Ugliest Bus Liveries

[swifty]

No, i think the closest thing to it would be the current First Aberdeen Coach Hire livery but even that is entirely different.

This old Truronian livery is closer to the Dynamic Lines livery than the Aberdeen version, although they look pretty much identical but Aberdeen is obviousoly a white base. It's a shame this version only made it onto two vehicles.


First South West No. 20556 : TT04TRU by Buses and Trucks, on Flickr

 

[swifty]

I think First Somerset & Avon's short lived 'Devastatin Dave' livery for the Bath Uni services was pretty poor and made the First Urban livery look much worse!


First Somerset & Avon 10174 WX55HVZ by harryjaipowell, on Flickr

I also thought the old Express Yourself livery for the Weston to Bristol services was pretty poor as well, but I know others quite liked it. I didn't sit well on the E400s for me and the bradning on the upper screen reduced forward visibility.


First Somerset Avon 33415 WA56FTN Congresbury 9/6/12 by Mark Amis, on Flickr

 

[Tetchytyke]

Go Whippet...shudder

Boring, but I've seen worse!

https://www.go-whippet.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Local-Buses.jpg

 

[tspaul26]

Boring, but I've seen worse!

https://www.go-whippet.co.uk/wp-content/uploads/2016/06/Local-Buses.jpg

Oh, that’s not the old Go Whippet livery: that’s the ‘improved’ Whippet livery

 

[Jordan Adam]

This old Truronian livery is closer to the Dynamic Lines livery than the Aberdeen version, although they look pretty much identical but Aberdeen is obviousoly a white base. It's a shame this version only made it onto two vehicles.


First South West No. 20556 : TT04TRU by Buses and Trucks, on Flickr

The vinyl sections there actually do look similar, it's a shame they couldn't have some "Aberdeen" text where "Truronian" is there. I actually prefer the Aberdeen version, the white base gives it a more modern appearance.

Although it's nothing special i do quite like the current Aberdeen scheme.

First Aberdeen 23502 (W4FAL)

First Aberdeen 23502 (W4FAL) at King Street Depot Scania K340EB4 with Caetano Levante C49FLt bodywork new to First Cymru as 23502 (FJ56PFG) in December 2006 VIN: YS2K4X20001855018 Body No.: FO64043045 Photo taken by and copyright Noel Baxendale.

www.flickr.com

 

[upasalmon]

I think Blackpool Transport is pretty horrible; very dark grey with an insipid yellow swoosh!

Agreed. Bring back the green and cream, applied in a modernized way. Bus Vannins livery reminds me of Liverpool s unpainted buses of the 1950s and early 60s great when new but after a while becomes dirty . BV should revive the primrose yellow and maroon used by Douglas Corporation, applied in an updated style - a distinctive livery that shouts ISLE OF MAN ( or Ellan Vannin).

 

[duncombec]

I don't understand why bus companies don't take a leaf out of car manufacturer's books, and just paint everything a single colour, top to bottom and back to front, with no numbering, lettering or distinguishing features at all.

I mean, it works for the 31.7 million cars on the road (source: https://www.racfoundation.org/motoring-faqs/mobility#a1)

<removes tongue from cheek>

 

[Andyh82]

Agreed. Bring back the green and cream, applied in a modernized way.

In my opinion they should have kept Metro Coastlines, it was bright and breezy, and brash, just like Blackpool is itself.

The trams carrying the council livery, like the dust carts, isn’t great either.

 

[RustySpoons]

I think First Somerset & Avon's short lived 'Devastatin Dave' livery for the Bath Uni services was pretty poor and made the First Urban livery look much worse!


First Somerset &amp; Avon 10174 WX55HVZ by harryjaipowell, on Flickr

What is Devastatin Dave all about? Is it some sort of attempt to appear youthful and 'one of the kids' in the way that bus companies often do whilst actually coming across as desperately cringeworthy and tragic?

 

[D2007wsm]

I think First Somerset & Avon's short lived 'Devastatin Dave' livery for the Bath Uni services was pretty poor and made the First Urban livery look much worse!


