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https://nxbus.co.uk/west-midlands/news/birmingham-city-centre-bus-stop-changes?utm_source=Facebook&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=SocialSignIn

Park Street closes to all traffic permanently from 5th July; naturally, the Coventry Road services will be affected, but it appears it'll also have an effect on other city services.

It also appears the 16 will no longer serve Priory Queensway; with no alternative stop on the road in either direction. Its inbound stop will be served by Pershore Road, which, in turn, will no longer serve Carrs Lane/High Street.

Quite a domino effect with these changes, in my opinion - not all of which I'm on board with, admittedly. (Pardon the pun  :P )

[Cardiff Central Station]

As a result of a spontaneously impulsive booking; I found myself in Cardiff for my 19th.

For a fleet of just over 200 vehicles, I was surprised to see so much variety! Having only gotten into bus photography in recent years, I've regretfully missed out on a lot of the West Midlands' more 'interesting' vehicles. Notably, our artic Omnicitys; a vehicle type that Cardiff still run in abundance! Naturally, during my visit, I was transfixed by their examples - which, of the ones I sampled, still seem to be in very good knack!


Cardiff Central Station
601 (baycar)
https://flic.kr/p/2iaKUwf

Westgate Street
609
https://flic.kr/p/2ibHjsf
616
https://flic.kr/p/2iaZsWa

still plenty of photos to unload onto flickr over the next few days!

[Princes Street]

Princes Street
1091
https://flic.kr/p/2fE2TRm

I was lucky enough to spend my weekend in Edinburgh, where I finally got to snap (and sample) Lothian's Enviro 400 XLBs - which I've been dying to do!

I think this photo really does do the length of the vehicle some justice. Remarkable machines, if a little less beefy than our own 68 plates in the West Midlands. :P (Granted, it's a different chassis)

Borders Buses is a bus company based in Berwick-upon-Tweed, England.

Borders Buses can trace its origins back to 1972, when a taxi service commenced operating in the small village of Burnmouth in the Scottish Borders under the Perryman's banner, before moving to new larger premises in Berwick-upon-Tweed in 2002. In 2013 a second depot was opened in St Boswells following the winning of a number of routes previously operated by Munro's of Jedburgh. In February 2016, the business was sold by Richard Perryman to West Coast Motors.

In 2016, Perryman's took over several services from First Scotland East. In July 2017, the business was rebranded as Borders Buses.

As of August 2018, Borders Buses operated 40 services.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Borders_Buses


Some of you may or may not have seen that Borders Buses have taken delivery of three full length Enviro 400 MMCs.

These three buses have been fitted with bicycle racks; storing up to two bikes at a time, currently. There are plans, as the branding above the door suggests, to expand the bicycle-carrying capacity to four. I believe another operator to carrry bike-racks on board are the Stagecoach Lakesider, with their Open Top B5TLs. Any thoughts on this?


Additionally, for the next two weeks, it looks as though Borders Buses has the new E200MMC demonstrator (YX19 OWA) on loan; which features that new ironing-board-like seating with (e)leather trim, USB/Wireless charging, and ADL's SmartVision cameras - like that on NXWM's 6937.

It'll work between Gala & Carlisle on the first week, and then Edinburgh & Hawick (presumably on the X95) for the second. Hoping to catch a photo of it, when I'm in Edinburgh in a few days time.

I was hoping we could use this thread to exchange tips and tricks for capturing the "money shot"; discussion of places for photography are also very welcome.

