#AYearOfBuses 16: Pudsey – Leeds – Whinmoor
Leeds is famous for its array of cross-city metro routes – and the 16 is one of the longest of them all. Running East-West, right across the city, the 16 connects Pudsey and Bramley in the West with the city centre, before heading over to Gipton, Seacroft and Whinmoor in the East. In 2001, the […]
#AYearOfBuses 8: Bolton – Manchester
With an illustrious history of over 90 years, Greater Manchester’s route 8 is next up for #AYearOfBuses. The 8 runs from Bolton into the heart of Manchester city centre, linking Farnworth, Kearsley and Pendleton with the city along the way. It’s one of Manchester’s oldest routes, and back in the day, it was one of the Manchester […]
#AYearOfBuses 7: The Star Portsmouth – Wecock Farm
Plain sailing into day 7 of #AYearOfBuses, we’re heading to the South Coast today for First’s The Star. The Star launched in 2013 with a fleet of 26 new Wright Streetlites, wearing a deep purple livery and a new name reflecting the identity of the city of Portsmouth. In fact, each bus is named after […]
Transpennine Express gets the North singing with ‘Where Next’?
Transpennine Express has launched its summer campaign for 2018. ‘Where Next?’ launched across web, social media and TV at the end of May, with a 30 second commercial which sees real ‘locals’ from across the North of England and Scotland serving up tuneful tips on what their city has to offer. Sung to the tune […]
A train of many colours – the 10 best UK rail liveries (since privatisation)
Back in the days of British Rail, our rail network was shaped by one identity – albeit a well crafted, well thought out and well developed one – but still, just largely one identity. Throughout the 60s and 70s, rationalising design and standardising looks was the name of the game – and even though BR […]
10 UK bus liveries we really, really miss
The UK bus scene in 2016 is the most colourful you’ll find anywhere in the world. There are some truly stunning liveries to be found adorning vehicles in and around the country’s towns and cities at the moment, but what about those which are no longer with us? Whether the operator simply went through a […]
Govia wins Thameslink franchise
Govia has won the franchise to operate the TSGN (Thameslink, Southern and Great Northern) franchise from September. The Go-Ahead and Keolis joint venture fended off competition from both First Group and Stagecoach to secure the deal which will combine what is currently the First Capital Connect, Southern and the Gatwick Express franchises. In a press release, […]
Transport on Trend: colours everywhere!
Over the coming weeks and months, our Transport on Trend series will bring you bang up to date with what’s hot – and what’s not – in the transport world. You might love some of it – you’ll probably hate lots of it. Either way, we’d love you to join in the fun! Drop us a tweet with your transport […]
First Group to sell eight London bus depots
First Group today announced they are to sell all but one of their London bus depots. In a press release, First broke the news of the sale of five of its depots to Metroline, with a further three to Transit Systems Group. The future of its Dagenham depot is unclear. The move is reminiscent of […]
Firsts’ UK bus app – road tested
First UK bus launched a nationwide ‘First Bus’ app this month after trials in Hampshire. Transportdesigned tested their latest digital offering. On opening the app, ‘first’ impressions are, well…good! The app boasts an impressively quick response rate, taking literally milliseconds to load the home screen on our iPhone 4 (editor’s note – due for an […]