First Somerset &amp; Avon 10174 WX55HVZ by harryjaipowell, on Flickr

I also thought the old Express Yourself livery for the Weston to Bristol services was pretty poor as well, but I know others quite liked it. I didn't sit well on the E400s for me and the bradning on the upper screen reduced forward visibility.


First Somerset Avon 33415 WA56FTN Congresbury 9/6/12 by Mark Amis, on Flickr

The ExpressYourself or ExposeYourself as it was known livery which was carried on E400s, Darts and Streetlites, was introduced in conjunction with North Somerset council. It was thought up to have a unified brand for service radiating out from Bristol into North Somerset and was introduced at an event at the National Trust Tyntesfield house in Wraxall and involved a renumbering many services into the X range. Don’t worry, the branding on the upstairs window on the E400s didn’t last long after being smashed and never replaced. Personally, I think the unbranded Plymouth P&R cloud livery thearrived in was better and should have been adapted.

The North Somerset Connect livery carried by 2 short E200s for the A2 was the same base livery minus the ExpressYourself Vinyls.

Another contender is the pink First mTicket livery carried by 2 ALX400 Volvo B7TLs and 3 Steetlites, which incidentally were painted into this out of ExpressYourself. These have been affectionately christened the Flying Dildos by the drivers lol

 

[Jordan Adam]

I also thought the old Express Yourself livery for the Weston to Bristol services was pretty poor as well, but I know others quite liked it. I didn't sit well on the E400s for me and the bradning on the upper screen reduced forward visibility.


First Somerset Avon 33415 WA56FTN Congresbury 9/6/12 by Mark Amis, on Flickr

I can't find it now but i recall seeing a photo of one of the Scotland East vehicles with that branding and a few letters had peeled off so instead it was reading "Press Your Elf"!

 

[swifty]

What is Devastatin Dave all about? Is it some sort of attempt to appear youthful and 'one of the kids' in the way that bus companies often do whilst actually coming across as desperately cringeworthy and tragic?

It was the brand for the Bath Uni services that replaced the old ‘Bright Orange Bus’ scheme. It was launched in response to Rotala staring services to the Uni.

Only a handful of buses were ever fully branded and a few ran around in the base livery for years.

Pictures 3, 4, 6 & 7 illustrate here - http://www.swhite.org.uk/woe/10036.htm

 

[py_megapixel]

It was the brand for the Bath Uni services that replaced the old ‘Bright Orange Bus’ scheme.

The colour choice of... ummm... orange on orange, for the words "bright" and "bus", is great for readability
They should have gone the whole way and had the telecommunications company sponsor them...

 

[Jordan Adam]

It was the brand for the Bath Uni services that replaced the old ‘Bright Orange Bus’ scheme. It was launched in response to Rotala staring services to the Uni.

Only a handful of buses were ever fully branded and a few ran around in the base livery for years.

Pictures 3, 4, 6 & 7 illustrate here - http://www.swhite.org.uk/woe/10036.htm

I'll probably be alone in this but i quite liked the orange scheme. That said the current Purple livery beats all of them by miles.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

What is Devastatin Dave all about? Is it some sort of attempt to appear youthful and 'one of the kids' in the way that bus companies often do whilst actually coming across as desperately cringeworthy and tragic?

Yep - you nailed it!

 

[Statto]

I think First Somerset & Avon's short lived 'Devastatin Dave' livery for the Bath Uni services was pretty poor and made the First Urban livery look much worse!


First Somerset &amp; Avon 10174 WX55HVZ by harryjaipowell, on Flickr

I also thought the old Express Yourself livery for the Weston to Bristol services was pretty poor as well, but I know others quite liked it. I didn't sit well on the E400s for me and the bradning on the upper screen reduced forward visibility.


First Somerset Avon 33415 WA56FTN Congresbury 9/6/12 by Mark Amis, on Flickr

Express Yourself, why is it all of a sudden i have England/New Order on my mind.

