Bournemouth hit the national news today—as the town likely to be the first in England to require *local* telephone customers to dial the full 01202 code ahead of the usual six-figure subscriber number. This is thanks to a shortage of lines in Bournemouth, Poole, Christchurch & Wimborne Minster which, in turn, reflects demand following the significant economic growth in the area. Locally, the Echo reports that this will allow new six-digit numbers beginning with “0” and “1”.
Meanwhile, in more important news, Yellow Buses revealed it will gradually roll out a “new” RATP livery, first used on its 1B/1C Christchurch-Bournemouth-Poole service with the arrival in June 2011 of its Volvo B9TL/Eclipse Gemini 2 double decks.
The in-house design comprises a giant stylised seashell on plain yellow, one that then becomes exaggerated over the rear wheel arch. Views on the livery on the 1B/1C range from “at least it’s still yellow” to a shrugging of the shoulders to positives that it reflects the town’s seaside heritage. Few people seem to wish to pass judgement on the livery. Perhaps that’s because it isn’t anything like ubiquitous enough, quite yet. Or perhaps because it’s still yellow (a condition of the sale into private hands) so they see little real difference.
Since Yellow Buses was sold to previous owner Transdev, Bournemouth people seem less concerned about the livery of their buses than had previously been the case. Livery modifications of the past, even seemingly subtle ones, had provoked a reaction of some kind. Angst was at its highest when Bournemouth Transport deigned to paint its rears out of yellow—the very thought. This unnecessary and surprisingly negative reaction confirmed Bournemouth had a rather conservative attitude. At least it showed that Bournemouth people took an interest in its operator. Now, the buses no longer substantially belong to the people and, while more are using them, they seem less vocal.
The new design sees the end of the attractive 2006 blue and green leaf effect which, though most definitely last century, was nonetheless attractive. It played a considerable part within a wider package of measures in giving the operator a more modern image and in reversing the fortunes of this once traditional municipal. It seems finally to have played its part.
Out, too, goes the marketing concept of images of real people (with their white borders) that adorned some buses.
The revised design bucks something of a recent trend in that it’s (a) simple in application and (b) doesn’t rely on a Best Impressions or a Stenningesk lookilikey approach. As a result, some might call the revision stark. Others, though, would say it complements Bournemouth’s perfect beach holiday resort atmosphere exactly.
What do *you* say?
39 comments:
So that's what it is!
Reminds me more of a dead sea-horse, or a washed up whale. More likely the latter: Bournemouth knows about them.
To locals and vistors alike, Bournemouth and yellow coloured buses are iconic.
I'm going to sound all 'Mr Glum' here but I prefer the pre-Transdev liveries and the darker shade of yellow. I'm not convinced that the livery needs adornments like seashells (and the willowleaf was not 'attractive', it was dreadful!). But apart form all that, yes, great....
Why this predilection for yellow.Will RATP/TRANSDEV have to use it forever or is there an expiry date on the agreement?I simply dont like yellow as a colour for buses.
I like it - a bit of local interest. Reminds me (in terms of the concept) of the "lake water" VMCV livery in Vevey, Switzerland, where I seem to spend a lot of time at the moment!
http://www.vmcv.ch/ - can't see a pic of a bus in the livery but it's roughly the same as at the bottom of the Web page.
"I simply dont like yellow as a colour for buses."
Disagree - the old yellow-with-a-blue-skirt MK Metro livery, particularly the newer variant, was a nice, distinctive, local set of colours - and no doubt good for avoiding accidents - there's a good reason the railway likes yellow!
I expect Best Impressions would have made a much better job of it - if asked.
Anonymous said...
"I simply dont like yellow as a colour for buses."
Everyone, is of course, entitled to their own opinion, but the yellow buses in Bournemouth, are, in their own way, just as much a feature of the town as the red ones in London. Yellow always has, in the UK, between relatively rare as a base colour for buses, making them that bit more distinctive and individual.
