Strangest bus destination screens?

[Bletchleyite]

That's probably a useful one to have on there normally, as then you're not wondering why it sailed past. I think the Oxford-Cambridge X5s either used to or still do have it.

 

[JetBlast]

Just an odd question - on the electronic displays I have noticed this is with Xplore Dundee in question but I doubt Xplore/NXWM are the only ones but the destination fonts appear different
ie Whitfield is in one font one bus then it appears on another bus in another font?, (examples say on one bus it looks like Arial is used and on another its Courier how does that work? I assumed when I see buses with Go North East the fonts look the same but its only number displays vary? ie X1, and the 4 by memory! (Stagecoach Newcastle seems to have the same font for both destination and number X63 etc), it can't be my eye sight as its clear as day!, I'm sure Arriva does this too on some pics on Flickr

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It could be that they have busses with 2 different types of screens. One could be Mobitec and the other Hanover. So they will have 2 seperate pieces of software to manage them and then have inconsitancies.

 

[SteveyBee131]

It could be that they have busses with 2 different types of screens. One could be Mobitec and the other Hanover. So they will have 2 seperate pieces of software to manage them and then have inconsitancies.

The 2 vehicles pictured look to both be fitted with Hanover equipment. However the green one is displaying via points scrolling across (called SuperX on Hanover programming software) whilst the other is only showing 1 via point at once (non-SuperX), which can give differing fonts and appearance on the finished article.

Both of the main display software providers offerings come with many options for fonts and other settings which can be defined by the user.

 

[kez19]

It could be that they have busses with 2 different types of screens. One could be Mobitec and the other Hanover. So they will have 2 seperate pieces of software to manage them and then have inconsitancies.

See the other thing is they still have the older Geminis and even on that display it says destination with the via points but doesn't scroll, so at a guess this will be a Hanover display but using dated software? (compared to the other pics posted??)

 

[kez19]

The 2 vehicles pictured look to both be fitted with Hanover equipment. However the green one is displaying via points scrolling across (called SuperX on Hanover programming software) whilst the other is only showing 1 via point at once (non-SuperX), which can give differing fonts and appearance on the finished article.

Both of the main display software providers offerings come with many options for fonts and other settings which can be defined by the user.

I just thought it was weird and thinking it was just my imagination seeing two different fonts but the thng is sometimes I am sure I have seen the fonts change on their newer buses ie one time you see the bus its using the one font and the next its using the other font (again could be wrong and apologies!), I just done another search on Flickr and my theory is part right when I say Xplore Dundee new buses as in the pictures 2242 has a different font yet 2243 shows the other!

What is the difference in the software that is used? What is Super X? (is Super X a programme that lets them programme scrolling and other techniques on the Hanover displays?)

 

[SteveyBee131]

I just thought it was weird and thinking it was just my imagination seeing two different fonts but the thng is sometimes I am sure I have seen the fonts change on their newer buses ie one time you see the bus its using the one font and the next its using the other font (again could be wrong and apologies!), I just done another search on Flickr and my theory is part right when I say Xplore Dundee new buses as in the pictures 2242 has a different font yet 2243 shows the other!

What is the difference in the software that is used? What is Super X? (is Super X a programme that lets them programme scrolling and other techniques on the Hanover displays?)

With the Hanover system, the SuperX option allows for via points (indeed destination and route number if you wanted!) to scroll across. It's not different software, just a checkbox option at programming level.

The different fonts/styles seen on the same bus could be possible if both styles have ended up programmed in at different times on different codes. Perhaps one driver put in code 0029/0001 which has one font, and then another driver put in 0029/0101 which conveys the same information but using a different one. It's possible to have 9999 different route numbers and 9999 different screens for those routes (and that's just numbers, letters are also possible!) so it starts to get in the realms of limitless!

 

[kez19]

With the Hanover system, the SuperX option allows for via points (indeed destination and route number if you wanted!) to scroll across. It's not different software, just a checkbox option at programming level.

The different fonts/styles seen on the same bus could be possible if both styles have ended up programmed in at different times on different codes. Perhaps one driver put in code 0029/0001 which has one font, and then another driver put in 0029/0101 which conveys the same information but using a different one. It's possible to have 9999 different route numbers and 9999 different screens for those routes (and that's just numbers, letters are also possible!) so it starts to get in the realms of limitless!

