Trivia : Liveries which make good buses look bad

[hst43102]

Basically, what the title says! Personally, I think the new Stagecoach livery makes the E200 MMC look dated:

Stagecoach 26026 YX65RBO

Explore jonathon890's 34721 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

NCT livery makes the E400 City look boring:

NCT E400 City 418

New Enviro 400 City bodied Scania N280UD buses for NCT routes 6,10, 44, 24/25 and a spare bus. For some reason this one has the Scania and ADL badges transposed the other way round to the rest of the buses! 19.5.17 There is also a strangely high proportion of wing mirrors...

www.flickr.com

And Anglian Bus livery spoils the look of the Optare Versa.

Optare Versa

305 Konectbus YJ60KGU seen at Norwich Castle Meadow

www.flickr.com

 

[cnjb8]

Basically, what the title says! Personally, I think the new Stagecoach livery makes the E200 MMC look dated:

Stagecoach 26026 YX65RBO

Explore jonathon890's 34721 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

NCT livery makes the E400 City look boring:

NCT E400 City 418

New Enviro 400 City bodied Scania N280UD buses for NCT routes 6,10, 44, 24/25 and a spare bus. For some reason this one has the Scania and ADL badges transposed the other way round to the rest of the buses! 19.5.17 There is also a strangely high proportion of wing mirrors...

www.flickr.com

And Anglian Bus livery spoils the look of the Optare Versa.

Optare Versa

305 Konectbus YJ60KGU seen at Norwich Castle Meadow

www.flickr.com

For NCT, the Lilac Line livery is the most dull! I quite like the NCT liveries.

 

[Flange Squeal]

When Enviros have their usually black window surrounds over-painted, showing up the differing sizes of windows and ruining the designed curves. Same with Optare Solos/Versas. Here are a few examples....

Dales & District: T25 SVN Alexander Dennis Enviro 200

Seen here in Richmond, whilst out of service.

www.flickr.com

3991 at Guildford

The first of the ex-Dartford depot TfL work Enviros to arrive at Guildford was 3991 (GN07 DLZ). These have been refurbished at Hants & Dorset Trim, who have not painted the window surrounds black (which is what Arriva do). The most visible sign is perhaps the rear, where the usual semi-circle...

www.flickr.com

Get them white now

CT4N currently have a number of white loan vehicles to cover for vehicles which sustained flood damage during last month's storms.. God that seems old news now. Here Optare Solo SR YJ62 FAM calls at Beeston Interchange on route 18 to Stapleford (note the paper route number as the LED either...

www.flickr.com

 

[PaulMc7]

67883 SN63MZG First Glasgow

First Glasgow AD Enviro300 67833 (SN63 MZG) is seen here on Chalmers Street in Clydebank whilst working service 81 to Duntocher.

www.flickr.com

First Glasgow's livery can make anything look pretty boring tbh. Since we've had more branding it's not as bad because that covers a lot of it and adds more colour but without branding everything looks pretty average with the livery

 

[scosutsut]

I was never the biggest fan of Lothian Harlequin, it takes me back to the characterless Tridents but it sat really well on the Geminis

Lothian 701 SN55BJX

Lothian Buses Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 701 (SN55 BJX) was repainted into their 'harlequin' livery during 2019 and entered the Lothian heritage fleet. It is seen here at the SVBM Open weekend in August working an internal service.

www.flickr.com

The madder that replaced it was sympathetic to the front end but that upward madder swoop to meet the advertising panel never quite sat right with me...

Lothian Buses 703 SN55 BJZ

703 on service 34 to Ocean Terminal

www.flickr.com

However it was much better than the angular FOTF being sandwiched on them (I absolutely hate this scheme on original model Gemini and Eclipses and will be glad when they are all phased out!!)

Lothian Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini SN08BXD 891 operating service 26 to Seton Sands at Princes Street on 5 December 2018.

Explore Robin Dickson 1's 48831 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

The alternative to FOTF that went on a few was a far better compromise in my opinion, it was more sympathetic to the bodywork lines and doesn't make them look as dated in my opinion

Lothian Buses 704 (SN55BKA) - 24-06-17

Lothian Buses' Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL, 704 (SN55BKA), pictured on Princes Street, Edinburgh, on the 24th June 2017, whilst working service 3 to Mayfield. 704 is one of a growing number of its batch to have been repainted recently in the latest version of Lothian's livery and...

www.flickr.com

(None of these my photos, my thanks to the talented snappers credited on the links for helping me illustrate my point from a similar angle!)

 

[Jordan Adam]

I was never the biggest fan of Lothian Harlequin, it takes me back to the characterless Tridents but it sat really well on the Geminis

Lothian 701 SN55BJX

Lothian Buses Volvo B7TL/Wright Eclipse Gemini 701 (SN55 BJX) was repainted into their 'harlequin' livery during 2019 and entered the Lothian heritage fleet. It is seen here at the SVBM Open weekend in August working an internal service.

www.flickr.com

The madder that replaced it was sympathetic to the front end but that upward madder swoop to meet the advertising panel never quite sat right with me...

