Blog - Transport Designed

Today’s day 236 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re heading over to Tameside for a look at a route which will take you to the edge of...

#AYearOfBuses 235: X35 Falkirk – Glasgow

23 Aug 2019

It’s day 235 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at another Scottish express bus route! First’s X35 is a recent addition to the line...

#AYearOfBuses 234: Minnis Bay – Ramsgate

22 Aug 2019

We’re off to Margate! It’s day 234 on #AYearOfBuses, and today we’re taking a trip to the seaside. Stagecoach East Kent’s 34 links the secluded...

#AYearOfBuses 233: Woodstock – Burford

21 Aug 2019

Which end of the 233 will you visit? From charming Woodstock (no,not that one) through to Burford, Stagecoach in Oxfordshire’s 233 has something for everybody....

#AYearOfBuses 232: Hanley – Uttoxeter

20 Aug 2019

We are 232 days in on #AYearOfBuses…and it’s the first time we’ve featured a route from the Potteries! The city of Stoke-on-Trent is a sort...

#AYearOfBuses 231: Huddersfield – Wakefield

19 Aug 2019

We haven’t featured a Yorkshire Tiger route for quite a while on #AYearOfBuses, so for day 231, we’re taking a look at their erm…231! The...

#AYearOfBuses 230: Hammersmith – Westbourne Park

18 Aug 2019

It’s day 230 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at a London bus route which we never got the chance to feature all the...

#AYearOfBuses 229: #Heckspress Huddersfield – Leeds

17 Aug 2019

It’s day 229 here on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at a grand Yorkshire connection which recently received a publicity boost. Arriva Yorkshire’s 229...

#AYearOfBuses 228: Tunbridge Wells – Crowborough

16 Aug 2019

It’s been quite a while since we featured a bus route from Kent here on #AYearOfBuses – so today, we’re putting things right! The 228,...

#AYearOfBuses 227: Bromley North – Crystal Palace

15 Aug 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a London bus route which was, up until recently, home to a fleet of rare Stagecoach Citaros. Tracing its roots...

#AYearOfBuses 226: Merry Hill – Dudley

14 Aug 2019

Today, we’re heading back to the West Midlands on #AYearOfBuses, to take a look at one of many bus routes connecting surrounding towns with Merry...

#AYearOfBuses 225: Blackburn – Bolton

13 Aug 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a long-established scenic bus route linking Lancashire with Greater Manchester. The 1, from The Blackburn Bus Company, is the southern...

#AYearOfBuses 224: Fowey – Mevagissey

12 Aug 2019

First Kernow has the honour of serving one of the most beautiful parts of Great Britatin – Cornwall – and today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is...

#AYearOfBuses 223: Erskine – Glasgow

11 Aug 2019

We’re 223 days in on #AYearOfBuses and we haven’t yet featured a McGills route! Well today, that’s about to change. McGills route 23, and its...

#AYearOfBuses 222: Hounslow – Uxbridge

10 Aug 2019

We’re sticking with London today on #AYearOfBuses, to take a look at a route which featured some of Britain’s earliest low floor buses. Back in...

#AYearOfBuses 221: Edgware – Turnpike Lane

09 Aug 2019

We’re taking a trip back to London today on #AYearOfBuses, to take a look at a popular north London bus route. Introduced in 1961 to...

#AYearOfBuses 220: Doncaster – Cortonwood

08 Aug 2019

We’re checking out somewhere new today on #AYearOfBuses – it’s day 220! Stagecoach Yorkshire’s 220 is a particularly interesting route. Connecting Doncaster with Conisbrough, Mexborough,...

#AYearOfBuses 219: Manchester – Stalybridge

07 Aug 2019

Three days ago, we featured one of two routes linking Manchester with Ashton on #AYearOfBuses, and today, we’re taking a look at the second. Stagecoach...

ADL supercharges double deckers with new Enviro400ER

07 Aug 2019

ADL has announced that it is expanding the UK’s widest range of low and zero emission buses with the new Enviro400ER Electric Range hybrid double...

#AYearOfBuses 218: Peak Line Sheffield – Bakewell

06 Aug 2019

We’re staying in Derbyshire today on #AYearOfBuses – there’s another fantastic route which visits Chatsworth House to see. Peak Line 218, from TM Travel, received...

#AYearOfBuses 217: Matlock – Chatsworth

05 Aug 2019

It’s day 217 here on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a scenic stroll through the heart of Derbyshire with Yourbus. The 217 is a Derbyshire County...

#AYearOfBuses 216: Manchester – Ashton

04 Aug 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at one of two core bus routes linking Manchester with the Tameside town of Ashton. Stagecoach Manchester’s 216...

#AYearOfBuses 215: X15 Newport – Brynmawr

03 Aug 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses takes a scenic route through south Wales to Wales’ highest town! At 1,250 to 1,500 feet above sea level at the...

#AYearOfBuses 214: Highgate Village – Liverpool Street

02 Aug 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is one of London’s next routes to go fully-electric. London’s route 214 began life in 1961 as a replacement for trolleybus...

