Blog - Transport Designed

It’s day 364 on #AYearOfBuses! And it’s time for our penultimate winner on #AYearOfBuses. And what a winner, too. Bluestar’s route 1 links the cathedral...

Pacer joins the National Railway Museum’s collection

30 Dec 2019

With its distinctive flat front, bus seating and functional design, the diesel ‘Pacer’ train may seem an unlikely candidate for museum preservation. However, Pacer 142001 will...

#AYearOfBuses 363: South Notts 1 Nottingham – Loughborough

29 Dec 2019

Today’s day 363 on #AYearOfBuses, and it’s another of our final five fantastic bus routes to finish off the series. We’re taking a look at...

#AYearOfBuses 362: Transpeak Derby – Buxton

28 Dec 2019

Our fourth from final entry on #AYearOfBuses is a route which is now sadly a shadow of its former self – but still worthy of...

#AYearOfBuses 365: Lakesider 599 Grasmere – Bowness-on-Windermere

28 Dec 2019

Here we are. The last ever winner on #AYearOfBuses. And what a winner it is. Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire’s Lakesider 599 is the scenic,...

#AYearOfBuses 361: Red Arrow Derby – Nottingham

27 Dec 2019

Can you believe it? We’ve only got 5 days left of the year – and we’re down to our final five winners on #AYearOfBuses. Each...

#AYearOfBuses 360: Elephant & Castle – Royal Albert Hall

26 Dec 2019

It’s day 360 on #AYearOfBuses! Today, we’re taking a look at London’s first hybrid electric bus route. The 360 was London’s first bus route to...

#AYearOfBuses 359: Exeter – Moretonhampstead

25 Dec 2019

Merry Christmas! It’s Christmas Day, and we’re taking a festive visit to Devon, where there’s a scenic bus route for us to explore. The 359,...

#AYearOfBuses 358: Crystal Palace – Orpington

24 Dec 2019

Merry Christmas! Today’s Christmas Eve, and it’s also day 358 on #AYearOfBuses. London’s route 358 is an interesting one. Formerly a commercially-operated route run by...

#AYearOfBuses 357: Manchester – Woodford

23 Dec 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses – Manchester’s 157, which later became the X57 – doesn’t technically exist anymore, but at the same time…it does! Manchester’s route...

#AYearOfBuses 356: Milford Haven – Monkton

22 Dec 2019

Day 356 on #AYearOfBuses takes us back to South Wales – and a port town dating back to the Middle Ages. Pembrokeshire County Council’s route...

#AYearOfBuses 355: Walthamstow – Oxford Circus

21 Dec 2019

Welcome to day 355 on #AYearOfBuses, where we’re taking a look at another important London bus route. Stagecoach’s 55 has a rich history, starting life...

#AYearOfBuses 354: 453 Deptford Bridge – Aldgate

20 Dec 2019

IT’s day 354 on #AYearOfBuses – and with some creative license, we’re switching things round – to 453! London’s route 453 was another newcomer to...

#AYearOfBuses 353: Cheetham Hill – Pendleton

19 Dec 2019

It’s day 353 on #AYearOfBuses! Today, we’re taking a look at a true Mancunian icon. Forget the Gallagher brothers. Forget the football teams. The 53...

#AYearOfBuses 352: Uppermill – Holmfirth

18 Dec 2019

We’re heading up to the moors for day 352 on #AYearOfBuses – and a quirky bus route which only runs on Saturdays. South Pennine Community...

#AYearOfBuses 351: Heathfield – Eastbourne

17 Dec 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses links up with a previous winner to create one staggeringly scenic bus route across Kent and East Sussex. All the way...

#AYearOfBuses 350: Ashton – Oldham

16 Dec 2019

A one-time First Pennine bus route, the 350 is our winner today – it’s day 350 on #AYearOfBuses. The Borough of Tameside is a particularly...

#AYearOfBuses 349: Haverfordwest – Tenby

15 Dec 2019

We’re taking a scenic trip through South Wales for day 349 on #AYearOfBuses! Pembrokeshire County Council’s route 349, currently run by First South West &...

#AYearOfBuses 348: Lincoln – Witham St Hughes

14 Dec 2019

Today’s day 348 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re heading back to Lincoln once more. PC Coaches have a small fleet of buses for service work in...

#AYearOfBuses 347: Liverpool – Crossens

13 Dec 2019

Welcome to day 347 on #AYearOfBuses – and a coastal bus route linking Southport with the city of Liverpool. Arriva’s 47 runs from Crossens, just...