Lothian Buses 703 SN55 BJZ

703 on service 34 to Ocean Terminal

www.flickr.com

However it was much better than the angular FOTF being sandwiched on them (I absolutely hate this scheme on original model Gemini and Eclipses and will be glad when they are all phased out!!)

Lothian Volvo B9TL Wright Eclipse Gemini SN08BXD 891 operating service 26 to Seton Sands at Princes Street on 5 December 2018.

Explore Robin Dickson 1's 48831 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

The alternative to FOTF that went on a few was a far better compromise in my opinion, it was more sympathetic to the bodywork lines and doesn't make them look as dated in my opinion

Lothian Buses 704 (SN55BKA) - 24-06-17

Lothian Buses' Wright Eclipse Gemini bodied Volvo B7TL, 704 (SN55BKA), pictured on Princes Street, Edinburgh, on the 24th June 2017, whilst working service 3 to Mayfield. 704 is one of a growing number of its batch to have been repainted recently in the latest version of Lothian's livery and...

www.flickr.com

(None of these my photos, my thanks to the talented snappers credited on the links for helping me illustrate my point from a similar angle!)

Of those 4 Harlequin was by far the best imo. The madder scheme was too dark especially at the front, while FOTF doesn't really work on anything that isn't a E400XLB or Post-Facelift Gemini 3.

 

[scosutsut]

Over on the other side of the country KCB Network looked absolutely resplendent on the PS types which were brilliant vehicles (and I'm beyond delighted this one is so beautifully preserved!)

Preserved KCB Network SV494 (N94OGG)

Smartly turned out for its first public service appearance of the year (at the West End Festival) is this Alexander PS Type Volvo B10M. Seen in Ferry Road, Partick and just crossing the River Kelvin. www.gvvt.org

flic.kr

Then Barbie came along, which was a downgrade not helped by the fact that they couldn't decide whether to paint the whole light cluster and grill, a bit of both or paint the lights and not the grill.

File:FirstGroup bus 61395 Volvo B10M Alexander PS Type N127 OGG in Glasgow, 18 October 2006.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.m.wikimedia.org

And then there is Barbie 2. Compared to the red and cream this is a absolute travesty, worst modern livery of all time for me (I'm even taking Stagecoach's new "the washing powder you can count on" effort into account!!)

First Glasgow - eamonnsphotos

After many months I have finishe Welcome Last Update was on 23rd August 2015 with 16170 photos online. A list of some of my favorite transport websites (see fans and friends below for SmugMug friends) Cliff Essex Wongers Bus Photos Kevin Smiths Flickr Site SCT 61 Rays Bus Photos...

eamonnsphotos.smugmug.com

(Again not my photos full credits on links)

 

[scosutsut]

Of those 4 Harlequin was by far the best imo. The madder scheme was too dark especially at the front, while FOTF doesn't really work on anything that isn't a E400XLB or Post-Facelift Gemini 3.

I agree. The Gemini/Eclipse 2s would benefit from the softening of the turns as seen on the XLBs and not the sharp edges that better suit the Gem 3s.

That ain't going to happen now with so many painted now and the eldest probably due replacement before their next repaint would be due. (COVID ignored)

 

[hst43102]

And then there is Barbie 2. Compared to the red and cream this is a absolute travesty, worst modern livery of all time for me (I'm even taking Stagecoach's new "the washing powder you can count on" effort into account!!)

Glad someone brought up Barbie 2! Absolutely the worst modern livery, if not the worst livery of all time. Guaranteed to make any bus look outdated and in need of a wash at the same time!

 

[scosutsut]

Glad someone brought up Barbie 2! Absolutely the worst modern livery, if not the worst livery of all time. Guaranteed to make any bus look outdated and in need of a wash at the same time!

Definitely a candidate. I can imagine how they thought it was going to work from a render. The reality was just so wrong it looked cheap and it wore terribly as demonstrated by 61370.

 

[F Great Eastern]

Any Wright Bus operating for Dublin Bus where the application of the livery on the front of the bus is dreadful since they always colour the Wright logo in and the light clusters too which makes them look terible.

Eclipse Artic
Someone painted one of them during a repaint with a different livery and management were not happy:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/49714...ZS1-dQEVpH-dvZrKx-e2Km6h-dB7pME-dvZrQp-dw5ZDC

The same livery is applied to the Geminis as well in a very bland way colouring in the Wright logo

Gemini 3
Here all the light grills and Wright logo are coloured in, looks dreadful.

