I was munching some chips with Chris Speed, General Manager at First a couple of weeks ago. I mentioned that every time I saw a green fronted Streetlite in Norwich the more I thought it suited them. I really like the Orange and Yellow Presidents too from the outside at least. However I'm not sure I'm ever going to be as complimentary about the latest arrivals at Norwich - Streetdecks so pink even Julian Clary and Alan Carr would think twice about getting too close to them. There is pink, shocking pink, and then there's this pink. Conveniently First published a pic on Twitter this afternoon of the initial two to be delivered, 35193 and 35194.
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| The very very pink new Streetdecks 35193/4 |
I say conveniently as although I knew a fortnight ago the Streetdecks were arriving today I had to be in Ipswich for far more disagreeable reasons. However despite Ipswich now being one of the less interesting places bus wise I did see a couple of interesting sights, both belonging to the ever expanding Suffolk Norse. The first was operating a service to my embarrassment I didn't even knew existed. I clearly have never been at Old Cattle Market at 0935 on a Wednesday before as that is when the A14 to Cambridge departs. This once a week service does Ipswich to Cambridge in 105 minutes, giving passengers over 4 and a half hours to look around the ancient city, or if they have their priorities right taking a trip on the busway. The return journey leaves at 1600 arriving back in Ipswich at 1800. I have no idea what the regular vehicle is on this service, but today it was Enviro 400 YX63 ZXH.
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| Suffolk Norse E400 YX63 ZXH in bright sunshine at OCM Ipswich |
Suffolk Norse have also taken over a couple of infrequent local services in Ipswich, including the 163 to Levington. Optare Solo YJ55 BGV is a recent acquisition from Compass Travel. While searching for the history of the Solo I came across this post from East Norfolk Bus Blog which has a pic of the Solo in Compass livery. Click
here to view the post.
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| Suffolk Norse Optare Solo YJ55 BGV |
I understand Borderbus have a decker out on the 146 this week, as the seats for latest arrival BB60 BUS have yet to arrive, and some of you may have heard that this morning there was a nasty RTA between a bus and van on the A12 at Wrentham. The bus involved was Lowestoft's Volvo B7 ALX400 30889 W744 DWX which from what I can work out was running empty to Bernard Matthews. The accident happened at 0550 and it is reported both drivers were injured, the van driver seriously. That air ambulance attended and the A12 was closed for around 8 hours, causing traffic chaos and diversion to other bus services. Our thoughts go to all concerned and lets hope both drivers make a speedy recovery.
Great planning by Suffolkonboard. The A14 gets back into Ipswich at 6pm,5 mins after the the last 118 has left.familiar story isn't it? When Stephenson's did something along those lines, it was quickly pulled tho wasn't advertised particularly well in the first place. No good running services if people miss their connections.we've been here before havnt we?????
ReplyDeleteIt did seem to get back a bit late but I guess they have to juggle getting back from Cambridge, which is a fair journey, with giving people enough time there to justify them sitting on a bus for nearly 4 hours.
DeleteIt gets back in time for me to get the last 64 but Suffolk Links will have long stopped so it would require a taxi from Sax. Didn't there used to be a 118/9 after 1755? Frustrating to miss it by 5 mins I agree. Suggest bribing driver on morning run to delay 1755 till you get in!
You are correct.last bus used to be 6.35/6.40 when far east travel had it. Galloway stuck to that timetable for a few weeks but it was soon revised much to the the annoyance of several people. Not much chance they will put it back even tho 113/114s run later.frustrating.
ReplyDeleteThe pink really goes well with the yellow wing mirror backs doesn't it? Almost as good co-ordination as the timetables. Bus companies couldn't manage the 0 to -5 minutes "connections" better if they tried. I've yet to find the exception. Good luck with asking for a delay when you want one (rather than when you don't). The TC put the kibosh on that one.
ReplyDeleteI think Uno invented this fashion for pink, but at least had the decency to make it dusty, or dirty (as I prefer).
Was just wondering are these to be kept in a medicinal compound.........
ReplyDeleteDunno, but whoever chose that colour scheme should be! Wonder what the passengers will make of it? I have a basic rule of thumb: if the bus (or whatever) looks ridiculous, the service probably is too. We probably shouldn't judge a book by its cover, but we all do.
DeleteI think you will find that this colour was used as it's breastfeeding cancer pink, and it serves a hospital route. I think praise should be deserved for the people involved in choosing it. Sorry you all hate it and think the people involved should be in a medicinal compound and the colour looks horrible, but I suppose they should be shot down for trying to work with local bodies and raise awareness for such a horrible condition....
ReplyDeleteBreast cancer (silly autocorrect)
DeleteReally good point. But in that case why not say supporting/show the Breast Cancer logo so it's a clear message? Showing support for a worthy charity is good marketing too. Confusion - leaving passengers asking "what the heck?" - perhaps not so much.
DeleteWow I never knew Mary Poppins rad my blog - practically perfect in every way!!!
DeleteFor the record I have been commenting on this pink to the high and mighty at First for some weeks now - ever since the first pics appeared and not one of them has ever mentioned a link with Breast Cancer Research. I have asked around other people in the know and they have all said the first they knew is when Zak posted about it this morning. I smell something fishy but the facts will out in the end.
What next? Poppy Appeal Red Line, Marie Curie Yellow Line? Save The Planet Green Line?
If indeed this is the reason that pink was chosen, and full branding and publicity follow then no one will champion it more than me. However, since I knew about the possibility of the Streetdecks before the order had been made you think someone would have mentioned it. Certainly not the response I got when I asked about that pink, which was simply "so it doesn't get confused with the Purple Line".
Finally the title of this post "Silly The Pink" is a parody of the 1968 novelty hit by The Scaffold "Lily The Pink", who invented Medicinal Compound, hence the references to it. You can hear the song and read the lyrics by pasting this link, and then you might understand that no one was being nasty.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=u7pHDoJrrzA
Whilst supporting good causes is great it should be noted that it's not even the same pink as the breast cancer charity actually uses! Their pink is darker and would look much better on these.
DeleteThe only coloured front that looks good so far is the green one...
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ReplyDeleteWhen will Ioswich get new buses?? I really am surprised that there has been no new investment in Ipswich and given how busy some routes are like 75-77 why not? Surely some new deckers on that route would work great against the unreliable trainline? It's disappointing that the x7 has not been increased, with no branding etc. It's like first have dropped the baton with Ipswich again :(
ReplyDeleteI agree totally about the unreliable train line and thought the X7 was potentially a great idea, in fact suggested it myself way before it happened. Like you I would have thought it would have been branded up and seriously marketed to grab the Summer day trippers.
DeleteHowever new deckers are an issue at Ipswich. The low roof at the depot means that only low height deckers can be based there. There were plans to remove the roof causing the problem but no date for the work has ever been given. We are lucky then, that the Ipswich ALX400's are in amazing condition for their age, and in my humble opinion are just as good, if not better than most new buses on the market.
You travel up to Norwich in 6 months, ride a Streetwreck and you'll return to Ipswich pining for the ALX400's
Ah cool I understand. There is just some short sightedness really as they will have to replace eventually won't they? It seems everywhere else is getting new buses apart from Ipswich! It's a shame they didn't market the X7 better really, I work in Felixstowe and always see one heading to Ipswich Just before 8am packed!
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