Trivia: Rarest multiple-digit bus route numbers

[PTR 444]

In recent years, there has been a trend for bus companies to discontinue higher numbers in favour of single digits for their routes, with or without prefixes/suffixes. This has meant several double digit numbers have been discontinued in many areas altogether. A recent example is the changing of Stagecoach’s Oxford - Swindon route from 66 to S6. While 66 remains a popular number for bus routes due to its memorability (common with repeated digits), are there many examples of double or triple digit numbers which are rarely used for bus routes, or not even used at all?

 

[carlberry]

In recent years, there has been a trend for bus companies to discontinue higher numbers in favour of single digits for their routes, with or without prefixes/suffixes. This has meant several double digit numbers have been discontinued in many areas altogether. A recent example is the changing of Stagecoach’s Oxford - Swindon route from 66 to S6. While 66 remains a popular number for bus routes due to its memorability (common with repeated digits), are there many examples of double digit numbers which are rarely used for bus routes, or not even used at all?

In short, no! The least popular appear to be 87 and 92 with 23 uses, 1 being the most popular with 247 (this ignores all variants/names etc). Least popular three digit is 858 with 1 that I can find, then lots with only 2 (264, 295, 298 etc)

 

[61653 HTAFC]

One would expect that route 13 would be skipped by many operators due to superstition...

 

[MotCO]

One would expect that route 13 would be skipped by many operators due to superstition...

Or 666

 

[carlberry]

One would expect that route 13 would be skipped by many operators due to superstition...

It's the least popular number below 24.

 

[PTR 444]

In short, no! The least popular appear to be 87 and 92 with 23 uses, 1 being the most popular with 247 (this ignores all variants/names etc). Least popular three digit is 858 with 1 that I can find, then lots with only 2 (264, 295, 298 etc)

How do you find this out so quickly? Is there a National database for route numbers or something?

 

[carlberry]

How do you find this out so quickly? Is there a National database for route numbers or something?

All of the Traveline data is available for download, it's basically taken from that. It does have issues with things like '1 Call Connect' for example which is obviously a service 1 but gets counted as a different entry.

 

[PTR 444]

All of the Traveline data is available for download, it's basically taken from that. It does have issues with things like '1 Call Connect' for example which is obviously a service 1 but gets counted as a different entry.

Ahh cool. Might have a look if it’s in the public domain.

 

[pdq]

I'd have thought 69 may be uncommon, if only to avoid teenage boys sniggering

 

[Ken H]

All of the Traveline data is available for download, it's basically taken from that. It does have issues with things like '1 Call Connect' for example which is obviously a service 1 but gets counted as a different entry.

or use bustimes. Search for a number and you get a full list

 

[philthetube]

In short, no! The least popular appear to be 87 and 92 with 23 uses, 1 being the most popular with 247 (this ignores all variants/names etc). Least popular three digit is 858 with 1 that I can find, then lots with only 2 (264, 295, 298 etc)

obviously a few radio 1 fans around. (if you are under 60 please do not attempt to understand this).

 

[Busaholic]

One would expect that route 13 would be skipped by many operators due to superstition...

TfL changed their 82 route to become 13 when they withdrew the 'real' 13. Mind you, B Johnson was Mayor at the time and wanted to pretend the 13 hadn't actually been withdrawn i.e. part of a pattern of behaviour that has permeated his political career.

 

[Typhoon]

One would expect that route 13 would be skipped by many operators due to superstition...

Kent has the 'bus route of the beast'. Goes to Ashford!

 

[Flange Squeal]

Kent has the 'bus route of the beast'. Goes to Ashford!

Kingsman even used to display a devil on the destination board, but it got removed supposedly after some complaints.

KT03BUS-KINGSMAN TRAVEL 666 ASHFORD

Explore In Memoriam: BRIAN S EAST's 36339 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I'd have thought 69 may be uncommon, if only to avoid teenage boys sniggering

Not necessarily - some even have a route branded version

Golden oldies 3

Going through some old images (of slightly varying quality) and thought I'd post them to illustrate how the mundane of the early 2000s has become a bit more interesting as vehicle types and liveries disappear. A grainy shot of Arriva North East Dart SLF 1620 S620KHN in Bishop Auckland bus...

www.flickr.com

Thankfully, it was in standard Arriva fashion and nothing X rated (credit to photographer)

 

[Typhoon]

Kingsman even used to display a devil on the destination board, but it got removed supposedly after some complaints.

KT03BUS-KINGSMAN TRAVEL 666 ASHFORD

Explore In Memoriam: BRIAN S EAST's 36339 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Spoilsports!

Thanks for that. I hadn't realised Kingman ran it - the first operator I remember is Kent Top Travel (?)

The last time I went to use that route, the bus broke down (in Faversham) and the driver was waiting for a replacement. Maybe they should change the number?

 

[carlberry]

Not necessarily - some even have a route branded version

Golden oldies 3

Going through some old images (of slightly varying quality) and thought I'd post them to illustrate how the mundane of the early 2000s has become a bit more interesting as vehicle types and liveries disappear. A grainy shot of Arriva North East Dart SLF 1620 S620KHN in Bishop Auckland bus...

www.flickr.com

Thankfully, it was in standard Arriva fashion and nothing X rated (credit to photographer)

If that's what you're into then Fromebus has an X69 (Frome - Bradford on Avon - Melksham).


