Blog - Transport Designed

Today’s day 169 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at one of Bury’s brightest brands. Tottington Line was the first brand to be refreshed...

#AYearOfBuses 168: Southend Pier – Leigh-on-Sea

17 Jun 2019

Fancy a trip to the seaside? Today on #AYearOfBuses, that’s exactly where we’re heading! Go-Ahead London’s open top bus route in Southend traces a seafront...

#AYearOfBuses 167: MAX Darlington – Middlesbrough

16 Jun 2019

It’s day 167 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at another of Arriva’s MAX routes today. MAX X67, alongside its sister route, the X66,...

#AYearOfBuses 166: X66 Metrocentre – Gateshead

15 Jun 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses comes with its own family of colourful gnomes! Go North East’s Metrocentre shuttle, the X66, runs every few minutes between Gateshead...

#AYearOfBuses 165: Totnes – Broadhempston

14 Jun 2019

We’re taking a look at another country bus route today on #AYearOfBuses – from erm, Country Bus! Country Bus Devon’s rural route 165 links the...

#AYearOfBuses 164: Rochdale – Accrington

13 Jun 2019

We’re using some creative license today on #AYearOfBuses – but it’s allowed, seeing as we’re using it to feature a cracker of a route! In...

#AYearOfBuses 163: Sapphire Castleford – Leeds

12 Jun 2019

It’s another Sapphire route today on #AYearOfBuses! We’re taking a look at Arriva’s 163, linking Leeds with Kippax, Garforth and Castleford. A former ‘Elite’ route...

#AYearOfBuses 162: Larne – Carnlough – Ballycastle

11 Jun 2019

Today, it’s a first for us here on #AYearOfBuses – we’re heading over the water to Northern Ireland, where there’s a particularly scenic coastal bus...

#AYearOfBuses 161: Frankley – Birmingham

10 Jun 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses we’re taking a look at a key city route serving one of Birmingham’s main corridors. It’s pretty rare these days to find...

#AYearOfBuses 160: South Downs Chichester – Midhurst

09 Jun 2019

Stagecoach’s leisurely route through the South Downs National Park is today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses. Starting from the small market town of Midhurst, nestled in the South...

#AYearOfBuses 159: Streatham – Marble Arch

08 Jun 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a very special route – and one particular award has sealed its place in history. The 159 (Streatham – Marble Arch)...

#AYearOfBuses 158: Edinburgh – St Andrews

07 Jun 2019

Stagecoach East Scotland’s express route linking St Andrews with the Scottish capital is our winner today on #AYearOfBuses! Upon leaving Edinburgh, the X58 crosses the...

#AYearOfBuses 157: Exmouth – Sidmouth

06 Jun 2019

It’s back to the south coast for our winner today on #AYearOfBuses! Previously branded as Coasthopper 157 using a fleet of step-entrance Plaxton Pointer-bodied Dennis...

Here’s what the future trains for HS2 could look like

05 Jun 2019

Five bidders have revealed their plans for the potential future rolling stock for HS2, the UK’s second high speed rail line. AGV and Eurostar-inspired designs...

#AYearOfBuses 156: Wensleydale Voyager Leyburn – Hawes

05 Jun 2019

We’re taking another foray deep into the Dales today on #AYearOfBuses. The Little White Bus are a small community bus company, centred on Hawes in...

#AYearOfBuses 155: Hull – Goole

04 Jun 2019

East Yorkshire’s Petuaria Express is today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses! Petuaria (or Petuaria Parisorum) was originally a Roman fort, situated where the town of Brough in...

#AYearOfBuses 154: Loughborough – Leicester

03 Jun 2019

Today’s feature on #AYearOfBuses loosely follows the route of the Great Central Railway across Leicestershire – it’s Centrebus 154. Had the Great Central Railway still...

#AYearOfBuses 153: Tigermoth Welwyn Garden City – New Greens

02 Jun 2019

The second of their aviation-themed routes to appear in our list, today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is Tigermoth, from Uno. Earlier in 2019, Uno relaunched the...

Go North West reveal their new brand and livery

02 Jun 2019

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Go North West have unveiled the fresh new look for their new operations in Manchester. It’s the dawn of a new era for First Manchester’s...

#AYearOfBuses 152: Hotline Preston – Burnley

01 Jun 2019

Welcome to June! Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a route steeped in history, being the first route which Ribble Motor Services ran when they were...