 

[kez19]

For me it was the new Xplore Dundee colour scheme (I didn't realise that NXWM uses it ... so it seems that they already planned it out for Dundee!)

Xplore Dundee 4712 BU06 CXG

4712 on service 22 to Craigowl

www.flickr.com

its just a pity they couldn't have used this instead...

Xplore Dundee 7001 • SP54 CHF

Explore MichaelSStuart's 5800 photos on Flickr!

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I rather they just went with the old Tayside Public Transport colour - the blue/beige colour...

 

[Jordan Adam]

For me it was the new Xplore Dundee colour scheme (I didn't realise that NXWM uses it ... so it seems that they already planned it out for Dundee!)

Xplore Dundee 4712 BU06 CXG

4712 on service 22 to Craigowl

www.flickr.com

its just a pity they couldn't have used this instead...

Xplore Dundee 7001 • SP54 CHF

Explore MichaelSStuart's 5800 photos on Flickr!

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I rather they just went with the old Tayside Public Transport colour - the blue/beige colour...

The scheme on 7001 may have nostalgia factor but it doesn't work on the Gemini and wouldn't on other modern bus types. I agree about the standard XD scheme, however the Emerald livery looks great.

 

[kez19]

The scheme on 7001 may have nostalgia factor but it doesn't work on the Gemini and wouldn't on other modern bus types. I agree about the standard XD scheme, however the Emerald livery looks great.

I agree the colour scheme on the Emeralds are a vast improvement, maybe a bit off topic here but why did the company apply the same colour scheme they use I believe in the West Midlands area? (they asked locals to pick a colour scheme for the buses and from the pics (if I can find any) it just seems more of a con than what we we're led to believe))

this pic is on a technicality as this was one of them sent to West Midlands with the original Xplore colours..

431, SN65 OMA

National Express Streetlite 431 pauses at Perry Barr with a 54 service for Hamstead Village. It still carries its original two-tone green livery from its tenure at Xplore Dundee Vehicle Details Operator: National Express West Midlands Fleet Details: 431 'Leah' Registration: SN65 OMA Vehicle...

www.flickr.com

 

[D2007wsm]

I can't find it now but i recall seeing a photo of one of the Scotland East vehicles with that branding and a few letters had peeled off so instead it was reading "Press Your Elf"!

Thats not the funniest I’ve seen with missing letters, not bus related but our local Morrisons sign had blown lightbulbs for a time on the r, i and s so when lit up at night it read ‘Morons’ lol

 

[kez19]

I know Stagecoach is getting slated for its new livery I like it in one way but I don't agree with what they have done to the headlights/backlights (should just leave them as previous) -- I agree it doesn't work well

Stagecoach: 19672 NK60DNO Alexander Dennis Enviro 400

Stagecoach Newcastle's Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 19672 NK60BNO has received the new corporate livery and was pictured on New Bridge Street West, Newcastle Upon Tyne, on July 27th 2020.

www.flickr.com

This works well to me....

Stagecoach MX08GKN

Stagecoach Manchester MX08GKN 19231 seen at Stockport Bus Station, with a friendly driver, heading to stand on service 384 Romiley circular

www.flickr.com

 

[Jordan Adam]

I know Stagecoach is getting slated for its new livery I like it in one way but I don't agree with what they have done to the headlights/backlights (should just leave them as previous) -- I agree it doesn't work well

Stagecoach: 19672 NK60DNO Alexander Dennis Enviro 400

Stagecoach Newcastle's Alexander Dennis Enviro 400 19672 NK60BNO has received the new corporate livery and was pictured on New Bridge Street West, Newcastle Upon Tyne, on July 27th 2020.

www.flickr.com

This works well to me....

Stagecoach MX08GKN

Stagecoach Manchester MX08GKN 19231 seen at Stockport Bus Station, with a friendly driver, heading to stand on service 384 Romiley circular

www.flickr.com

This the best front application i've seen on a older Enviro. Still not a huge fan of the livery as a whole however.