Theres also the ability to ride the 69 with views from on top:

https://www.visitthanet.co.uk/attractions/open-top-bus-11767/

Thanet Open Top Bus​

The hugely popular Open-Top Bus 'route 69' will be returning to Thanet for 2021, running the popular route between Ramsgate Boating Pool and Broadstairs Stone Bay.

 

[GusB]

obviously a few radio 1 fans around. (if you are under 60 please do not attempt to understand this).

Maybe I'm old before my time (I'm only 47), but understand it

 

[Bus Lightyear]

I'm prepared to be corrected but I believe that route numbers 86, 91, and 96 are not used by any operator in Scotland.

 

[Typhoon]

I'm prepared to be corrected but I believe that route numbers 86, 91, and 96 are not used by any operator in Scotland.

According to bustimes, there is an 86 from Newtown St Boswells to Kelso. operated by Scottish Borders Council. One journey each way, weekdays only, Its on their website so I guess it isn't a closed door service.

 

[carlberry]

I'm prepared to be corrected but I believe that route numbers 86, 91, and 96 are not used by any operator in Scotland.

Stagecoach in Fife have an 86. 91 with Stuarts and Borders plus one on Shetland and a 91a with Sweeney. 96 With West Coast.

 

[Trackman]

One would expect that route 13 would be skipped by many operators due to superstition...

There's a 13 in London.
going off on a tangent somewhat, is it in China or somewhere that doesn't have a floor 13 in Hospitals? (Could be an urban myth)

I'd have thought 69 may be uncommon, if only to avoid teenage boys sniggering

Douglas Adams said he had to find the most funniest number for his book... well.. it was...as most of we know was 42.

When I think of 69, I think of 'Sham 69. ...

 

[Stan Drews]

I'm prepared to be corrected but I believe that route numbers 86, 91, and 96 are not used by any operator in Scotland.

We used to have a full set of 91-99 routes at St Andrews, in the early 00s.

 

[Flange Squeal]

Had a thought with White Bus' Ascot to Windsor route "01" (zero, not 'O') being a potential good contender, but was surprised to see a few operators have similar two digit routes beginning with a zero. The Soar Valley Community Bus seem to be the only ones with an 02/04/05/06/07 though?

 

[hst43102]

Kingsman even used to display a devil on the destination board, but it got removed supposedly after some complaints.

KT03BUS-KINGSMAN TRAVEL 666 ASHFORD

Explore In Memoriam: BRIAN S EAST's 36339 photos on Flickr!

www.flickr.com

Slightly off topic but I must say that is a very nice looking Citaro.

 

[Rob F]

West Yorkshire PTE used to have a 666 that ran between Bradford and Skipton, I believe.

 

[WM Bus]

One would expect that route 13 would be skipped by many operators due to superstition...

There's a 13 in London.

3 in Birmingham:
X13 Birmingham to Chelmsley Wood via Bromford and Coleshill.
13 Birmingham to Oldbury via Bearwood (Sandon Road).
13A Birmingham to Blackheath via Bearwood (Sandon Road)

Coventry has a 13/13A to (Willenhall to Whitmore Park via City Centre)

One I think is weirdly numbered is 002 Weoley Castle to Merry Hill Centre.

 

[Typhoon]

3 in Birmingham:
X13 Birmingham to Chelmsley Wood via Bromford and Coleshill.
13 Birmingham to Oldbury via Bearwood (Sandon Road).
13A Birmingham to Blackheath via Bearwood (Sandon Road)

Coventry has a 13/13A to (Willenhall to Whitmore Park via City Centre)

One I think is weirdly numbered is 002 Weoley Castle to Merry Hill Centre.

002 was a Ludlow's service back in the day. All of their Merry Hill routes began '00' if I remember rightly. No idea why, possibly to distinguish them from other companies (the Merry Hill minibuses had seemingly meaningless numbers). There used to be an '007' which went to Bromsgrove. Ludlow's were a decent. innovative company in my view.

 

[TheSel]

One would expect that route 13 would be skipped by many operators due to superstition...

In the 1920s, Crosville refused to use '13' as a fleet number for reasons of superstition, but instead used 'AC' (A = 1, C = 3) on two vehicles (at different times), registered 'FM2849' (a 32 seat Leyland GH7) and 'FM5243' (a 27 seat Leyland Lioness) respectively.

West Yorkshire PTE used to have a 666 that ran between Bradford and Skipton, I believe.

They certainly did - a West Yorkshire Road Car service. Image (below) shows West Yorkshire Road Car's ECW bodied Bristol VR '1755' (PWY41W) on that very service passing through Steeton in March 1987. Note the pale blue overall advert livery for National Holidays, a livery worn on a few vehicles by various NBC / post-NBC operators around the time of deregulation.

 

[Bus Lightyear]

According to bustimes, there is an 86 from Newtown St Boswells to Kelso. operated by Scottish Borders Council. One journey each way, weekdays only, Its on their website so I guess it isn't a closed door service.

Stagecoach in Fife have an 86. 91 with Stuarts and Borders plus one on Shetland and a 91a with Sweeney. 96 With West Coast.

Thanks guys. Never though to look on Bustimes or Traveline.

We used to have a full set of 91-99 routes at St Andrews, in the early 00s.

I mind some of these Fife Scottish routes from Leven to St Andrews via Anstruther with mk1 Volvo Ailsas flying along the road.