#AYearOfBuses 346: St Bart’s – Lancaster Gate

12 Dec 2019

Welcome to day 346 on #AYearOfBuses – and a London bus route which well and truly defines ‘around the houses’! Metroline’s 46 runs from Lancaster...

#AYearOfBuses 345: Peckham – South Kensington

11 Dec 2019

From rags to riches, it’s day 345 on #AYearOfBuses! London’s route 345 takes you from Peckham, the home of Only Fools and Horses, to South...

#AYearOfBuses 344: Manchester – Stockport

10 Dec 2019

It’s day 344 on #AYearOfBuses – and we’re taking a look at a lesser-known bus route between Manchester and Stockport. Manchester Community Transport’s 44 takes...

#AYearOfBuses 343: Friern Barnet – London Bridge

09 Dec 2019

Today’s day 343 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at the 43 – London’s first all-electric double decker bus route. Courtesy of Metroline, the...

#AYearOfBuses 342: Liverpool Street – East Dulwich

08 Dec 2019

Welcome to day 342 on #AYearOfBuses – and London’s long-established route 42! Tracing its history all the way back to 1912, when it ran between...

#AYearOfBuses 341: Sale – Middleton

07 Dec 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a long-established bus route, now operated by a newcomer to Greater Manchester! Manchester’s route 41 has a long and distinguished...

#AYearOfBuses 340: Leeds – Seacroft

06 Dec 2019

We’re up to day 340 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re heading back to the city of Leeds. We haven’t been to Leeds for a while! First’s...

#AYearOfBuses 339: Mile Cross – Lakenham

05 Dec 2019

It’s day 339 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a peek at Norwich’s Purple Line 39. Purple Line 39 is part of a network of routes...

#AYearOfBuses 338: Victoria – Clapton Pond

04 Dec 2019

Can you believe it? We haven’t managed to feature London’s most frequent bus route yet on #AYearOfBuses. Well today, we’re putting that right. The 38...

#AYearOfBuses 337: Penicuik – Silverknowes

03 Dec 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at one of Lothian’s cross-city express routes – the 37. Along with bedfellows X37 and N37, the 37...

#AYearOfBuses 336: Lewisham – Battersea Park

02 Dec 2019

Today’s day 336 on #AYearOfBuses – and we’re taking a look at one of only two routes to be operated by bendybuses from their birth....

#AYearOfBuses 335: Clapham Junction – Shoreditch

01 Dec 2019

Hello and welcome to day 335 on #AYearOfBuses! We’ve got just 30 days left to go of our miniseries – and what an epic journey...

#AYearOfBuses 334: Lambton Worm

30 Nov 2019

Welcome to day 334 on #AYearOfBuses – and perhaps the route with the quirkiest branding we’ve ever featured! Go North East’s Lambton Worm buses 34...

#AYearOfBuses 333: Elephant & Castle – Tooting Broadway

29 Nov 2019

It’s all the threes! Welcome to day 333 on #AYearOfBuses – and London’s route 333. And the 333 started life in…2003! Running around every 10-12...

#AYearOfBuses 332: BlueLine Warrington – Widnes Market

28 Nov 2019

It’s day 332 on #AYearOfBuses, and guess what – we’re heading back to Warrington! For only the second time in our series, that is. Today’s...

#AYearOfBuses 331: Lincoln – Sleaford

27 Nov 2019

Welcome to day 331 on #AYearOfBuses, and to a place we haven’t visited very often in this series – Lincoln. Stagecoach’s 31 runs from the...

#AYearOfBuses 330: Stockport – Manchester Airport

26 Nov 2019

It’s day 330 on #AYearOfBuses! Today’s winner is a recently refreshed bus route linking Stockport with Manchester Airport. Stagecoach Manchester’s X30 runs from Stockport, in...

#AYearOfBuses 329: Wood Green – Trafalgar Square

25 Nov 2019

Day 329 on #AYearOfBuses takes us back to London, to look at a route we haven’t managed to feature yet – the 29. Today’s route...

#AYearOfBuses 328: Taunton – Minehead

24 Nov 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a scenic Somerset bus route which comes complete with its own real ale guide! First Buses of Somerset’s route 28...

#AYearOfBuses 327: Waltham Cross – Elsinge Estate

23 Nov 2019

We’re sticking with short bus routes today on #AYearOfBuses – and today’s winner is quite possibly one of the shortest in London! At a mere...