First Local Decker Repaint (19541)

19541 in St Fergus enroute to Peterhead on the 69 from Fraserburgh in the new local livery, first double decker repainted with Bluebird.

www.flickr.com

 

[cnjb8]

This the best front application i've seen on a older Enviro. Still not a huge fan of the livery as a whole however.

First Local Decker Repaint (19541)

19541 in St Fergus enroute to Peterhead on the 69 from Fraserburgh in the new local livery, first double decker repainted with Bluebird.

www.flickr.com

The new Stagecoach livery has grown on me and now I actually quite like it (except the yellow version)! It's quite funny because when I saw it for the first time, I wondered how insane Stagecoach were!

 

[tbtc]

First's "Barbie 2" was poor, but it wasn't intended to be swanky - it was intended to be less eye-catching than the livery used on new buses - it was about putting something recognisable as "First" (i.e. similar colours) for secondary routes, so that such vehicles could be transferred around the country if need be - bearing in mind that buses were being repainted every few years, but the high floor vehicles that gained "Barbie 2" weren't of the high standard that was meant to be necessary for proper "Barbie".

Think of it more like the way that supermarkets have a simple "Smart Price"/ "Basics"/ "Value" range - that's not meant to look as good as the "premium"/ "extra special" ranges.

Barbie 2 was an alternative either...

(1) painting everything in the willow leaf Barbie livery (which would have negated the idea of keeping the flagship livery for the most modern accessible vehicles)
...or...
(2) retaining local liveries for a dwindling number of high floor vehicles, which would have meant repainting them every time they were cascaded down the food chain

I'm not saying it was amazing, but I think it was an understandable option (and can understand why it was never meant to look "amazing".

The new Stagecoach liveries are terrible/ confusing/ messily applied though - I'll not defend them!

As for the ideas earlier on that green/purple don't go well - they certainly seem to work for Wimbedon - I think that the tennis tournament makes them look quite up market - but the versions splashed across buses looks a real mess.

I never liked the Northumbria livery, I think the diagonal red stripe which appeared to be part of an" N" on the front looked a mess, but I accept I am probably in the minority.

Agreed - I felt it a bit too fussy - I don't think that asymmetric liveries work too well - the fact that the red diagonal was meant to look like a giant "N" was probably wasted on most passengers.

Shame, as the colours went pretty well together - would have worked a lot better in a toned down livery (but I'd have preferred a red/yellow livery given the Northumbrian flag!)

I agree with this but I point the finger at this sudden trend of asymmetric fronts to vehicles making it harder for operators. Alexander Dennis, I'm looking at you!

Good point - I think that trying to apply a livery has become a lot harder on modern vehicles - the big portions of black on the windows/ destination screen etc and the asymmetric fronts mean that you can no longer apply anything as subtle/clever as '90s buses used to have. So many operators are going for big chunky diagonals, because other schemes just look even worse - the alternative would be to just accept defeat and go for predominantly black liveries with a splash of colour (since the manufacturers put all these chunky black bits on vehicles that make it very hard to apply a livery).

Strange that trains are starting to move away from all having the same front colour (yellow) at the same time that modern buses are all coming out with front colours that are 95% one colour (black!).

 

[kez19]

This the best front application i've seen on a older Enviro. Still not a huge fan of the livery as a whole however.

First Local Decker Repaint (19541)

19541 in St Fergus enroute to Peterhead on the 69 from Fraserburgh in the new local livery, first double decker repainted with Bluebird.

www.flickr.com

I give you credit in regards to the pic "local decker" it is most situated that way, I remember seeing the new livery when I was in Newcastle few months ago (not sure if it was Stagecoach first area to start it though).

 

[Jordan Adam]

I give you credit in regards to the pic "local decker" it is most situated that way, I remember seeing the new livery when I was in Newcastle few months ago (not sure if it was Stagecoach first area to start it though).

Not my photo! The whole logic behind the "Local" and "Long Distance" names is flawed, in reality the Scottish ops are just going to paint buses in the local livery and coaches in the long distance livery despite the fact many buses do long distance routes.