#AYearOfBuses 213: Canvey – Southend

01 Aug 2019

We’re taking a trip to somewhere new today on #AYearOfBuses – Canvey Island! First Essex’s route 21 links the reclaimed island in the Thames estuary,...

#AYearOfBuses 212: MAX Newcastle – Middlesbrough

31 Jul 2019

Ten days after our last Arriva MAX route featured, we’re taking a look at another! It’s MAX X12, linking Newcastle with Middlesbrough. Launched in 2015,...

#AYearOfBuses 211: Hammersmith – Waterloo

30 Jul 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re bringing you some hardcore bus pornography courtesy of Travel London. London’s route 211 links the rather well-to-do areas of Hammersmith, Fulham...

#AYearOfBuses 210: North Walsham – Norwich

29 Jul 2019

It’s the second scenic route we’ve featured from Norfolk-based independent, Sanders Coaches today on #AYearOfBuses – it’s day 210. Sanders route 210 takes the ‘scenic’...

Borders Buses make tracking their buses “as easy as ordering pizza”

29 Jul 2019

Passenger

Recent research conducted by Transport Focus got to the crux of the issues young people face when using the bus, and what factors deter them...

#AYearOfBuses 209: Gold S9 Wantage – Oxford

28 Jul 2019

It’s been quite a while since we featured one of Stagecoach’s Gold routes here on #AYearOfBuses, so today, we’re fixing that with Oxford’s Gold S9....

#AYearOfBuses 208: Lewisham – Orpington

27 Jul 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is – or was – a London bus route with a difference! Go-Ahead London General’s 208 began life in 1982, in...

#AYearOfBuses 207: Greenline London – Legoland Windsor

26 Jul 2019

Using a little more poetic licence, today is day 207 on #AYearOfBuses – so we’re taking a look at Greenline 702. Greenline 702 is one...

#AYearOfBuses 206: 602 Hatfield – Watford

25 Jul 2019

Today’s day 206 on #AYearOfBuses – so what better day to take a look at Uno’s route 602? Uno’s 602 links the Hertfordshire town of...

#AYearOfBuses 205: Paddington – Bow Church

24 Jul 2019

Stagecoach London’s route 205 is today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses. The 205 came to life in 2002, replacing the former StationLink 1 route, an accessible route...

#AYearOfBuses 204: Harrogate Electrics Pateley Bridge – Harrogate

23 Jul 2019

Time for something a little different! Today’s day 204 on #AYearOfBuses, and if you take the ‘0’ from 204, you’re left with…24. We didn’t get...

#AYearOfBuses 203: Manchester – Stockport

22 Jul 2019

We’re heading back to Manchester for day 203 on #AYearOfBuses – today’s winner is the 203, linking the city with Reddish and Stockport. Stagecoach Manchester’s...

#AYearOfBuses 202: MAX Leeds – Huddersfield

21 Jul 2019

Today’s day 202 on #AYearOfBuses, and today, we’re taking a look at another of Arriva’s MAX routes in Yorkshire. Arriva’s MAX 202 connects West Yorkshire’s...

#AYearOfBuses 201: Bourne – Peterborough

20 Jul 2019

We’re heading back to Bourne today on #AYearOfBuses – it’s day 201! We featured Delaine’s route 101 exactly 100 days ago here on #AYearOfBuses. Whilst...

#AYearOfBuses 200: Skylink Edinburgh Airport – Ocean Terminal

19 Jul 2019

From Skyline 199 yesterday, to Skylink 200 today – Lothian’s route from Edinburgh Airport into the north of Edinburgh is our winner today on #AYearOfBuses....

#AYearOfBuses 199: Skyline Buxton – Manchester Airport

18 Jul 2019

There was only ever going to be one winner for day 199 on #AYearOfBuses – it’s the famous 199, connecting the Peak District with Stockport...

#AYearOfBuses 198: Minehead – Dulverton

17 Jul 2019

Here at Transport Designed, we love a quirky rural bus route – and today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses fits the bill perfectly. Accessible travel charity Atwest...

#AYearOfBuses 197: Llanelli – Carmarthen

16 Jul 2019

Today’s winner on day 197 of #AYearOfBuses is another picturesque bus route through the stunning Welsh countryside. First Cymru’s 197 links Carmarthen with Lllanelli, via...

#AYearOfBuses 196: Piccadilly – Manchester Airport

15 Jul 2019

We don’t often feature ‘lost’ bus routes here on #AYearOfBuses, but today we’re making an exception. Manchester’s route 196 is – or was – one...

#AYearOfBuses 195: Brentford – Charville Lane Estate

14 Jul 2019

We’re staying in TfL-land for today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses. The 195 runs between Brentford, Southall, Hayes and the Charville Lane Estate. It’s of particular interest...

#AYearOfBuses 194: Piccadilly Circus – Acton Green

13 Jul 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a relative newcomer to the scene, but it’s soon to become one of the capital’s most high profile bus routes....

#AYearOfBuses 193: Little Oranges Reading – Lower Earley

12 Jul 2019

From yesterday’s behemoth, the 192, we’re taking the pace down a notch – today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is Reading Buses’ Little Oranges. Little Oranges are...

