Can someone tell me how to bus spot?

[m3troline]

I'm confused as to how to do this; I ordered a little booklet for bus spotters where you can note down bus reg, operator, route etcetera, and just stand around like a potted plant beside a bus station and note down every bus that passes.

Surely this can't be how it's done? I refuse to believe that anyone stands about writing down bus details all day, haha.

• Am I only meant to note down buses of an interesting type?
• Should I note down a bus I spotted and noted down the day before?
• Should I vary spotting location every day?
• Am I meant to film/photograph them?
• Is there a place I can upload the photos too?
• Do I do anything else than just stand around and write the details?

Many thanks, a new bus spotter from Hillingdon

 

[Pit_buzzer]

You make your own rules, if you want to do it, do it. If you don't, dont
It's whatever interests you

 

[m3troline]

You make your own rules, if you want to do it, do it. If you don't, dont
It's whatever interests you

Do most people stand around and just note down the bus numbers, or is it more common to take photos/videos?

Thanks for your answer, I'm Eastern European, so all this is alien to me but I find the concept very interesting!

 

[yorkie]

Do most people stand around and just note down the bus numbers

I don't think I've ever actually seen anyone do that.

or is it more common to take photos/videos?

I have seen bus enthusiasts do this; it's particularly common among younger generations of bus enthusiasts.

Note that this is a site for people who have a general interest in transport, or who enjoy travelling, or who work in the transport industry, etc. While there will of course be some spotters here, this isn't a spotters site.

 

[Gloster]

People do stand around at bus stations or other places where there a lot of buses although it is not that common. However, I live on the Isle of Wight and the spotters that I see are, I suspect, people from the mainland who want to see our (Southern Vectis) buses as they are confined to the island.

Some people try to see all the buses of one or more operators, or sometimes all of one type (make or design double- or single-decker),etc.). They then underline the ones they have seen in their book or list, or at least they used to. Most people seem to take photos: maybe they are trying to collect a photo of each bus instead of underlining them.

Just do whatever you want. They only rule when I was a young trainspotter was never to claim that you had seen something that you hadn’t or were doubtful about, but that was to avoid losing face amongst youngsters. That and don’t trespass or be a nuisance to bus operators’ staff or passengers.

 

[Temple Meads]

These are probably the most common activities for bus enthusiasts:

• Taking photos - lots of people upload their photos on Flickr, and there are also many Facebook groups.
• Filming videos and uploading to YouTube or TikTok - sometimes of passing vehicles, but the most common is probably from inside the vehicle, like this one - not my video, but a good example.
• Riding on buses to try different routes, or different vehicles, and some people will try to 'complete' as much as possible (an example would be trying to ride on every Arriva London vehicle, although this would clearly be a tough task!)

There are actually people who do just write down registrations and fleet numbers, but I'd say they are in a minority compared to the other interests.

Other aspects of the hobby include model buses and bus simulators (OMSI is the most popular), and also there are people who collect tickets and other memorabilia.

Most enthusiasts do a combination of these things, but some will concentrate on just one.

 

[Joshua_Harman]

you just find what works for you. There’s no one specific way to be a bus enthusiast. Different people like different things some take photographs some collect tickets it all depends on what you like. For example, I work with buses and use my staff pass to travel around for free on buses and trains and go on adventures riding places. I like to document my buses on ‘ https://busmiles.uk/ ‘ which shows me the numbers that I’ve been on, et cetera I don’t stand and write down with a notebook but you find what works for you

 

[Springs Branch]

you just find what works for you. There’s no one specific way to be a bus enthusiast. Different people like different things . . .

Other aspects of the hobby include model buses . . .

. . . and at least one ex-Prime Minister claimed to enjoy painting model buses onto empty boxes. Though I suspect he might not remember doing that now (like all the other stuff he 'doesn't recall')

39918219-Guy Venables Cartoon for Metro. Boris Johnson and 'The Science'. DMGTCHPDPICT001067823406 SEI181091626

store.newsprints.co.uk

(image shows schoolboy Boris Johnson sitting in classroom painting model bus, whilst ignoring science lesson)

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

There are enthusiasts who stand around taking numbers, you can buy fleet books to underline/mark off the ones you have seen from the likes of ST Publications or MAP Group, or the more expensive Bus Handbook series.
I have a friend who takes numbers who often sits in the window of a convenient coffee shop or pub to watch the buses as a change from standing outside.
Personally I photograph and take videos; my own aim is to get a photo of every bus at my local depot (Stagecoach (which I've managed until they get something new!)) and photos of a random selection otherwise. I do videos as takes my fancy and load them onto YouTube.
As others have said find what you enjoy doing... there's no rule that says you can't spot AND photograph and video!!

 

[Buzby]

I don't think I've ever actually seen anyone do that.

Next time you’re in Glasgow have a look at the entrance to Buchanan Bus Station. I’ve seen as many as three jotting down fleet numbers and photographing various arrivals of a morning, and indeed I was guilty of this recently when Ember introduced their new tri-axle EV.

I did also witness a major bust-up when a driver objected to having a photograph taken and demanded it was erased and a shouting match ensued (didn’t find out the resolution). So it’s not totally risk-averse!

