Bus Destination Screens

[Aictos]

Just a question for these who would know but how long have buses had colour graphical displays because I saw some Centrebus services in Beds with them which changes from a graphic of the route letter to a graphic of the route logo itself.

I'm asking because I'm only aware of buses which only have a monotone destination screen which just shows the destination and the route number nothing else.

I've no idea on how how the actual buses are that have the colour graphical display other then the displays seem to be new unless I'm wrong especially as my experience of buses is limited to knowing there are different operators with different liveries and you have double deckers and single deckers some models of which can operate on busways which is the extend of my knowledge.

Anyone able to help?

 

[edwin_m]

Not a bus, but the first batch of Class 170 for Midland Main Line (delivered 1997-1998 I think) had coloured internal displays. They may still have them in service with XC, but if so I've never seen them display anything other than orange. NCT's ethanol Omnicitys also had coloured displays - according to a quick web search these ran for two years ending in 2010 so would have been new in 2008.

 

[Darklord8899]

There are various different manufacturers and models of electronic screens... Mobitec and Hannover being two of the manufacturers that I know of (my local company uses both manufactures)

Money plays the biggest part, as coloured screens will be significantly more expensive than mono white
I have included a Lothian example with Mobitec colour capability)

(not my picture, don't know photographer to credit)

And mono white Hannover display (not my picture, don't know photographer to credit)

 

[Mutant Lemming]

Reading seem to use it for the route numbers

http://bus-and-coach-photos.com/picture/number7420.asp
http://bus-and-coach-photos.com/picture/number7422.asp

 

[83G/84D]

I was in Luton a few months ago (didn’t stay long!) and saw a Centrebus vehicle with a display as described.

 

[Darklord8899]

Lothian's coloured Mobitecs side and rear displays would show route number in white, destination in orange
(Night services would have the number as a red N, white number)

The top screen on the front would be able to copy the old roller blind extra info
Yellow background with "Limited Stop" (in black)
Pink background with "Part Route" in white
Red background with "Route Diverted" in white
Green background "Park and Ride" in white
Green background "Rugby Special" (with a rugby ball) in white
Black background, with "Night Bus" in red

 

[padbus]

There were buses with multicoloured LED destination displays in Geneva when I visited in 2008. The green background to the route number relates to the colour used for service 10 on the route map. Whilst that is quite clever, I found that it made the route number more difficult to read as it appeared quite dull in comparison with the bright orange of the destination text.

 

[175mph]

In Hull, I've noticed EYMS use silver colour lit destination displays for all their new buses and the odd few existing older buses had them fitted too.

 

[Hophead]

A couple of the manufacturers were displaying examples at the Autumn trade shows, so more widespread adoption during 2019 seems likely.

 

[MedwayValiant]

Does anyone other than operators contracted to Transport for London - who insist on it - still use canvas roller blinds?

 

[Darklord8899]

Does anyone other than operators contracted to Transport for London - who insist on it - still use canvas roller blinds?

Yes, Lothian Buses (Edinburgh) still have vehicles with canvas screens, albeit electronically controlled.

 

[whoosh]

Does anyone other than operators contracted to Transport for London - who insist on it - still use canvas roller blinds?

But for how much longer? The future might just be here:
http://technoframe.com/bus-timetables-destination-blinds.html

 

[Robertj21a]

Does anyone other than operators contracted to Transport for London - who insist on it - still use canvas roller blinds?

Even TfL contractors are trialling LCD screens and I understand that roller blinds may not be a requirement shortly.

 

[VioletEclipse]

Even TfL contractors are trialling LCD screens and I understand that roller blinds may not be a requirement shortly.

Would that mean that roller blind will be consigned to history with both Lothian and TfL no longer buying their new buses with them? I doubt many other operators still use them, and Lothian are rapidly replacing roller blinds with LEDs on the whole fleet, leaving only TfL who are now moving to LCD/LED.

 

[SCH117X]

Hopefully the next stage in the evolution of destination blinds will be the use as a norm of ones that update as the service continues so dropping via points still being shown after the place has been passed and replacing them with other more relevant ones, and also adoption of clear explanatory displays in the event of disruption - when bad weather strikes I'm convinced a significant proportion of the delays is down to the passengers asking which way the bus is going - obviously will not totally stop that but should have some benefit IMO.