Is Stagecoach East ditching local branding?

1/12/2019

During our travels in recent months across the Stagecoach East patch we have noticed that recently repainted vehicles are bereft of local branding and instead carry the corporate ‘Stagecoach’ logos. We had initially thought nothing of this as some of the vehicles repainted are used on both Citi and other urban routes. But we have now come across a couple of Enviro 400s in Cambridge which have lost their Cambridge Citi branding on repaint. Most Darts and four Enviro 400s in Peterborough – along with an Enviro 400 carry Stagecoach logos and the application of the Bedford Bus brand seems to have stopped.
The Cambridge Citi brand, although tweaked in design since it first appeared, was introduced in 2001 so is almost 19 years old - quite an achievement for a bus service brand these days. The Citi brand first appeared in Peterborough in 2004 and a few years later buses in Bedford started to carry the Bedford Bus brand, although, with apologies to our good friend Ray Stenning, we still think that the logo for Bedford Bus resembles a squashed ladybird!
We could put 2+2 together and suggest maybe the Citi and Bedford Bus brands are being conveniently phased out as part of the preparations for the, top secret but much leaked Stagecoach UK Bus rebrand and re-livery. Or could it be a case that the strong ‘Simplibus’ brand used throughout Stagecoach East Midlands could find its way further East?

​Is Stagecoach East ditching local branding?

Is Stagecoach East ditching local branding?