 

[PeterC]

There are enthusiasts who stand around taking numbers, you can buy fleet books to underline/mark off the ones you have seen from the likes of ST Publications or MAP Group, or the more expensive Bus Handbook series.
I have a friend who takes numbers who often sits in the window of a convenient coffee shop or pub to watch the buses as a change from standing outside.
Personally I photograph and take videos; my own aim is to get a photo of every bus at my local depot (Stagecoach (which I've managed until they get something new!)) and photos of a random selection otherwise. I do videos as takes my fancy and load them onto YouTube.
As others have said find what you enjoy doing... there's no rule that says you can't spot AND photograph and video!!

Digital photography and smart phones have made a huge difference. The cost of film and developing precluded such activities when I was bus spotting 60 years ago.

 

[Dai Corner]

If taking photos or videos, don't ignore the mundane vehicles or operations. On they've gone you'll have a historic/nostalgic record. Make notes.

In case you haven't come across it before, bustimes.org is a mine of information on where buses have been, are, or are expected to be.

 

[40875704]

For some enthusiasm about buses [and trains] have a look at https://busandtrainuser.com/ they write some very interesting articles about buses, bus travel, routes and so on.

 

[SSmith2009]

Digital photography and smart phones have made a huge difference. The cost of film and developing precluded such activities when I was bus spotting 60 years ago.

Agreed and with apps where you can get an amount of free prints every month just paying a small delivery charge it's made the hobby easier as you've got photo records to keep.

Also having them on your phone or camera can allow them to be uploaded to socials and enthusiast pages instantly.

 

[SnapperHappy24]

There's no right or wrong way to do it. Everyone does it their own way because everyone is interested in different elements of the industry. You can just down details in an ordinary notebook or buses and coaches you've seen around (location, company, make/model, route, location, etc). Like others have said you can gets fleet lists from various publishers and tick vehicles off. You can take pictures or videos with a camera or just using your phone. Keep these for your own records, create a free website or post them on the likes of Flickr or Facebook groups. Ask yourself if you're interested more so in buses or coaches, in one particular company or everything in general or whether you have any goals to work towards in the hobby (taking pictures of every bus owned by you local company for example). As has also been said Bustimes.org is a great resource to use to track buses. Make sure you stick to public property unless you have permission to be somewhere like a depot. If you are going to take pictures or film it might be worthwhile looking up your rights as to what you can and can't do. Confrontations with people who take issue with being in a picture or video do seem to be rare on the whole but could still happen. More importantly, try to enjoy yourself! That's what a hobby is for and you should find what works best for you.

 

[Eyersey468]

I'm confused as to how to do this; I ordered a little booklet for bus spotters where you can note down bus reg, operator, route etcetera, and just stand around like a potted plant beside a bus station and note down every bus that passes.

Surely this can't be how it's done? I refuse to believe that anyone stands about writing down bus details all day, haha.

• Am I only meant to note down buses of an interesting type?
• Should I note down a bus I spotted and noted down the day before?
• Should I vary spotting location every day?
• Am I meant to film/photograph them?
• Is there a place I can upload the photos too?
• Do I do anything else than just stand around and write the details?

Many thanks, a new bus spotter from Hillingdon

I've worked in the industry for a number of years, if there's anything general you would like to know feel free to message me. I'm Yorkshire based so probably can't answer specific questions about your local operator.

 

[Simon75]

If filming/photos of a bus garage or outstation, film only on public land unless you have permission otherwise

 

[TheSel]

Some good advice above. The main thing is ENJOY it, as I have for the last 50+ years.

I find I can enjoy the time three ways:

planning it (studying timetables, working out itineraries - circular trips are always a favourite)
doing it (speaks for itself, really, but seeing the countryside / townscapes through the window, maybe exploring some of the places you pass through along the way, and perhaps taking pictures of things you don't see everyday in your 'home' area)
remembering it (which might involve reading your riding records, sorting photographs, talking to like-minded friends and so on).

@Dai Corner makes an extremely valid point. Today's mundane is tomorrow's history. I've been taking transport related photos for over 50 years. It's great to remember and look back to photos taken somewhere 10, 20, 30 etc years ago, and realise how much has changed. Just as an example, look at post #3 in the thread 'Trips by Bus and Coach: Your reports' above.

​

 

[Hyebone]

I personally like to take and collect photographs of buses. The barrier of entry is pretty low too; I currently use my mobile phone for photos but I'm looking to upgrade to a proper camera.

I use an excel spreadsheet to track my local operator's vehicles (with a bit of fancy conditional formatting and data validation for fellow excel nerds). Example screenshot below:

I also use Busmiles to track my journeys, it puts it all into a nice map which is very visually appealing

 

[Buzby]

I also use Busmiles to track my journeys, it puts it all into a nice map

Where’s the map? I’ve only found the ‘services used’ pie chart!

 

[Hyebone]

Where’s the map? I’ve only found the ‘services used’ pie chart!

Under the "daily stats" page.

 

[Shimbleshanks]

I'm reliably informed by a bus-spotter friend of over 50 years that you also need corned beef sandwiches. Apparently the experience just isn't the same without them...

 

[TheSmiths82]

Just do what ever you want to do . Some people call me a bus spotter but I never write down any of the buses I travel on or take note of them in the street. However if I see an interesting bus I will take a photograph of it. An interesting bus is one that doesn't belong in the area or route. For example I saw a Blackpool bus in Manchester the other day on tram replacement duties. You never see a Blackpool bus in South Manchester so that was interesting.