#AYearOfBuses 192: Manchester – Hazel Grove

11 Jul 2019

Today, it’s a big one. On day 192 of #AYearOfBuses, there could only be one winner. A stalwart of Manchester’s bus scene, the 192 has...

#AYearOfBuses 191: Cardiff – Penarth Pier

10 Jul 2019

One of the shortest routes we’ve featured to date on #AYearOfBuses, today we’re taking a look at the seasonal 91, from Cardiff Bus. On Summer...

#AYearOfBuses 190: X90 Oxford – London

09 Jul 2019

It’s one of the UK bus industry’s heavyweights today on #AYearOfBuses – we’re taking a look at the X90, from the Oxford Bus Company. In...

#AYearOfBuses 189: Lancaster – Knott End

08 Jul 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at a route we didn’t get to feature on day 89 – it’s Kirkby Lonsdale Coach Hire’s 89...

#AYearOfBuses 188: North Greenwich – Russell Square

07 Jul 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is an iconic London bus route, connecting the Greenwich peninsula with the South Bank and London’s West End. Go-Ahead London Central’s...

#AYearOfBuses 187: Xpress Glasgow – Waterside

06 Jul 2019

Scotland, we’re back! Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a trip to Glasgow for a peek at one of the city’s many express bus routes. First...

#AYearOfBuses 186: Manchester – Chorlton

05 Jul 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at a great northern bus route we didn’t get chance to feature back on day 86! Stagecoach Manchester’s...

#AYearOfBuses 185: AD122 Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus

04 Jul 2019

Granted, today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a bit of a shoehorn – but we’ve included AD122, the Hadrian’s Wall Country Bus here for good reason…...

#AYearOfBuses 184: Manchester – Huddersfield

03 Jul 2019

2 Comments

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at a scenic cross-border route running from Manchester, over the moors and into Yorkshire. First Manchester’s 184 connects...

#AYearOfBuses 183: X12 Weymouth – Blandford

02 Jul 2019

Today’s route on #AYearOfBuses is another member of the Go South Coast family – it’s Damory’s X12. Previously known as the 183/184 (which is why...

#AYearOfBuses 182: Shaw – Manchester

01 Jul 2019

It’s one of Greater Manchester’s busiest bus routes – and today, the 182 is our focus on #AYearOfBuses. First Manchester’s 182 runs from Manchester city...

#AYearOfBuses 181: CastleLine York – Malton

30 Jun 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at a bus route with a difference – a stately home! Coastliner’s 181 – or CastleLine, as it’ll...

#AYearOfBuses 180: X80 Chafford Hundred – Bluewater

29 Jun 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re heading back to Thurrock for a nosey at one of Ensignbus’ flagship routes. Running north-south across the River Thames, the X80...

#AYearOfBuses 179: Dumfries – Carlisle

28 Jun 2019

Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancs’ cross-border route 79 is our winner today on #AYearOfBuses. From the traditional market town of Dumfries, in Galloway, Scotland, the...

#AYearOfBuses 178: X78 Sheffield – Doncaster

27 Jun 2019

We’re taking a look at one of First South Yorkshire’s interurban express routes today on #AYearOfBuses – the X78. Since Sheffield Supertram’s tram-train link opened...

#AYearOfBuses 177: Newton Abbot – Totnes

26 Jun 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, it’s another of Country Bus Devon’s scenic bus routes across South Devon. Country Bus Devon run a small network of routes in...

#AYearOfBuses 176: Tottenham Court Road – Penge

25 Jun 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses we’re heading back to the capital, for a look at one of the city’s most well-established bus routes. Today in the hands...

#AYearOfBuses 175: Citywest – UCD Belfield

24 Jun 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a break from the norm, and heading over the water to one of our closest neighbours. Dublin’s route 175 was...

#AYearOfBuses 174: High Wycombe – Slough

23 Jun 2019

It’s day 174 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at First Berkshire’s fast bus to Slough – the X74. The X74 links High Wycombe...

Abellio’s new identity for East Midlands Railway

23 Jun 2019

7 Comments

Abellio is bringing a touch of purple to the East Midlands with its new look for East Midlands Railway. Owned by the Dutch state-owned rail...

#AYearOfBuses 173: Castleton – Bakewell

22 Jun 2019

We’re taking a trip to the Peak District today on #AYearOfBuses! Local independent, Hulleys of Baslow, run a small network of routes centered around the...

#AYearOfBuses 172: Mendip Xplorer Paulton – Bath

21 Jun 2019

It’s day 172 on #AYearOfBuses! We’re taking another look at First’s Mendip Xplorers in the south west. Back on day 126, we took a look...

#AYearOfBuses 171: Withington Hospital – Newton Heath

20 Jun 2019

One of Manchester’s longest, most winding bus routes is our winner for day 171 on #AYearOfBuses. It’s the bus route which arguably defines ’round the...

#AYearOfBuses 170: Roehampton – Victoria

19 Jun 2019

We’re taking a trip back to the capital today on #AYearOfBuses! The 170 is one of only a handful of single decker bus routes running...

#AYearOfBuses 169: Tottington Line Bury – Tottington

18 Jun 2019

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

6 Comments

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