#AYearOfBuses 151: Blackwood – Newport

31 May 2019

Day 151 on #AYearOfBuses has to be one of South Wales’ most scenic routes, full stop. Stagecoach’s Gold 151 links Blackwood, in the Valleys of...

#AYearOfBuses 150: MAX Aylesbury – Milton Keynes

30 May 2019

We’re taking a trip through rural Bedfordshire and Buckinghamshire today here on #AYearOfBuses – it’s Arriva’s MAX 150. And it’s a good one. At the...

#AYearOfBuses 149: Edmonton Green – London Bridge

29 May 2019

One of London’s busiest routes is our winner today on #AYearOfBuses – it’s former bendybus route 149. The 149 began all the way back in...

#AYearOfBuses 148: Shepherd’s Bush – Camberwell Green

28 May 2019

It’s back to London today here on #AYearOfBuses, for a relative newcomer to the scene. The 148 came to life in 2002, running between Shepherd’s...

Strathclyde rides again

27 May 2019

Strathclyde’s striking orange and black colour scheme has risen from the grave. It’s the first of three retro liveries from the 60s, 70s and 80s...

#AYearOfBuses 147: Manchester – West Didsbury

27 May 2019

Another weapon in Stagecoach’s Oxford Road arsenal, today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is Magic Bus 147. The 147 started life in 2005 as Manchester’s ‘Oxford Road...

#AYearOfBuses 146: Norwich – Southwold

26 May 2019

Day 146 on #AYearOfBuses takes us to Norwich, where there’s a hidden gem heading out to the east coast. Border Bus 146 runs every 30...

#AYearOfBuses 145: Red Kite Newcastle – Consett

25 May 2019

There aren’t many buses you’ll find with a pair of beady eyes drilling into you as it approaches – but that’s exactly what you’re getting...

#AYearOfBuses 144: The Salt Road Birmingham – Worcester

24 May 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses we’re taking a trip along the Salt Road – the ancient road used by the Romans to carry salt from the town...

#AYearOfBuses 143: Coastliner Leeds – Scarborough

23 May 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re heading back into #CoastlinerCountry one more time! Coastliner’s 843 is the sister route to Britain’s Most Scenic Bus Route, the 840...

Ride Red4 for free with the Sunday Freeway

22 May 2019

Get ready to ride Red4 for free on Sundays! First trialled in Harrogate with the Harrogate Electrics, Transdev are now rolling out their popular #SundayFreeway...

#AYearOfBuses 142: Magic Bus Manchester – East Didsbury

22 May 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is magic! It’s an all-time classic – it’s student favourite, Magic Bus 142. Stagecoach’s Magic Bus brand was introduced to Manchester...

First Bus teases identity for new Scottish operations

21 May 2019

First have offered a teaser as to the identity of their new Edinburgh operations. Granted, the teaser image isn’t much to go from, but the...

#AYearOfBuses 141: Sutton – Nottingham

21 May 2019

We’re staying in the Midlands today on #AYearOfBuses – popping over the border from Derbyshire into Nottinghamshire. Trent Barton’s 141 is an often-overlooked but absolutely...

50 shades of ADL – First delivers a colourful line-up for Glasgow

21 May 2019

First Glasgow has come over all ’50 shades’ whilst unveiling its fleet of 150 brand new buses for the city. Bus operator First Glasgow has...

#AYearOfBuses 140: Matlock – Alfreton

20 May 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses takes us for a ride through history – literally! Derbyshire County Council’s contracted route 140 links Matlock with Alfreton and the living...

RATP places huge order for 50 Alstom Aptis electric buses

20 May 2019

Alstom has won a huge order for 50 of its Aptis electric buses. It follows an order from Strasbourg for 12 of the revolutionary double-ended...

#AYearOfBuses 139: Bath & Bristol direct

19 May 2019

It’s to the West of England once more for us here on #AYearOfBuses! We’re going back to Bath for a look at one of the...

#AYearOfBuses 138: Ribblehead Dalesbus Hawes – Settle

18 May 2019

We’re taking another scenic stroll around the Dalesbus network today here on #AYearOfBuses! Those familiar with the world-famous Settle and Carlisle rail line will know...

#AYearOfBuses 137: Marble Arch – Streatham Hill

17 May 2019

We’re sticking with London today on #AYearOfBuses! The 137 is one of the capital’s oldest and most famous bus routes, cutting a swathe through central...

#AYearOfBuses 136: N136 Oxford Circus – Chislehurst

16 May 2019

Today’s winner here on #AYearOfBuses is our very first night bus! And it’s an interesting one, too. The N136 is actually a night bus version...