 

[kez19]

The new Stagecoach livery has grown on me and now I actually quite like it (except the yellow version)! It's quite funny because when I saw it for the first time, I wondered how insane Stagecoach were!

I never understood the change initially as when I was in Newcastle when I see a few of their buses, but it was when you seen them in plain white I was wondering what was going on behind a plain white bus with Stagecoach labelled on the front. Thought Stagecoach was going down a plain white bus colour scheme!

The only thing I will add in terms of Stagecoach and can someone explain...

whats the reason for this?

DSC_6961

DSC_6961 - 11501 - SN69 ZRG - Alexander Dennis E40D/Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC - Stagecoach Newcastle (40th Anniversary of Stagecoach Mosaic Livery) - Newcastle, Gallowgate 26/07/20

www.flickr.com

as its not applied on any other vehicles either?

Different bus but still same "make"

DSC_7022

DSC_7022 - 11502 - SN69 ZRJ - Alexander Dennis E40D/Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC - Stagecoach Newcastle - Newcastle, Gallowgate 26/07/20

www.flickr.com

 

[Jordan Adam]

I never understood the change initially as when I was in Newcastle when I see a few of their buses, but it was when you seen them in plain white I was wondering what was going on behind a plain white bus with Stagecoach labelled on the front. Thought Stagecoach was going down a plain white bus colour scheme!

The only thing I will add in terms of Stagecoach and can someone explain...

whats the reason for this?

DSC_6961

DSC_6961 - 11501 - SN69 ZRG - Alexander Dennis E40D/Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC - Stagecoach Newcastle (40th Anniversary of Stagecoach Mosaic Livery) - Newcastle, Gallowgate 26/07/20

www.flickr.com

as its not applied on any other vehicles either?

Different bus but still same "make"

DSC_7022

DSC_7022 - 11502 - SN69 ZRJ - Alexander Dennis E40D/Alexander Dennis Enviro400 MMC - Stagecoach Newcastle - Newcastle, Gallowgate 26/07/20

www.flickr.com

The paint specification changed, yellow was originally specified on the front of buses, it isn't anymore.

 

[WM Bus]

I agree the colour scheme on the Emeralds are a vast improvement, maybe a bit off topic here but why did the company apply the same colour scheme they use I believe in the West Midlands area? (they asked locals to pick a colour scheme for the buses and from the pics (if I can find any) it just seems more of a con than what we we're led to believe))

this pic is on a technicality as this was one of them sent to West Midlands with the original Xplore colours..

431, SN65 OMA

National Express Streetlite 431 pauses at Perry Barr with a 54 service for Hamstead Village. It still carries its original two-tone green livery from its tenure at Xplore Dundee Vehicle Details Operator: National Express West Midlands Fleet Details: 431 'Leah' Registration: SN65 OMA Vehicle...

www.flickr.com

That is an ex Dundee bus that is yet to be repainted and into Crimson Red. They use red and grey colour schemes in the West Midlands. Not Dundee green.
So they did not appy the same colour scheme they use in the West Midlands.

1792 | BV57XFF | Birmingham

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6949 | SK68MKG | Birmingham

Explore bigdan14025's 553169 photos on Flickr!

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[kez19]

That is an ex Dundee bus that is yet to be repainted and into Crimson Red. They use red and grey colour schemes in the West Midlands. Not Dundee green.
So they did not appy the same colour scheme they use in the West Midlands.

1792 | BV57XFF | Birmingham

Explore bigdan14025's 553169 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

6949 | SK68MKG | Birmingham

Explore bigdan14025's 553169 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

I am sure there was a pic on flickr where one of the fleet was already in green before the Streetlites had been sent? If its not West Midlands would it be any of the other NX groups ie Coventry? Its just a pity had I remembered where I seen the pic on flickr I could post it

EDIT: I am beginning to wonder the pic I saw on flickr was indeed a Platinum bus but possibly the way it was shot (ie say sun reflecting) it could look like a green bus (possibility?)