Post no. 2196

Today marks the sixth anniversary of Omnibuses’ first foray into regular blogging. By regular, I mean rather more than the hit & miss affair dated beforehand. It was from 29th August 2005 that I introduced a basic stats counter, a device that shows I’ve notched up page views now totalling seven figures. Not so bad.

Back then, the chosen subject was the integrated timetable of 1979, the yellow & red buses on its cover and Woolco (remember them?). At the time, Omnibuses was unique and it pretty much remains so. Yet, it’s also much copied, or so some other blog authors have told me. It’s inspired others. I sometimes wonder why, especially when I cringe at some older posts. In turn, the modern Omnibuses emerged thanks to a couple of other blogs. Over 50 known blogs link here. Who said blogging died after 2003? Or that Facebook & Twitter are now the preferred social media? The most popular top ten blogs driving traffic Omnibuses’ way are as follows, with the first two head & shoulders above the rest:

Leon Daniels (was 2nd) | Plymothian Transit (was 1st) | Phil Stockley | Dorset Bus Blog | Southern England Bus Scene | Public Transport Experience | Manchester Transport | Bus Driving | Humber Transport | Bumpy Highway

Back then, Dorset events were the staple fair, though not exclusively so. There was More upon which to report and Yellow Buses was still in municipal hands. The Bristol VR was still a fairly common sight. The corporation still ran open tops. Wilts & Dorset was engaged in an increasingly controversial dogfight with . An emphasis on Dorset & the south continues to be the main criticism of Omnibuses. This in spite of the sister Dorset Bus Blog launched in April 2010 and reaching the dizzy heights of 52 posts.

A large number of readers (about 45 per cent) work in the industry in various jobs, this I know. Over 80 per cent of readers are enthusiasts because many industry people who visit also fall within this category. It’s hard to imagine someone who works in transport who isn’t some sort of devotee.

Sometimes deliberately controversial, sometimes divisive, never yet scandalous, the blog is nothing without its readers, commenters, contributors & those who gladly offer help, to whom all I extend my thanks. As for the next six years, six months, six weeks or six days, I regret I can make no promises! As long as readership increases I will keep trying.