#AYearOfBuses 135: Manchester – Bury

15 May 2019

There could only be one winner today on #AYearOfBuses – it’s Manchester’s long-established, former bendybus route 135. In a rare masterstroke move from First Manchester...

#AYearOfBuses 134: North Finchley – Tottenham Court Road

14 May 2019

Today’s feature here on #AYearOfBuses has a strong accolade – it’ll be the first route in London to be run purely by all-electric Optare Metrodecker...

Rail revolution: Azuma launches on the East Coast

14 May 2019

LNER has officially launched the next generation of trains for the East Coast Main Line. At a star-studded ceremony at London’s King’s Cross station, LNER...

#AYearOfBuses 133: Braintree – Stansted Airport

13 May 2019

Day 133 on #AYearOfBuses takes us to Essex, for a look at Arriva Kent Thameside’s recently-upgraded link to Stansted Airport. Previously part of the ‘sxconnect’...

#AYearOfBuses 132: Connector Oxford – Wantage

12 May 2019

It’s day 132 here on #AYearOfBuses, and following on from yesterday, we’re sticking with the Go-Ahead Group for a look at Thames Travel’s Connector. Connector...

#AYearOfBuses 131: Toonlink Newcastle – Stanley

11 May 2019

We’re going doon Toon! Today’s winner here on #AYearOfBuses is Go North East’s Toonlink X31. Go North East is well-known for its array of quirky...

#AYearOfBuses 130: Macclesfield – Manchester

10 May 2019

One of Manchester and Cheshire’s longest and well-established cross-boundary bus routes is our focus today here on #AYearOfBuses – the 130. Established in 1928 as...

#AYearOfBuses 129: North Greenwich – Cutty Sark

09 May 2019

How many bus routes can say they start with a cable car, and finish at an 1869-built clipper ship? Well, London’s route 129 can, and...

#AYearOfBuses 128: DalesBus 821 Keighley – Scar House

08 May 2019

With a touch of creative license, we’re taking a trip on DalesBus 821 today on #AYearOfBuses, into the Nidderdale Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. The...

#AYearOfBuses 127: MAX Dewsbury – Wakefield

07 May 2019

We’re taking a look at another of Arriva’s MAX routes for day 127 on #AYearOfBuses! This time, it’s MAX 127, from Dewsbury to Wakefield. MAX...

East Yorkshire launches THREE new brands in one day

06 May 2019

2 Comments

Go-Ahead owned East Yorkshire has launched not one, not two, but THREE new brands for Scarborough, and a new ticket deal with Transdev’s Coastliner to...

#AYearOfBuses 126: Mendip Xplorer Wells – Weston-Super-Mare

06 May 2019

It’s day 126 on #AYearOfBuses! We’re taking a trip to the seaside town of Weston-Super-Mare for a look at another of the country’s most attraction-packed...

#AYearOfBuses 125: Preston – Bolton

05 May 2019

It’s back to Preston’s iconic Grade II-listed bus station for day 125 on #AYearOfBuses! Stagecoach Merseyside and Lancashire’s flagship Gold 125 links the northern city...

#AYearOfBuses 124: Edinburgh – North Berwick

04 May 2019

From London to Edinburgh, we’re heading back to East Lothian for day 124 on #AYearOfBuses. In 2012, Lothian Buses launched their new subsidiary, East Coast...

#AYearOfBuses 123: Ilford – Wood Green

03 May 2019

We haven’t been to London for a while here on #AYearOfBuses! So today, we’re taking a look at another of the capital’s routes. Now in...

#AYearOfBuses 122: Hop122 St Marychurch – Paignton Zoo

02 May 2019

Hop up top with the Bus Hoppers! Stagecoach’s Hop122 is today’s feature here on #AYearOfBuses. Strongly marketed towards families and children, Stagecoach South West’s Golden...

#AYearOfBuses 121: Hull – Bridlington

01 May 2019

We’re taking another trip to the east coast today here on #AYearOfBuses, for a look at one of East Yorkshire’s most well-established routes. Previously running...

#AYearOfBuses 120: Halfway – Fulwood

30 Apr 2019

One of Sheffield’s most important routes, the 120 is today’s focus here on #AYearOfBuses. Dominated by the duality in the city that is First and...

A magical new dawn for the Caledonian Sleeper

29 Apr 2019

You’d be hard pressed to find a more magical experience than the Caledonian Sleeper. Caledonian Sleeper’s new Mk5 trains have now hit the rails, and...