Dublin Bus Front

Dublin bus

Dublin bus Volvo B5TL Gemini 3 Fleet Number SG 192 Reg 161-D-46473 Is seen in Dublin City centre on service 41c

www.flickr.com

Transport for Ireland style front application (ignore the different colours)

Flickriver: Most interesting photos from Go-Ahead (Ireland) pool

Flickriver - view images as a 'river of photos' and more...

www.flickriver.com

Streetlite

Dublin Bus Front

Dublin Bus, "WS Class", (2), Wrightbus Streetlite, WS2, (172-D-22742), Glencullen, Co. Dublin, 04 December 2017

Dublin Bus, Mercedes Benz powered, Wrightbus Streetlite, WS2, (172-D-22742), was seen outside Johnnie Fox's Pub in Glencullen, Co. Dublin on 04 December 2017 having just completed the 09:45 departure of the Donnybrook Garage operated route 44B from Dundrum Luas Station to Glencullen. Two brand...

www.flickr.com

TFI front:

Go Ahead Ireland Wright Streetlite 12139 (182-D-18136) on Route 111 at Marine Road, Dún Laoghaíre on Friday afternoon, 26th July, 2019. - a photo on Flickriver

Flickriver - view images as a 'river of photos' and more...

www.flickriver.com

 

[py_megapixel]

New lighter blue Arriva livery makes Enviros look cheap and tacky in my opinion, can't find a photo but I saw one in Liverpool a while back

 

[156478]

Over on the other side of the country KCB Network looked absolutely resplendent on the PS types which were brilliant vehicles (and I'm beyond delighted this one is so beautifully preserved!)

Preserved KCB Network SV494 (N94OGG)

Smartly turned out for its first public service appearance of the year (at the West End Festival) is this Alexander PS Type Volvo B10M. Seen in Ferry Road, Partick and just crossing the River Kelvin. www.gvvt.org

flic.kr

Then Barbie came along, which was a downgrade not helped by the fact that they couldn't decide whether to paint the whole light cluster and grill, a bit of both or paint the lights and not the grill.

File:FirstGroup bus 61395 Volvo B10M Alexander PS Type N127 OGG in Glasgow, 18 October 2006.jpg - Wikimedia Commons

commons.m.wikimedia.org

And then there is Barbie 2. Compared to the red and cream this is a absolute travesty, worst modern livery of all time for me (I'm even taking Stagecoach's new "the washing powder you can count on" effort into account!!)

First Glasgow - eamonnsphotos

After many months I have finishe Welcome Last Update was on 23rd August 2015 with 16170 photos online. A list of some of my favorite transport websites (see fans and friends below for SmugMug friends) Cliff Essex Wongers Bus Photos Kevin Smiths Flickr Site SCT 61 Rays Bus Photos...

eamonnsphotos.smugmug.com

(Again not my photos full credits on links)

Barbie 2 was a livery that made any bus look like total trash.

Especially in Glasgow on the PS Types. Their bodywork was already battered and bruised due to the harsh operating environment and lacklustre maintenance and this wall paper livery made them look worse.

Bit of hot weather and the things were littering the streets of Glasgow overheating.

 

[berneyarms]

Any Wright Bus operating for Dublin Bus where the application of the livery on the front of the bus is dreadful since they always colour the Wright logo in and the light clusters too which makes them look terible.

Eclipse Artic
Someone painted one of them during a repaint with a different livery and management were not happy:
https://www.flickr.com/photos/49714...ZS1-dQEVpH-dvZrKx-e2Km6h-dB7pME-dvZrQp-dw5ZDC

The same livery is applied to the Geminis as well in a very bland way colouring in the Wright logo

Gemini 3
Here all the light grills and Wright logo are coloured in, looks dreadful.

Dublin Bus Front

Dublin bus

Dublin bus Volvo B5TL Gemini 3 Fleet Number SG 192 Reg 161-D-46473 Is seen in Dublin City centre on service 41c

www.flickr.com

Transport for Ireland style front application (ignore the different colours)

Flickriver: Most interesting photos from Go-Ahead (Ireland) pool

Flickriver - view images as a 'river of photos' and more...

www.flickriver.com

Streetlite

Dublin Bus Front

Dublin Bus, "WS Class", (2), Wrightbus Streetlite, WS2, (172-D-22742), Glencullen, Co. Dublin, 04 December 2017

Dublin Bus, Mercedes Benz powered, Wrightbus Streetlite, WS2, (172-D-22742), was seen outside Johnnie Fox's Pub in Glencullen, Co. Dublin on 04 December 2017 having just completed the 09:45 departure of the Donnybrook Garage operated route 44B from Dundrum Luas Station to Glencullen. Two brand...

www.flickr.com

TFI front:

Go Ahead Ireland Wright Streetlite 12139 (182-D-18136) on Route 111 at Marine Road, Dún Laoghaíre on Friday afternoon, 26th July, 2019. - a photo on Flickriver

Flickriver - view images as a 'river of photos' and more...

www.flickriver.com

A bit of an over reaction surely?

Hardly makes them look “dreadful” or “terrible”.