Out with the Old

Yesterday – 2 July 2006 – was probably the most important date in Bournemouth’s transport history. Not the arrival of the tram or motorbus, nor the last day of the trolleybus. It was the first day of Transdev Yellow Buses’ new network, a new milestone for the town.

A lot rests on this network redesign. With passenger numbers tumbling at about some three per cent p.a.; with Wilts & Dorset’s aggressively high profile more network taking what was once traditionally Yellow Buses’ revenue; and with a lack-lustre image, performance and network, there needed to be major changes.

While Yellow Buses has been successful in fighting off a swathe of competitors in the past, its network needs to reflect the quality competition from W&D and its more brand. Peaceful co-existence is the word, within a strategy of high quality competition. Though, as we’ve said before, some 20 imported second-hand SLFs may boost the low floor fleet but it’s probably not what Bournemouth council initially had in mind when it decided to sell to inject quality vehicles.


Operations on a Sunday are a far different thing to a weekday. There’ll be some chaos today and for the next fortnight as the public and drivers all try to get to grips with the new system. Even so, Transdev Yellow Buses is to be congratulated for the way it has handled the affair.

As part of that process, yesterday saw the launch of Transdev Yellow Buses’ new brighter bus company website. Compare the new with the old. Incidentally, the screenshot of the old, taken on 24 April 2006, shows we were visitor no. 28,800 (since 19 September 2003).