New look for SBG
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THE SCOTTISH BUS GROUP has revamped its image to try and restore its competitive edge over national and local private operators.
The group has renamed its national network "Scottish Citylink" and has compiled a set of targets it hopes to reach. The main target is to provide a high quality network in Scotland and across the border; then, it hopes to compete with other forms of public transport on speed, price and service; to retain existing coach passengers and generate new business; to initiate new express services and develop sensible connections and interchanges; and to generate custom through attractive and competitive fares.
The coaches now have a blue and yellow Citylink livery which group chairman Ian Irwin hopes will improve public awareness of the services it provides.
"Apart from our London routes, the bus group's public image in the express business has perhaps not made the impact it could have. This may have been due to the diversity of services offered by the seven different companies in the group, all using a variable standard of coach and retaining their individual identity," he said.
The planning and marketing of Citylink network will be co-ordinated by a new Express Holidays manager to be named soon.
THE NATIONAL Bus Company has reorganised its responsibilities which includes setting up a new group to co-ordinate marketing. The changes take place on January 1, 1984.
The present structure is to be replaced by a two-region structure, supported by a new marketing and development organisation, the National Products Group.
The South East region, with the exception of London Country Bus Services, will be combined with the Midlands & West region into a new South region. The present Wales & the Marches and Northern regions will be combined into the Wales and North region.
The National Products Group will comprise the National Travel activities, including Victoria Coach Station, and the National Express, National Holidays, London Crusader and the recently established National Travelworld divisions. • Coaches in the new livery will continue to be owned and operated by the relevant SBG companies and will carry company names front and rear.
Mr Irwin said: "The quality of coach is an important part of our Scottish Citylink image and coaches used on these services will have soft trim reclining seats and, where appropriate, toilets.
"New vehicles are on order for 1984 and many existing coaches are being upgraded. We hope in a short period of time to have a coach fleet that is second to none in quality," he said.
Along with the new image comes a publicity campaign. "It is essential that the public is aware of the Scottish Citylink and should think immediately of Scottish Citylink when considering coach travel."
He added that it was important that the coach timetable be easily understood.