"I expect Best Impressions would have made a much better job of it - if asked."
I think it's nice that it's *not* a Best Impressions livery. Not that I have an issue with Best Impressions liveries, but they're all rather "samey" - you could think they represented sub-brands of one company as they all follow largely the same style.
The one exception is Stagecoach, which I believe is a Best Impressions job but is rather different.
I like it - I think it looks professional and understated, as I think a bus livery should, yet bright with a bit of locally-relevant "content".
Neil
Bournemouth without yellow buses would be wrong. They are part of the local heritage, and happy childhood holiday memories.
This is why I like municipal buses as they 'belong' to a town/city and make it distinctive in a way that the big groups (Go-Ahead excepted) don't.
I quite like Bournemouth buses staying yellow but, as mentioned by others, it needs to be the 'richer' and darker version - and, please, scrap the seashells which just look silly and tatty.
"Yellow always has, in the UK, between relatively rare as a base colour for buses"
Interesting though that yellow has always been associated with communications, if not buses. Many highways vans and heavies were once yellow and remember Post Office Telephones? It's a great colour on vehicles... exccept cars.
Pity about the seashells.
I like the seashells and I much prefer the brighter yellow than the old shade. Personal choice.
What I would say if that Yellows standard of presentation is streets ahead of Go South Coast in all its incarnations. You never know what coulour bus is going to turn up (and indeed when (or if) it is going to turn up!)).
Don't like the shells, they are tacky ....but I suppose that is representative of a beach holiday.
Perhaps they should use pictures of Bournemouth's tourist hotspots - the IMAX, surf reef .....
I prefer the plain yellow with RATP logo - they could that much larger and would still be OK
Of course a dash of maroon would be good - may I suggest two bands with green lining!
I have no issue with the shade of yellow, this one is fine. However I don't think the shell colour works, and it is far too small to be effective. It look likes if is waiting for something else to come along and join it. If it covered the read half of the vehicle, raising upwards then I think it'd look a heck of a lot better.
I have no issue with the shade of yellow, this one is fine. However I don't think the shell colour works, and it is far too small to be effective. It look likes it is waiting for something else to come along and join it. If it covered the rear half of the vehicle, raising upwards then I think it'd look a heck of a lot better.
What terrible typing, I of course meant to post this!
Well now, in the age of so many new, imaginative liveries, this offering looks rather odd and plain. Keep yellow for sure but add a bit of spice and pzazz.
To clarify my comment this morning re not liking yellow buses,what I should have said wa the very pale shade as used in Bournemouth.I quite like it yellow when used with equal amounts of blue.Anglian buse comes to mind.
And those of us who can remember Newcastle Corporation/Tyneside PTE/Tyne & Wear PTE and Alexander (Northern)/Northern Scottish will also call to mind some excellent yellow based liveries
Why does everything need to be Rainbow coloured - surely subtle works as well - ask Marks & Spencer, Starbucks, Apple or any number of successful retailers
And I agree with other - Ray Stenning please use a new template
Anon at 21:16. I really don't think Yellow Buses use a "pale shade" of yellow. It's a very vibrant, bright shade.
Neil at 1433: "I think it's nice that it's *not* a Best Impressions livery. Not that I have an issue with Best Impressions liveries, but they're all rather "samey" - you could think they represented sub-brands of one company as they all follow largely the same style."
Well you might complain about best impressions - but at least they're good.
I liked the old Transdev Yellow Buses livery.
This seashells business is terrible in my mind - it just looks tacky and unfinished.
"This seashells business is terrible in my mind - it just looks tacky and unfinished."
It's such a matter of opinion, isn't it? I *really* like it.
Neil
Anonymous said...
'Anon at 21:16. I really don't think Yellow Buses use a "pale shade" of yellow. It's a very vibrant, bright shade.'
