Come Hull And High Water (1)

It would probably be fair to say that buses in Hull have offered a relatively stable service for many years.

Hull Corporation Transport was renowned for its unusual livery with swirly stripes, arguably unique amongst municipal operators. It was carried by trolleybuses ...

... and, to use Derby Corporation's enigmatic descriptor, oiler buses.

The style was modernised (boring-ised) in later years ...

... but model collectors will know that before the swirly bits, some vehicles had a much more traditional style with three stripes and plenty of liming, as was the proud style of many council owned transport undertakings.

Country buses have been (mostly) in the hands of East Yorkshire since 1926.

East Yorkshire Motor Services was originally made up of two companies, Lee & Beaulah, set up by Ernest John Lee ...

... and Hull & District Motor Services, set up by H.A. Harvey. In 1926, British Electric Traction (BET) bought the two companies, forming East Yorkshire Motor Services. BET, of couse, eventually became part of the National Bus Company.

Until 1972, the livery of East Yorkshire was dark blue and primrose.

Enthusiasts will immediately recognise the strange roof line, necessary to get buses through the North Bar at Beverley.

Even with the special roof, it was a very tight fit. Double decks no longer go that way, sadly.

The livery was then changed to blue and white, in the National Bus Company corporate layout. This proved to be short-lived, with the livery being replaced by National Bus Company poppy red.

In February 1987, East Yorkshire was sold in a management buyout.

Each operator has their own area of "greater" Hull, based, for Stagecoach, on the "city" area ...

... albeit extended into new housing development as here at Bransholme. Here is the above area in the 1930s ...

... and the same area today!

The Wawne Drain (upper left) serves a a point of reference. The "Drain" does not seem to drain very much these days, and, as we all know, a few hundred yards further east it becomes the tinkling limpid waters of the Foredyke Stream ...

... or maybe not!

Meanwhile, East Yorkshire have followed development of former villages as at Cottingham ...

... and Willerby.

Sorting the above lot out must be fun for a newcomer! fbb will not try.

And the list above does not include the 151 and 154.

Whatever angst may have beset the network in the past, the two current operators seem to exist with mutual respect

For the record, Stagecoach has a map exclusively of their own routes, whilst GoAhead East Yorkshire sensibly reproduces the excellent comprehensive map from a bus guide leaflet created by Hull City Council.

The Other thing that is really good about Hull is the Paragon Interchange. Here ALL greater Hull buses depart from a line of stands literally within the curtilage of Hull railway station.

We shall pay a visit tomorrow.

And The Puzzle Picture?

According to a twitterer it is a London Underground themed toilet in the Netherlands. But the tweet writer does not say where.

The note points out that the decoration includes "one of our departure boards" and originates from an operation called "UK Departure Boards". (web site here)

The company makes a range of ersatz working station departure displays for which the purchaser can choose station and format from a wide range of options.

The web site explains a little about the company.

Being a bit of a spoilsport and anxious to keep his lithe and muscular frame well covered, fbb would prefer to wear clothes when considering that they are "not a full time commercial operation".

 A Paragon of Virtue in Hull : Wednesday 5th August