Collapse of Cooperation?
Post deregulation, Oxford became a hotbed of competition between Stagecoach and Oxford (City) Bus with both operators vying for business along the main corridors. Along came some sort of co-operation which developed as the Smart Zone. Recently there has been a further rationalisation whereby some routes (most?) have become one operator only. So the busy Kidlington route is now exclusively Stagecoach number 2.
You know that, obviously (?) because there is no longer a route 2 on the Oxford Bus list of Smart Zone services ...
... whereas the 1/5 and the 8 both admit to joint operation.
Currently, return tickets are interavailable over common sections of route. But not for much longer.
GoAhead's Oxford Bus has made this announcement:-
It would appear that the reason for this lack of cooperation might be that Stagecoach are no longer offering return tickets. A similar "commercial decision" has been made in Northamptonshire. We should therefore be able to confirm this from the Stagecoach web site.
Singles & Return
Ideal for the occasional trip
Stagecoach single and return bus tickets are great if you're an occasional traveller. You can buy single and return tickets on board from your driver (or even a local ticket agent in some areas). With contactless payments now available on all our buses, you don't need to worry about finding the correct change!
But with less than 10 days to go - not a word from the company that is making the change. In Northampton, Stagecoach proudly announced that many fares will go down under the new system (true, but MOST returns - or their replacement - will be more expensive!) so maybe that is why the company is leaving their passengers to enjoy a jolly May Day surprise.
Route Branding Revolution?
In the heady horrific days of post deregulation competition, Stagecoach did quite a bit of route branding in Sheffield. Much of this came to an end with the Sheffield Bus Partnership, but it was fun while it lasted. Here is an 87 to High Green ..
... which became route 1/1A in the "Partnership" and has now been de-partnered. The 88 ...
... is largely unchanged, as is the 120.
Meanwhile, First Bus, in a dynamic response to this bright and eye-catching branding, did ...
... not a lot! Then came the partnership (stop laughing - please) and we all thought that everything might become "Buses for Sheffield".
Now we have a smart new Sheffield livery which has recently begun to appear on single decks.
They have a variety of coloured "additions" along the rearmost diagonal line. But the opportunity has been missed to try a little route branding.
But that soon fizzled out.
Until now, that is.
Take an X1, a rare and now demoted brand (once hijacked from the X78 ...
... "Sheffield's 20" with the same colours but a different set of diagonals. There are more diagonals ...
... in the multi-coloured route summary. fbb is unsure about the choice of names. The North Gen Hptl does not appear and it probably should ...
... as it is an important "traffic objective".
The Historic Sheffield Transport destination was "Yew Lane" (service 89) ... 
... "SPECIAL" was the official destination for buses running back to their depot.
On the southern side of the city centre fbb thinks Norton Lees should get a more prominent mention.
The original route turned right at the top of Warminster Road as route 42.
But fbb has no idea why this "ordinary" Sheffield cross-city route, running every 15 minutes, should be chosen for a route brand.
It will be interesting to see if others follow, and, more to the point, whether the branded buses will stick to the correct route.
Here is Stagecoach in Gloucestershire. Note the powerful branding of the motorway maintenance liveried double decker ...
... stunning, innit? ... and notice the route and destination of the service 10 bus.
Another First Kernow Brand?
First bought out competitive bus operator Truronian (paying over the odds for it) and now uses the name for private hire and coaching. Previously the open topper was in the latest Cornwall holiday route livery.
And before that it was boring Barbie!
But before that, and before it became topless in a bridge bash, it was with City Line in Bristol, the city routes of its "partner" Badgerline.
That just shows how old Truronian's latest luxury addition is!
Oddities
One of the joys of the interwebnet is that there are always folk keen to publish their amusing pictures. These brought a broad smile to fbb's toil-worn visage.
Lost in Translation!
Many years ago, fbb bought a cassette tape deck and speakers, used as a Lego store by young sons. He was told to remove the packaging and AHROW IT AWAY.
Red/Green Colour "Blindness"
What To Do In An Emergency
Please don't have one!
Disabled Disabled Notice!
Clearly (?) this is the standard "Wheelchair" sign painted on concrete paving blocks. Somebody didn't quite "get" the idea. Their brain was - erm - disabled!
Amazing Maze
This appeared in a magazine in the US. Because the solution is so complicated, he who posted the picture has outlined the tricky solution.
Well done for solving it!
Next 219 Is Doing Fine blog : Monday 25th April
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