I would agree with that, looking at these photos. The current yellow looks quite bright, certainly compared to the shade used in the livery with two maroon bands and green lining out (1960s). If I recall correctly, that shade was known as 'primrose', though the name is probably not particularly informative. Jones of Aberbeeg used a fairly rich cream prior to the introduction of NBC liveries, and that was also known as 'primrose' - but it was definitely different to the contemporary Bournemouth yellow.
Mr Busing...how about a pole on this topic ?
Good idea for a poll.
Neil's the only one to *really* like it so far.
I hate it. It's not so bad when the bus isn't carrying adverts, but when they are it all just looks a complete mess.
I had to be told what it was meant to be. All I could picture (from the small "shell" at the front) was a dodgy ace of spades. Now if I had to be told what it was, how many residents of and visitors to Bournemouth alike are going to wonder what the hell has happened to the buses?
So out of interest, what would the poll achieve? It would show that some people like something, some people don't like something, some people are undecided or have only seen it in pictures.
What if Neil votes 52 times and Mr Anonymous votes 53 times?
Liveries are emotive from this and other posts on the subject, it's a good discussion - poll away - indeed why not poll on the liveries of YB to date - or just enjoy the discussion and the thought processes - all very interesting
One factor overlooked is that the YB management or RATP obviously like it.
It does seem a bit weak,and serves little purpose.Looks like a muddy footprint to me.
I say please have a survey
Well, a survey of course won't achieve anything scientific, but it will stil be interesting.
Northern Scottish had a vibrant and attractive deep yellow livery with a single pale band. This looked incredible.
This morning I wrote a comment on the YB site at http://www.bybus.co.uk/2011/09/brand-new-look-for-yellow-buses%E2%80%99-fleet/
I said I didn't like the seashells as it looked unfinished and it didn't specifically say Bournemouth to me. I pointed out that Blackpool had 'The Tower' in their logo - iconic and immediately recognisable
The comments didn't stay on there long confirming my thoughts - criticism even if it is constructive is not acceptable!
Perhaps RATP thought I was taking the p*** about the tower
Hi Rich The YB website is managed like all our Social Networking - out of hours on goodwill and in office hours alongside current positions. Although it often feels like a 24/7 job, even we are allowed the odd hour or two off - YB
I thought this was an ice cream cone when I first saw it and reading the comments that the design is 'abstract' makes me thing RATP already realised they have got the livery wrong.
The new livery just does not have the same level of impact than the current TYB era livery, a real shame RATP felt the need to change and given they have it is a complete missed opportunity.
'This morning I wrote a comment on the YB site '
Is this unusual on UK bus websites or do most operators give the opportunity to comment against website news? Checked a couple but can't see it.
"This morning I wrote a comment on the YB site"
Well, Rich's thoughts are up there now.
I didn't realise that YB offered such a service. Their news pages are a little like a blog but they're blended into their own website. There's a real danger with this. This sort of thing is surely best left to Facebook comments where they belong. Keep the website "pure" for information rather than criticism and speculation.
Oh-er guys didn't mean it sound like a rant!
thanks to YB for responding - I just thought the comments had been summarily removed - as as been observed by others they are in the minority allowing comments.
As I also observed I think the RATP logo is quite smart and could be larger
Nostalgic as I am for liveries of my youth, maroon bands and all, I do link a smart, modern, business-like identity plays a part in selling your 'product'. After all M&S wouldn't want to be mistaken for Debenhams!
"After all M&S wouldn't want to be mistaken for Debenhams!"
But perhaps Debs might want to be mistaken for M&S!!
I completely agree that somebody must like it at YB or RAPT. Probably a middle management drone. Personally I loathe the "shell", abstract and stupid it is, refreshing and bright it is not.h
Peter Dickson - I don't think they will change it now, but as I noted on the YB website, a Bournemouth or YB strap-line under the smaller shell might help make it less anonymous.
I'm with the architect Mies van der Rohe here "Less is more"
Less is more...one for RS and W&D there perhaps ?
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