what REALLY matters.
 

Ascot

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Well at least it's not that predictable like First and Arriva, First Great Western and Arriva Trains Wales, but with NEX we get stuff like c2c and none.

I wonder if they bring back the Basingstoke service again just for the Olympics?

What Sia??? ;) HA!


- OOOH THIS IS MY HALF WAY TO 1000th POST....

There's alot more as well what is can't post on a public forum ;)

Tom Loader is the one to ask about that chap, his new gf is an Essex lass. I am told he has a thing about Essex lassies.

:lol:

Oh and the magical 5 ;)
 

Sprog

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Colour scheme is ok.

It looks alright nowthey have entire trainsand locos in thelivery,and its of high-standard.

But the name, well, its been comming for a while now.

New name:

Two!? :lol: :lol:
 

Mojo

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Example, for the West Midlands, it could be something like Bling Midlands etc... or CAB (Chavs ASBOs Bombs, Central and Borders)

The WM Franchise will probably need a "funky" name as it doesn't really serve a particular area - the (mainly commuter (currently Silverlink County) routes through Bucks, Herts & Milton Keynes couldn't really be described as "West Midlands."
 

Ascot

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I wish Crosslink would return!

That's the 1!

a 170 stuck behind them for god knows how long with massive delays.

They could call it something like West Coast and Midland Trains then again that's boring. i quite like West Connex.:cyclopsa:
 

ChrisCooper

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I'm glad I'm not the only one who thinks 'one' livery isn't too bad. Compared to some of the stuff we have had since privatisation it's pretty good. I don't particularly like the name, but then when we have First and c2c it's not particularly bad. Also, I can't see the point of the constant re-branding companies do these days, with all the expense it entails (both in terms of coming up with the new brand and also implementing it), and of cource it's us as passengers who pay. Can't help but think the new brand and livery will be even worse, and it sounds like they will end up common across the whole of NX.
 

Dennis

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The meaning of both the 'One' branding and the livery are completely lost on me but it is nevertheless distinctive, original and seems quite a strong branding. I think NEG should stick with it, having sucessfully weathered the initial storm of derision.

On the broader subject of homogenisation of brands, certainly in the case of First, it doesn't really seem to be working. Admittedly, all their train and bus liveries are of the same basic colour scheme but there are so many variations on the theme that it can hardly be called standard. Add to this half applied liveries (TPEX units) and other operators running units in First colours (ATW's 175 for example) and to my my mind application of First colours is a bit meaningless. The flying F on the other hand is a vastly more potent symbol which is easily recognised and much easier to apply than an all over livery.

Advice for NEG - save some cash; don't try and rebrand the whole fleet with consistent all-over liveries, the job will never be finished. Retain regional or fleet identities but with added NEG logos.
 

Mojo

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Absolutely, it's probable not many 'norms' know that c2c is owned by the same company as Central, or MML owned by the same bunch as 'one' - but people weren't too happy about hearing First were taking over Scotrail, for example.
 

O L Leigh

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That's assuming that it even happens. All NEG are doing is a group brand review.

Besides, who cares what the trains look like or how daft the name might be? You think changing these will make the blindest bit of difference to the travelling public's experience (and this applies equally to all TOC's)...?

one TN
 

Dennis

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Agree - rebranding won't make any difference to service levels unless the right equipment and systems are in place and personnel committed.

Having said that, decent branding can help attract new customers with what is perceived as being a fresh, new product.
 

O L Leigh

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Nope.

Decent trains and timetables attract punters, not swanky branding; no matter how well-known or trusted it might be. Just ask Richard Branson.

one TN
 

Guinness

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To be fair to Virgin they have a done a lot despite the "uncomfortable" trains. But the Trains are better at accelerating and better at corners thanks to the TASS system. This in turn leads to better journey times. Since the growth because of heavy advertising and media attention have given a huge rise in passenger numbers (20% over past 3 years) on the West Coast routes.

The frequency is much better compared to Post-Privatisation. The most obvious been Manchester - Euston increasing from hourly to every 30 minutes. More Peak Liverpool trains and half hourly New Street trains. After 2007 the timetable is due to give places a massive increase for 20 minute trains to Manchester and half hourly Liverpool all day. Virgin are also trying for the hourly Glasgow idea to see if can attract punters away from Airlines. 11-Car Pendolinos are also planned because of the huge rise in demand.
 
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