That does make sense when you look at it that way , you would think of deleting previous entries (as such) so you kept to the one style than what looks like dodgying between fonts for routes (I get the point as well its not a major issue of course). Must be the person that does it at Xplore must be still trying to work out how to use it lol

I understand this with the more updated buses (per se) but i'm guessing it must be slightly different with the older Geminis in the fleet they have, as I initially wondered why they don't "scroll" they just highlight the via but yet it can display "hospital" at the end? Is that just the same?

 

[SteveyBee131]

That does make sense when you look at it that way , you would think of deleting previous entries (as such) so you kept to the one style than what looks like dodgying between fonts for routes (I get the point as well its not a major issue of course). Must be the person that does it at Xplore must be still trying to work out how to use it lol

I understand this with the more updated buses (per se) but i'm guessing it must be slightly different with the older Geminis in the fleet they have, as I initially wondered why they don't "scroll" they just highlight the via but yet it can display "hospital" at the end? Is that just the same?

It would make sense to delete the old entries and keep things to a uniform style!

If I get your question right, with the non-scrolling via points it's possible to have up to 16 (I think?) different ones which it will alternate through whilst the destination and route number stay the same.

 

[kez19]

It would make sense to delete the old entries and keep things to a uniform style!

If I get your question right, with the non-scrolling via points it's possible to have up to 16 (I think?) different ones which it will alternate through whilst the destination and route number stay the same.

I think I understand and thank you for the help (all replies)

 

[Pat1105]

If I get your question right, with the non-scrolling via points it's possible to have up to 16 (I think?) different ones which it will alternate through whilst the destination and route number stay the same.

Yes, Helen (the software for programming Hanover displays) allows for 16 static rotations.

 

[SteveyBee131]

I think I understand and thank you for the help (all replies)

Pleased to help, you're very welcome

 

[py_megapixel]

Not sure if this has come up yet but occasionally rail replacement buses bear the wording "RAIL REPLACEMENT SERVICE - Choo Choo I'm A Train"

 

[kez19]

Pleased to help, you're very welcome

One other question i'll throw regarding displays can bus operators change the colour on the screens?

same bus but 2 different colours (just to point out the screen on the bus is now white -- can bus operators do this to all buses or just certain ones?), as these recent additions to Xplore's fleet are the only ones where the white colour is applied and on the others its just as pic 1...

 

[kez19]

Not sure if this has come up yet but occasionally rail replacement buses bear the wording "RAIL REPLACEMENT SERVICE - Choo Choo I'm A Train"

I seen a few pics on Flickr with Go North East that seem to at least state its destination (or next destination) than just Rail Replacement Service, its probably rare in my area this happens has they seem to hire out coach companies than the likes of Xplore/Stagecoach in the area

 

[SteveyBee131]

One other question i'll throw regarding displays can bus operators change the colour on the screens?

same bus but 2 different colours (just to point out the screen on the bus is now white -- can bus operators do this to all buses or just certain ones?), as these recent additions to Xplore's fleet are the only ones where the white colour is applied and on the others its just as pic 1...

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It used to be orange ones came as standard from Hanover/Mobitec etc unless the bus company specified different. I don't know if things have changed and white is now standard though as Stagecoach (and some others I've seen) recent acquisitions have white LEDs.

The same bus being seen with orange one day and white another is a weird one! The only possible explanation I can come up with is perhaps it was new with orange LEDs, but that screen was replaced soon after for some reason?

There are screens available which are capable of showing multiple colours, but I'm led to believe they're significantly more expensive than single colour ones, which is why it wasn't my first thought.

 

[Trackman]

As if by magic, there was a software update yesterday.
I know this as whilst I'm stuck up here on lockdown sometimes I watch the buses in the morning with my cuppa to see how many are on.
The 36 goes by me and on Tuesday it said 'Piccadilly - via Salford Shopping centre' and 'Bolton Interchange via..'
Now it says 'Manchester - via ...' and 'Bolton - via ..'
Only slight snag now is that it doesn't say whereabouts in Manchester it's going - Bolton should be OK as I think all buses go to the interchange.
This could be remidied by changing the side/door displays to the full destination, i.e Manchester Shudehill. (at the moment it just says 'Manchester') .. if you're listening Diamond..

There's been a further software update, my wishes have been granted!
It now says exactly where it is going - 'Manchester Piccadilly Gardens'.
This is good, if it said 'Manchester Piccadilly' which it used to when First had it, out of towners would assume it goes to the train station, which it doesn't, it's in fact another tram stop or a 10 minute walk away.