#AYearOfBuses 326: Llandudno – Great Orme

22 Nov 2019

It’s day 326 on #AYearOfBuses – and today’s winner is one of the shortest routes we’ve ever featured! Arriva Wales’ 26 runs from Llandudno town...

#AYearOfBuses 325: Ilford – City Thameslink

21 Nov 2019

For a long time, the 25 was London’s busiest bus route, until it was cut back recently and overtaken by the 18. It’s day 325...

#AYearOfBuses 324: Gold X24 Blaenavon – Newport

20 Nov 2019

We haven’t featured a Stagecoach Gold route for quite a while on #AYearOfBuses – so let’s take a look at one! Stagecoach’s Gold X24 links...

#AYearOfBuses 323: Trinity – Greenbank

19 Nov 2019

Yesterday, we featured a Lothian bus route – and today, we’re featuring another! It’s day 323 on #AYearOfBuses. Yesterday, we took a look at the...

#AYearOfBuses 322: Gyle Centre – Ocean Terminal

18 Nov 2019

It’s been a while since we featured a Scottish bus route on #AYearOfBuses, so today, we’re putting that right! The 22 is one of Edinburgh’s...

#AYearOfBuses 321: Sapphire Luton – Watford

17 Nov 2019

3, 2, 1! Counting down the days until the end of our series, today’s day 321 on #AYearOfBuses. Arriva’s Sapphire 321 is a high-profile bus...

#AYearOfBuses 320: the pops Warrington – Orford

16 Nov 2019

We’re 320 days in on #AYearOfBuses – and would you believe it, this is the first time we’ve featured a Warrington bus route! ‘The pops’...

#AYearOfBuses 319: Barnstaple – Hartland & Bude

15 Nov 2019

Today’s day 319 on #AYearOfBuses, and that’s cause enough to celebrate one of Devon’s most spectacular bus routes. Stagecoach South West’s 319 runs from the...

#AYearOfBuses 318: Euston – Sudbury

14 Nov 2019

Day 318 on #AYearOfBuses takes us back to the capital – and we’re taking a look at London’s second-busiest bus route. After the 25, that...

#AYearOfBuses 317: Rochdale – Manchester

13 Nov 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at one of Greater Manchester’s core bus routes – the 17. Now in the hands of newcomer Go...

#AYearOfBuses 316: Parkhead – Huddersfield

12 Nov 2019

It’s back to West Yorkshire for day 316 on #AYearOfBuses – and perhaps one of Britain’s most scenic bus turning circles? First Huddersfield’s 316 is...

#AYearOfBuses 315: MAX Newcastle – Berwick Upon Tweed

11 Nov 2019

We’re heading once more to the North East today on #AYearOfBuses – today’s winner is Arriva’s MAX X15. We’ve featured quite a few routes from...

#AYearOfBuses 314: Russell Square – Putney Heath

10 Nov 2019

It’s day 314 on #AYearOfBuses, so let’s rewind 300 days and take a look at a bus route we didn’t get chance to cover the...

#AYearOfBuses 313: Stockport – Manchester Airport

09 Nov 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at one of Manchester Airport’s many bus links to the suburbs of Greater Manchester. Stagecoach’s 313 links the...

#AYearOfBuses 312: South Croydon – Norwood Junction

08 Nov 2019

It’s day 312 on #AYearOfBuses, and following on from yesterday, we’re staying in London – but heading a little further south! Arriva London South’s route...

#AYearOfBuses 311: Fulham Broadway – Liverpool Street

07 Nov 2019

It’s day 311 on #AYearOfBuses – and there’s no way we could NOT feature one of London’s oldest and most famous bus routes in our...

#AYearOfBuses 310: Folkestone – Ashford

06 Nov 2019

Once more on #AYearOfBuses, we’re heading back to East Kent – we’re taking a look at Stagecoach’s route 10. Criss-crossing its way across Kent, the...

#AYearOfBuses 309: Balmaha – Alexandria or Bonhill

05 Nov 2019

We’re taking a trip through some of Scotland’s most beautiful scenery today on #AYearOfBuses – day 309 takes us to the eastern shore of Loch...

#AYearOfBuses 308: Newcastle – Blyth

04 Nov 2019

It’s day 308 on #AYearOfBuses, and that’s the perfect opportunity for us to take a look at one of the North East’s most scenic bus...