#AYearOfBuses 118: MAX Newcastle – Berwick-upon-Tweed

28 Apr 2019

One of Newcastle, North Tyneside and Northumberland’s most scenic bus routes is our focus today here on #AYearOfBuses. The second of Arriva’s MAX routes to...

#AYearOfBuses 117: X17 Warwick – Coventry

27 Apr 2019

We’re sticking with Stagecoach today on #AYearOfBuses! Stagecoach in Warwickshire’s X17 runs fast between Warwick and Coventry, via Royal Leamington Spa. Heading south out of...

#AYearOfBuses 116: Ayr – Kilmarnock

26 Apr 2019

Stagecoach West Scotland are simply making our job too easy here on #AYearOfBuses – today, we’re taking a look at another of their scenic bus...

#AYearOfBuses 115: my15 Ilkeston – East Midlands Airport

25 Apr 2019

We’re taking a long-overdue look at a Trent Barton route for day 115 here on #AYearOfBuses! The recently-extended my15 now links Ilkeston, Stapleford, Sandiacre and...

#AYearOfBuses 114: Preston – Chorley

24 Apr 2019

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From South Wales to South Lancashire! Day 114 on #AYearOfBuses takes us once more to Preston. From Preston’s iconic Grade II listed bus station leaves...

#AYearOfBuses 113: Cymru Clipper Llandeilo – Swansea

23 Apr 2019

In the heart of South Wales lies a network centered on the city of Swansea – Cymru Clipper. And Cymru Clipper X13 is one of...

#AYearOfBuses 112: Tavistock – Dawlish

22 Apr 2019

Today’s winner here on #AYearOfBuses is possibly one of the most unique routes we’ve featured to date. Powered completely by volunteers, Tavistock Country Bus 112...

#AYearOfBuses 111: Preston – Leyland

21 Apr 2019

Once the staple of long-standing independent, Fishwicks of Leyland, today on #AYearOfBuses we’re taking a look at Preston’s 111. John Fishwick & Sons started a...

#AYearOfBuses 110: Sapphire Wakefield – Leeds

20 Apr 2019

Arriva’s Sapphire brand is alive and well in West Yorkshire – and it’s day 110 on #AYearOfBuses. It’s Sapphire…but not as we know it. As...

#AYearOfBuses 109: Scarborough’s Seafront Service

19 Apr 2019

There could only be one winner for day 109 on #AYearOfBuses – Scarborough’s famous Seafront Service. A trip to the seaside just isn’t the same...

#AYearOfBuses 108: Haddington – Fort Kinnaird

18 Apr 2019

Former Eastern Scottish route 108, linking East Lothian with Fort Kinnaird is today’s feature here on #AYearOfBuses. Now in the hands of multi-award winning independent...

#AYearOfBuses 107: Edgware – New Barnet

17 Apr 2019

Today’s route on #AYearOfBuses connects the two northern termini of the Northern Line. Cutting a giant swathe across North West London, the 107 runs from...

#AYearOfBuses 106: The Alban Way

16 Apr 2019

We’re using some more ‘creative license’ today on #AYearOfBuses, to feature Uno’s route 601 – recently relaunched as The Alban Way. The Alban Way received...

#AYearOfBuses 105: Greenford – Heathrow Central

15 Apr 2019

West London is our destination for today on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at a route which has had more bus types over the...

Emirates Expo 2020 fleet flies high

14 Apr 2019

In this video, Emirates’ fleet of 40 Expo 2020 Dubai-themed Airbus A380 and Boeing 777 aircraft fly around the world spreading awareness and capturing global...

#AYearOfBuses 104: Chiltern Hundreds High Wycombe – Slough

14 Apr 2019

Go-Ahead owned bus company Carousel’s Chiltern Hundreds are today’s winners here on #AYearOfBuses. Named after the ancient traditional division of the English counties, Carousel’s Chiltern...

#AYearOfBuses 103: Manchester – World Freight Terminal

13 Apr 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is one of two core bus routes linking Manchester with its Airport. To be honest, we’ve chosen Stagecoach Manchester’s 103 for today...

It took Emirates 15,000 hours to apply these vinyls to its fleet

13 Apr 2019

Emirates has completed the fitting of bespoke Expo 2020 Dubai liveries on 40 of its planes. The project was one of the largest re-vinylling projects...