 

[kez19]

It used to be orange ones came as standard from Hanover/Mobitec etc unless the bus company specified different. I don't know if things have changed and white is now standard though as Stagecoach (and some others I've seen) recent acquisitions have white LEDs.

The same bus being seen with orange one day and white another is a weird one! The only possible explanation I can come up with is perhaps it was new with orange LEDs, but that screen was replaced soon after for some reason?

There are screens available which are capable of showing multiple colours, but I'm led to believe they're significantly more expensive than single colour ones, which is why it wasn't my first thought.

I did think that too but I believe the whole new fleet of these in general are now white than orange (I was baffled too when I was able to see the 2 colours, so thought they had a way to change colour), I agree with you in terms in relation to Stagecoach with white LEDs as pretty much when I visit Newcastle some of the Go North East fleet had white LEDs on theirs ie pics on Flickr (sorry if I am comparing other bus companies). Odd thing a few weeks ago on one of their fleet the screen at the front was "flickering" with the destination partly showing (not a good look with that happening!)

Regarding screens being available with multiple colours i'm guessing thats something Go North East had ran with for a while (and on some of their buses you see the colour change on certain services ie X1 10 (same style is applied but on some its just the standard orange colours)

 

[carlberry]

There's been a further software update, my wishes have been granted!
It now says exactly where it is going - 'Manchester Piccadilly Gardens'.
This is good, if it said 'Manchester Piccadilly' which it used to when First had it, out of towners would assume it goes to the train station, which it doesn't, it's in fact another tram stop or a 10 minute walk away.

If they're out of towners they want a bus to Manchester. Adding Piccadilly just makes it slightly more confusing and is only helpful if there are other routes from the same place to other parts of central Manchester, Adding Gardens to Piccadilly just adds to the potential for confusion and, for anybody who wants to go to the train station, it's still going to be the bus they catch.

 

[py_megapixel]

If they're out of towners they want a bus to Manchester. Adding Piccadilly just makes it slightly more confusing and is only helpful if there are other routes from the same place to other parts of central Manchester, Adding Gardens to Piccadilly just adds to the potential for confusion and, for anybody who wants to go to the train station, it's still going to be the bus they catch.

I disagree. Some places (e.g. the Trafford Centre) have buses to both Piccadilly Gardens and Shudehill, and it's quite some distance if you end up at the wrong one. A good format I think is something like
Manchester
Piccadilly Gardens
but that doesn't leave space for anything else (e.g. intermediate stops)

 

[Westcountryman]

White seems to be a much better colour. The issue with orange is that, as the intensity of the screen is frequently lower when the headlights are switched on, the displays become virtually illegible in bright light. White doesn't seem to suffer the same issue. An alternative may be to link dimming of the display to an ambient light sensor, rather than to the headlights.

 

[Andyh82]

If they're out of towners they want a bus to Manchester. Adding Piccadilly just makes it slightly more confusing and is only helpful if there are other routes from the same place to other parts of central Manchester, Adding Gardens to Piccadilly just adds to the potential for confusion and, for anybody who wants to go to the train station, it's still going to be the bus they catch.

I remember back in the day of GM Buses and First “Greater Manchester” with the roller blinds, buses would leave from the far sides of the likes of Oldham and Rochdale just displaying “Piccadilly”or “Arndale”, no mention of Manchester and no mention they were going to another town first.

 

[Tetchytyke]

Regarding screens being available with multiple colours i'm guessing thats something Go North East had ran with for a while

Yeah, at the height of their route branding craze they got the number on the display to match the colour of the bus (e.g. the 21 came with a pink 21 number, as shown attached- not my photo).

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Go_North_East_bus_3964_Volvo_B7TL_Wrightbus_Eclipse_Gemini_NK06_JXC_The_Angel_livery_in_Gateshead_5_May_2009.JPG

no mention of Manchester

Go had that for a bit too, buses as far away as Bishop Auckland simply saying "Eldon Square" on the blind.

 

[Pat1105]

One other question i'll throw regarding displays can bus operators change the colour on the screens?

same bus but 2 different colours (just to point out the screen on the bus is now white -- can bus operators do this to all buses or just certain ones?), as these recent additions to Xplore's fleet are the only ones where the white colour is applied and on the others its just as pic 1...

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You can get blinds that have multi colour LED’s that can be programmed to a colour of your choice. Arriva Shrewsbury have them for the P&R versa’s.

 

[kez19]

You can get blinds that have multi colour LED’s that can be programmed to a colour of your choice. Arriva Shrewsbury have them for the P&R versa’s.