#AYearOfBuses 307: Greenline Bracknell – Heathrow T5

03 Nov 2019

Exactly 100 days ago, we featured Greenline 702 on #AYearOfBuses – now, it’s time to take a look at the second of Reading’s express routes....

#AYearOfBuses 306: Watford – Borehamwood

02 Nov 2019

It’s day 306 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re heading to the country – London Country, in fact! Sullivan Buses recently acquired five Alexander Dennis Enviro200s, new...

#AYearOfBuses 305: 503 Huddersfield – Halifax

01 Nov 2019

It’s been a while since we featured a First route on #AYearOfBuses – so today, we’re taking a look at West Yorkshire’s 503. The 503,...

#AYearOfBuses 304: Hawkhurst – Hastings

31 Oct 2019

Day 304 on #AYearOfBuses takes us back to the south coast – to Hastings, in fact, site of that famous battle in 1066. These days,...

#AYearOfBuses 303: Barry – Bridgend

30 Oct 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a mammoth – and it’s from an operator we’ve yet to feature in this series! N.A.T Group’s 303 takes a...

#AYearOfBuses 302: Hemel Hempstead – Welwyn Garden City

29 Oct 2019

We’re sticking with Hertfordshire today, to take a look at a relative newcomer to the scene – Arriva Herts & Essex’s 302. The 302 is...

#AYearOfBuses 301: Aylesbury – Watford

28 Oct 2019

It’s day 301 on #AYearOfBuses, and we’re taking a look at a one-time London Transport country route. Back in July 1948, London Transport’s route 301,...

#AYearOfBuses 300: Guildford Electrics

27 Oct 2019

It’s day 300 on #AYearOfBuses! To celebrate, we’re taking a look at an all-electric Park & Ride network in Surrey. Stagecoach’s Guildford Electrics fleet hit...

#AYearOfBuses 299: VT99 Milton Keynes – Luton Airport

26 Oct 2019

Time for something a little different! Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses still technically exists, but it’s a shadow of its former self. Stagecoach’s VT99 (now the...

#AYearOfBuses 298: Inverness – Thurso

25 Oct 2019

Fancy a tipple? Stagecoach in the Highlands’ X98 can take you to one of Scotland’s most famous distilleries. The X98 links the city of Inverness,...

#AYearOfBuses 297: Platinum Birmingham – Walsall

24 Oct 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, it’s the 997 – the West Midland’s highest-numbered bus route. …and quite possibly, one of the highest-numbered bus routes in the country?...

#AYearOfBuses 296: Manchester – Simister

23 Oct 2019

One of Manchester’s most established bus routes, the 96 is today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses. Though it’s been through several variations over the years, including running...

#AYearOfBuses 295: Clapham Junction – Ladbroke Grove

22 Oct 2019

It’s one of West London’s busiest bus routes, running through the heart of Hammersmith and Fulham – today on #AYearOfBuses, it’s the 295. Running North-South...

#AYearOfBuses 294: Cardiff – Barry

21 Oct 2019

From Carlisle yesterday, to Cardiff today – we’re heading back to South Wales for day 294 on #AYearOfBuses. Cardiff Bus 94 is part of a...

#AYearOfBuses 293: Carlisle – Bowness on Solway

20 Oct 2019

It’s day 293 on #AYearOfBuses, and today, we’re headed to the far reaches of North West England. Stagecoach Cumbria and North Lancashire’s 93 runs from...

#AYearOfBuses 292: Colindale – Borehamwood

19 Oct 2019

Fancy becoming a TV star? Well, today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses could help you to get there! At least, until those cheques start rolling in, anyway....

#AYearOfBuses 291: Crawley – Tunbridge Wells

18 Oct 2019

We’re up to day 291 on #AYearOfBuses, and once more, we’re off to Go-Ahead territory. More specifically, Metrobus territory. The 291 is one of the...

#AYearOfBuses 290: Deal – Dover

17 Oct 2019

Day 290 on #AYearOfBuses takes us once more to Kent – to the major port of Dover, in fact! Though Stagecoach’s 90 links the former...

ADL launches Class II interurban Enviro500

17 Oct 2019

Alexander Dennis has unveiled a European Class II interurban version of its gargantuan three-axle Enviro500 double deck bus at Busworld in Brussels. ADL launched the...

#AYearOfBuses 289: Potterspury – Milton Keynes

16 Oct 2019

Previously a Stagecoach route, today on #AYearOfBuses we’re taking a look at Milton Keynes’ 89. Previously a Stagecoach route, though no more. A winding, half-rural,...

