"Jamie Thompson" wrote in message

On Oct 7, 4:29 pm, "Recliner" wrote:
So, the new Docklands cable car now has a commercial sponsor:
Emirates. The airline will be putting in 36m of the estimated 60m
cost (was originally 25m), in return for which it gets its name on
both the link itself, as well as both 'stations'. Will this be the
first time that a UK public transport link has been branded in this
way?
Seehttp://www.businesstraveller.com/news/emirates-to-sponsor-thames-cabl...

It's an interesting idea, actually. It's essentially nearly-free
income. I'd be quite happy for the tube lines to be sponsored, and
given the exposure you have there, that might attract a nice chunk of
change. I wonder if it could have between an interesting alternative
to privatisation on NR ro reduce subsidy too (say, "West Coast
Mainline, sponsored by Virgin").

I think the idea is that the sponsor is essentially an external
advertiser who puts money in, rather than the operator who takes
dividends out. So a sponsored WCML might have trains and stations
plastered with logos and ads from, say, HSBC, Vodafone or Santander,
just like airport jetways or Formula 1 cars. Most amusingly, maybe
Virgin could sponsor XC, thus retaining its brand on the trains, even
though it lost the franchise.