#AYearOfBuses 213: Canvey – Southend
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, Canvey Island, with the seaside resort of Southend-on-Sea. Separated from the mainland of Essex by a network of creeks. Canvey Island lies only just above sea level, and is prone […]
#AYearOfBuses 207: Greenline London – Legoland Windsor
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 of the last bastions of the once-extensive Greenline network of express bus routes into London. Up until recently it was ran by First Beeline, until they pulled out (and indeed, […]
#AYearOfBuses 197: Llanelli – Carmarthen
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 the very mid-Welsh-sounding villages of Trimsaran, Carwe, Pontiets, Ponthenri and Meinciau. Along the way, it stops by Ffos Las Racecourse, set in 600 acres of beautiful Carmarthenshire countryside, built at […]
#AYearOfBuses 187: Xpress Glasgow – Waterside
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 Glasgow’s Xpress X87, along with its sister, the X85, connect Kirkintilloch, just northeast of Glasgow on the Forth & Clyde Canal, with Buchanan bus station fast via the M80 motorway. […]
#AYearOfBuses 184: Manchester – Huddersfield
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 Manchester city centre with Oldham, Saddleworth in Tameside, and Huddersfield in West Yorkshire, taking a scenic route over the Saddleworth moors. On its long, winding route over the moors, the […]
#AYearOfBuses 182: Shaw – Manchester
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 centre, to Newton Heath, New Moston, Chadderton, Royton and Shaw, with peak time extensions to Rochdale. Since Metrolink launched between Manchester, Oldham and Rochdale, the 182 has been locked in […]
#AYearOfBuses 172: Mendip Xplorer Paulton – Bath
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 at another of the Mendip Xplorers, the 126. Whilst the 126 connects Wells with the coast, the 172 links the town with the city of Bath, alongside the 173 and […]
Strathclyde rides again
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 to hit the streets They say that a truly classic look never really goes out of fashion, and that’s the case in 2019 as First Glasgow marks the 125th anniversary […]
#AYearOfBuses 144: The Salt Road Birmingham – Worcester
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 of Droitwich. It’s believed the salt deposits at Droitwich were being exploited in the Iron Age, possibly earlier. Salt was a valuable resource in Roman times and the Romans came […]
First Bus teases identity for new Scottish operations
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 copy alongside the graphic – which references Arthur’s Seat – practically gives the game away. The teaser image, which simply shows a purple background tearing away to reveal orange underneath, […]