#AYearOfBuses 288: Ipswich Reds Ipswich – Stowmarket

15 Oct 2019

Day 288 on #AYearOfBuses takes us to pastures new – we’re heading to Ipswich! First Eastern Counties’ 88 forms part of the Ipswich Reds frequent...

#AYearOfBuses 287: Barking – Rainham

14 Oct 2019

We’re staying in London….East London, in fact, for day 287 on #AYearOfBuses! Stagecoach’s 287 runs form Barking, right on the edge of East London (around...

#AYearOfBuses 286: Stratford – Romford

13 Oct 2019

Day 286 on #AYearOfBuses takes us to London once more, for a look at one of East London’s busiest bus routes. Running roughly parallel with...

#AYearOfBuses 285: Bangor – Llanberis

12 Oct 2019

Time for a change of scenery! We’re taking a trip to Snowdonia for day 285 on #AYearOfBuses. Gwynfor Coaches route 85 is a stunning, scenic...

#AYearOfBuses 284: red4 Bury – Ramsbottom

11 Oct 2019

It’s day 284 on #AYearOfBuses! We’re taking a look at a recently revitalised route from Rosso. Red 4 (previously known as the 484…which is why...

#AYearOfBuses 283: 383 Barnet – Woodside Park

10 Oct 2019

Given that #AYearOfBuses is only running until the end of 2019, there won’t be a day 383 – but we couldn’t leave out Uno’s only...

#AYearOfBuses 282: X82 Eldon Square – Throckley

09 Oct 2019

We’re heading back to Newcastle for day 282 on #AYearOfBuses! Stagecoach’s X82 runs from the city’s Eldon Square bus station to Throckley, where the main...

#AYearOfBuses 281: Hounslow – Tolworth

08 Oct 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is the holder of a very special award! London United’s 281 runs from Hounslow, in Outer London, heading due south to...

#AYearOfBuses 280: Preston – Skipton

07 Oct 2019

A recently-saved bus route linking Lancashire with North Yorkshire is today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses. Starting at Preston’s brutalist Grade-II listed bus station, the 280, from...

#AYearOfBuses 279: Gunnislake – Okehampton

06 Oct 2019

We’re taking a trip down to Devon for day 279 on #AYearOfBuses, for a look at a scenic summer Sundays-only bus route. After a three...

#AYearOfBuses 278: Ruislip – Heathrow Airport Central

05 Oct 2019

It’s a first for us today on #AYearOfBuses – today’s featured route doesn’t actually exist yet! 6 brand new ‘outer London’ bus routes are coming...

#AYearOfBuses 277: X77 Glasgow – Ayr

04 Oct 2019

It’s another scenic high-spec coach route from Stagecoach West Scotland for day 277 on #AYearOfBuses! Stagecoach’s X77 links the city of Glasgow with Prestwick Airport...

#AYearOfBuses 276: Tottenham Hale – Waterloo

03 Oct 2019

Today’s day 276 on #AYearOfBuses, and our featured bus route is one of the capital’s most famous. The 76 starts its journey from Tottenham Hale,...

#AYearOfBuses 275: Oxford – High Wycombe

02 Oct 2019

Red Roses’ scenic bus route through the Chiltern Hills is today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses! Linking Oxford with Wheatley, Stokenchurch and High Wycombe, the 275 takes...

#AYearOfBuses 274: Angel – Lancaster Gate

01 Oct 2019

We’re heading back to London today – it’s day 274 on #AYearOfBuses! The 274 is a compact, central London bus route which has grown considerably...

#AYearOfBuses 273: Bolton – Rawtenstall

30 Sep 2019

Today on #AYearOfBuses, we’re taking a look at a scenic bus route from Greater Manchester into the heart of Rossendale. Rosso’s route 273 runs once...

#AYearOfBuses 272: Sheffield – Castleton

29 Sep 2019

Today’s winner on #AYearOfBuses is a scenic bus route across Derbyshire…with a rather tight fit along the way! The 272 runs from Sheffield Hathersage, Bamford,...

#AYearOfBuses 271: Highgate Village – Moorgate

28 Sep 2019

We’re taking another trip to London today on #AYearOfBuses! Changed little since its inception in 1960, London’s route 271 links affluent commuters from Highgate Village...

#AYearOfBuses 270: East Grinstead – Brighton

27 Sep 2019