#AYearOfBuses 102: Aintree – Broadgreen

12 Apr 2019

Day 102 here on #AYearOfBuses takes us once more to the city of Liverpool, where there’s a bus which runs 365 days a year. The...

#AYearOfBuses 101: Peterborough – Morton

11 Apr 2019

We’re (sort of) sticking with the Midlands for today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses – we’re taking a look at Delaine of Bourne’s 101. Delaine, as you...

#AYearOfBuses 100: Pathfinder Southwell – Nottingham

10 Apr 2019

We made it! It’s day 100 here on #AYearOfBuses – and we’re taking a trip along one of the Midlands’ most scenic bus routes. As...

Transdev unveils centenary bus to commemorate Ribble 100

10 Apr 2019

Iconic Ribble red and cream colours have returned to Lancashire’s roads to mark 100 years of Ribble. It was a familiar sight across the North...

#AYearOfBuses 99: Wave Eastbourne – Hastings

09 Apr 2019

Wave, from Stagecoach in East Sussex, is our winner today for day 99 here on #AYearOfBuses. In 2018, Stagecoach invested in 12 brand new, route...

Here’s what experts think coaches will be like in the future

08 Apr 2019

Robot staff, virtual reality, and autonomous technology – here’s what megabus.com thinks your ‘coach of the future’ will look like. Customer health monitors, robot waiters,...

#AYearOfBuses 98: Willesden – Holborn

08 Apr 2019

It’s back to London for today on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at some rather interesting electric double deckers! Metroline run this small fleet...

CAF unveils Civity fleet for Transpennine Express

07 Apr 2019

Ahead of the new fleet for Transpennine Express hitting the rails, CAF has released this teaser video of their new Civity trains. CAF is the...

#AYearOfBuses 97: Leeds – Guiseley

07 Apr 2019

Introducing a new ‘quality’ brand for the city, First Leeds’ 97 is our focus for today, here on #AYearOfBuses. Part of a package of improvements...

#AYearOfBuses 96: Woolwich – Bluewater

06 Apr 2019

We’re taking a look at a London bus route which can trace its history to the days of trolleybuses today on #AYearOfBuses. Now in the...

#AYearOfBuses 95: Edinburgh – Carlisle

05 Apr 2019

Day 95 on #AYearOfBuses takes us to the Borders for a ride along the famous ‘Waverley route’. Borders Buses, part of the West Coast Motors...

VHH orders 16 eCitaro electric buses for Hamburg

05 Apr 2019

16 Mercedes-Benz eCitaro electrics are on the way for Hamburg. The metropolis of Hamburg is placing its trust in emission-free city buses, with a commitment from...

Eurostar celebrates first anniversary of high-speed services to Amsterdam

04 Apr 2019

Eurostar is celebrating its first year of direct services from London to the Netherlands. Since launching in April 2018, over quarter of a million people...

#AYearOfBuses 94: Cheltenham – Gloucester

04 Apr 2019

Fancy sitting next to a secret agent? Stagecoach’s Gold 94 links the twin cities of Cheltenham and Gloucester, with a brief stop at the GCHQ...

#AYearOfBuses 93: MAX Middlesbrough – Whitby – Scarborough

03 Apr 2019

Day 93 here on #AYearOfBuses takes us once again to the east coast for a trip on Arriva’s scenic X93. Max X93 links the Teesside...

#AYearOfBuses 92: Hazel Grove – Manchester

02 Apr 2019

Today’s route on #AYearOfBuses runs only in only direction, only on a weekday morning – because it was too confusing for customers to catch on...

#AYearOfBuses 91: the nines Derby – Mansfield

01 Apr 2019

It’s another route with a quirky numbering scheme courtesy of Trent Barton for today on #AYearOfBuses – welcome to the nines. Trent Barton invested £2.5m...

#AYearOfBuses 90: Fosseway Flyer Newark – Nottingham

31 Mar 2019

Founded in 1989, Marshall’s of Sutton-on-Trent are a small, family-run independent bus and coach company, and today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at their...

#AYearOfBuses 89: Calder Connect Rochdale – Burnley

30 Mar 2019

First West Yorkshire’s ‘Calder Connect’ 589 is our focus for today on #AYearOfBuses. A trio of routes centred on Todmorden in the Calder Valley come...

#AYearOfBuses 88: Camden Town – Clapham Common

29 Mar 2019

All aboard the Clapham Omnibus! We’re staying in London for day 88 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re picking up where we left off in the story...

#AYearOfBuses 87: Aldwych – Wandsworth

28 Mar 2019