It's A River!
It should trickle through a town on the river, and thus be called Toneton - but thanks to a vagaries of the English language and changes in pronunciation, the town is now called Taunton.
It's in Zummerset "where the zider apples grow", two of which adorn the local bus company logo.
But do not be deceived, dear reader, this attractive logo does not belong to a Taunton independent. It is First Bus in a cunning disguise, a disguise that is now wearing very thin indeed.
At one time, the company had its own webs site, attractive and well managed, but it was not long, in bus history terms, before it was all washed up into First Bus corporate grimness.
Take one of its 'prestige' services from Taunton to Minehead, actually the only one that might be called 'prestige'!
To doff its cap to bus!rail integration, this service calls at the railway station inbound ...
... big deal, all buses do; but the 28 also diverts to the south side of the station building outbound.
All other buses northbound stop on the main road ...
... as they have done for many a long year.
Here is the station entrance south side ...
... which has also gained a more trendy portico. Once the 28 had its own exclusive exit from platform 2 ...
... but that exclusivity has been lost to more development adjacent.
The 28 runs via Butlins to Minehead, and, when trains are running, dips into Bishops Lyderard Station on the 20 mile long West Somerset Railway.
Once, in the past, the 28 was all corporate First with Barbie livery ...
... followed by the even less appealing son of Barbie.
Then came the apples ...
... followed by route branding for the 28.
The Quantock Line name refers to the range of hills in the north of the county. But the apples are still there above theire driver's window.
But now ...
... corporate First rules the day.
But, as an alternative to waiting for a bus, you could walk into town. But don't aim for the bus station ...
... because, despite Buses of Somerset branding, a nice little snack bar and a comfortable waiting room, First showed no interest in welcoming their customers and closed it down.
The building and land remained however, and the Council has bought it with the aim of re-opening this excellent facility.
But it is the walk from station to town that is the concern if tomorrow's blog.
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Try Praying
No, not another fbb preachy blog appendage but a public transport poster campaign. There might be a bit of spirituality later, though!
The blue (sometimes purple) side and rear end adverts are popping up all over the nation. Here we have London Buses, First, Arriva, Lothian, West Midlands and Stagecoach.
fbb couldn't fine a picture of a GoAhead bus with the advert.
Anyway, you can send for a booklet specially designed for people who don't pray and have never considered the idea.
The prayers are much more honest and far less "religious" than the sort of thing that you get in most churches.
But I don't believe in God?
What we believe is irrelevant! It is what happens that matters.
If we begin to pray sincerely and honestly, things will happen!
If you would like a copy of the booklet ...
FREE!!!!
... the fbbs will post you a copy. Just send your address (without a name if you wish) to:-
fbb@xephos.com
No salesman will call : no further stuff will be sent!
The booklets are currently on order for delivery at fbb mansions.
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It's a bogie, innit?
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Next Taunton blog : Weds 15th April
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