Municipal Pride
The traditional and historic livery was richly applied and smartly cared for; the original logo was unmistakable. It is seen on the side of this AEC, built to London RT specification ...
Such luxuries as a posh livery soon faded as the decline in passenger numbers forced economies on the Council ...
... but, at least, the coat of arms remained!
Needless to say a timetable book was an essential must-have for locals, including a route map and street map combined ...
... simple timetable guides because services were all frequent ...
... and, inevitably, those delightful adverts for products long consigned to happy memories ...
... here for "pure new" milk in 1937.
fbb can find no date for this, more extensive route map (below).
And IN COLOUR! 
The map would have been hand drawn by Corporation staff; one page for the red lines but drawn in black, and one page for the black printing. Two printing blocks would then have been etched using noxious chemicals. Two passes of the paper would be needs, one for each colour.
Now, you can draw a map in full colour on the computer ...
... and let the clever stuff do all the hard work!
Then came Merseyside PTE ...
... and now we have moved on to "franchising". An anonymous Stagecoach has taken on most of the routes that were operated by Arriva, leaving the blue buses parked in their misery at Haydock racecourse.
Merseytravel Prospects
Yesterday fbb looked at the multiplicity of NON franchised routes that served St Helens or just impinged on the greater St Helens district.
Steve Rotheram and his chums have been made significant changes, mostly improvements, to st Helens timetables. The implementation of these changes has produced a much tidier network of "town" services with well grouped route numbers.; just like the old Corporation network - well, nearly.
fbb will take a quick gallop through the alterations, in a way, the detail is only important to local bus passengers, but the scheme does illustrate the potential of the franchising system to benefit users.
So, here we go ...
23 : Town Centre Circular - IMPROVEMENT
Every hour - linking the town centre with two big supermarkets. Additional journeys have been added since F-day.
24 : Town Centre, Hard Lane - IMPROVED
25 : Town Centre : Eccleston
25A : Town Centre : Rosley Drive
IMPROVED
25A - every 60
25 is new
25A was 153 operated by Huyton Travel
Services operate a coordinated timetable.
26, 27, NOT USED
28 : Town Centre : Laffak - Ashurst Drive
REVISED
NO "METRO" PICTURE FOUND
every 60
Monday to Friday reduced from every 30
Saturday service introduced
Formerly operated by Hattons
This is a cross town service ...
... from Laffak to Widnes.
Was service 17 operated by Arriva.
29 : Town Centre : Rainhill
WITHDRAWN
30 : Laffak - Town Centre - Farnworth - Widnes
IMPROVED
As 30, Saturday service is increased: Evening and Sunday buses to Laffak added.
To Be Continued
as part of Weekend Variety blogs.
SPOILER ALERT : some St Helens town services are UNCHANGED!
Next Saturday Variety blog : Sat 26 sept
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