I never knew that either!

 

[kez19]

Yeah, at the height of their route branding craze they got the number on the display to match the colour of the bus (e.g. the 21 came with a pink 21 number, as shown attached- not my photo).

https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/7/79/Go_North_East_bus_3964_Volvo_B7TL_Wrightbus_Eclipse_Gemini_NK06_JXC_The_Angel_livery_in_Gateshead_5_May_2009.JPG

Go had that for a bit too, buses as far away as Bishop Auckland simply saying "Eldon Square" on the blind.

I have noticed that on the times I have visited Newcastle but it seems they have (correct me) only have it still on certain routes from memory it seems to be X1, 4 (has a different font possibly?) 10/A, no offence but it seems to be at least in England the bus companies do experiment more with their blinds here its now they have clicked onto "scrolling" the via points - give it a year or so and i'll probably see bus companies change to be similar in England...

 

[WM Bus]

Nowadays, NX short journeys that are timetabled do not use ‘E’. Instead, they just display the normal number and destination. For example, there is a 19 (Dudley - QEH) journey that is timetabled to terminate at Halesowen. It just displays 19 & Halesowen + the relevant via points.

Not all of them. The 28 shorts to Old Oscott on a Sunday/In the evening usually display when I've seen them:
28E Old Oscott
PART ROUTE.
All 28 journeys run between Old Oscott and Small Heath in the evenings and on sundays.
I saw some on the bank holiday Monday just gone.

Also timetabled shorts on the 11A and 11C to Acocks Green Garage/Ward End/Harborne, display 11E and PART ROUTE.

 

[kez19]

Not all of them. The 28 shorts to Old Oscott on a Sunday/In the evening usually display when I've seen them:
28E Old Oscott
PART ROUTE.
All 28 journeys run between Old Oscott and Small Heath in the evenings and on sundays.

Also timetabled shorts on the 11A and 11C to Acocks Green Garage/Ward End/Harborne, display 11E and PART ROUTE.

I hope I understand this NXWM use both E and display Part Route for shorter journeys? This whole E thing up in Dundee for me makes little or no sense as the 17E is basically Ninewells Hospital (and its a fair distance to come from Whitfield -- about 6 miles or so!) and its the only service they use it on... get the feeling someone is on the E's at Xplore taken the p**s, or basically have no real idea what the letters are for?

The only services that are generally lettered in Dundee is the St Marys-City Centre route 1A/1B, the rest during the day are not ie 15/17 28/29 but evenings/sundays 9/10s become A's and I believe they run a 22A after midnight to Strathmartine Hospital. It just seems to me the Whitfield route is used as an experiment for no reason, Xplore aren't that quick with sticking newer buses on certain routes just seems more like favouritism if I am honest (sorry to rant)....

 

[WM Bus]

I hope I understand this NXWM use both E and display Part Route for shorter journeys?

Yes the short journey displays use both E and PART ROUTE.
See the picture below:

BJ03EWX National Express West Midlands 94E 4489

Explore Matt's Transport Photography's 77776 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

They don't use the E on the X routes however, though PART ROUTE is still used:

NXWM 4185

Operator: National Express West Midlands Bus Type: Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident Registration: Y789 TOH Fleet Number: 4185 Garage: Birmingham Central Route: X20 University Location: Birmingham

www.flickr.com

 

[kez19]

Yes the short journey displays use both E and PART ROUTE.
See the picture below:

BJ03EWX National Express West Midlands 94E 4489

Explore Matt's Transport Photography's 77776 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

They don't use the E on the X routes however, though PART ROUTE is still used:

NXWM 4185

Operator: National Express West Midlands Bus Type: Alexander ALX400 bodied Dennis Trident Registration: Y789 TOH Fleet Number: 4185 Garage: Birmingham Central Route: X20 University Location: Birmingham

www.flickr.com

It does seem for me up here in Dundee Xplore has no clue on what they are doing, the only thing I am aware is part route mostly but this E (I totally understand what is being said as I am guessing it's been mostly used with NXWM) there is nothing to really explain the logic as to why they adopted it for the one route mostly at evenings and is only displayed one way...

By chance and only at a guess but since its going to a hospital can E be for Emergency? If they wanted to step it up a notch implement the H symbol!

 

[ACBest]

On the subject of full colour displays, Marshalls of Sutton on Trent had a demo last year which had a full colour front display. Safe to say, I used the colours to their full potential!