Not too long ago, I picked up a book online; Mark Lyon's 'Bus Photography for the Digital Age'. I'll admit that it's quite dated now, so I got it at a pretty price (around 84% off its RRP!). A lot of its content still seems very relevant, and has helped me a fair bit in improving my own skills - if I do say so myself. The book itself delves into discussing the ins and outs of bus photography, and even digital editing, for that more 'professional' finish. Though, I'm hardly a professional, am I?  :P Bus photography, like for many among us I suppose, is just a past-time/hobby. Having said that, I'll still encourage the discussion of technical jargon. I'm not a "professional" by any means, but I'm not completely without any idea of photography terminology at all...  :)

I'll also be interested to know what kind of setup we use; i.e. our camera of choice. Feel free to share at your own discretion. My iPhone served me well for a long while. However, in between quickly running out of memory, battery issues, and (rarely) overheating, I've now resorted to switch to using (or borrowing, rather) my sister's camera; a Canon EOS 200D. I still use my phone on the rare occasion in which my sister wants to use her own camera; well, I guess it's only fair.  ;)

[Nottingham Station]

My second time to Nottingham, ever. Trent Barton liveries are just something special, aren't they? *hearteyes*

Nottingham Station
115
https://flic.kr/p/NZkRkd
217
https://flic.kr/p/29JHDfK
731
https://flic.kr/p/29JHDci
744
https://flic.kr/p/2b3GCa1

[sixteen]

Hello all,

I'm off to London in the forthcoming week. I've booked the tickets and have already collected them a few days ago. There's four of us going; travelling on advance singles, which are only valid with a 'reservation' ticket - in each direction, that would make it two tickets per person (four, both ways), which equates to sixteen tickets in total.

I visited New Street today, in hopes of returning with one of the ticket wallets that fold out into three sections (y'know, like this: https://www.picclickimg.com/d/w1600/pict/132420187077_/National-Rail-Wallet-Holds.jpg) - only to be turned away. The reasoning behind this? Apparently, these ticket wallets are "only available to passengers who possess a season ticket?" Personally, I've never heard this before. Usually, I'd pop in and out with no trouble whatsoever - leaving with what I went in for; whether it be the NatEx Travelshop, the NWM shop, or even Moor Street Station.

Having said that, I know you'd be thinking "well, why wouldn't you just go to Moor Street Station?" - truth be told, I'm not too keen on the Chiltern Railways one that they give you. I find it a bit big; much bigger than the example I've linked. But, I guess that's just me being picky. I'm not sure what my point was going to be, or what I was originally going to ask.

Has anyone ever been denied a ticket wallet? Not quite sure why they would; the reason they have is absurd, in my opinion. Thoughts?

Have only seen what's on their website, but not one in the flesh... until about a few moments ago!

Currently on 6778 (126) going Birmingham bound, I saw one of these electric taxis in a sort of psychadelic monochrome wrap going the other way. No doubt about it. I'm unsure as to whether it's a promotional wrap, or one to "distract" (per se) like the one we saw on the E400MMC a while back. I doubt the latter, as there are plenty of photos of its design already, but was just curious to know if any of these new fully-electric H.C.s are in service?

It's called the TX apparently.

Is it worth starting a thread where those unsure of how much a bus fare costs just post it in one place - as opposed to spamming the operator threads? Just a thought.

Anyhow, my question is how much is a Child Day ticket for the Sapphire 110, from Birmingham to Tamworth, and vice versa.

I bought a Child Midlands Area m-Ticket (£4.10) and was wondering if Birmingham/Tamworth is in this boundary for using the mTicket?

[or]

As far as i'm aware, West Midlands regional travelcards are accepted in Coventry - Adult or Child, correct?

What my sister wants to know is: could you use a NXWM Daysaver in Coventry?

http://www.route-one.net/technology/chinese-in-19m-byd-battery-bus-tie-up-with-adl/

I live close enough on the 101 route, in and around the Hockley area, and I've noticed on Pitsford Street the big Industrial Estate, where they keep a lot of BT Openreach service vehicles(?) - anyway, I walked past it once, and I noticed on the sign, one of the 'areas' was labelled 'Arriva PLC', and was just wondering, if it had anything to do with the operator, and if so, what is it/what do they specialise in?

See for yourself:
https://www.google.co.uk/maps/@52.490322,-1.920429,3a,17.7y,343.62h,89.89t/data=!3m6!1e1!3m4!1srhgV2FGsmORLfkqRuSbokg!2e0!7i13312!8i6656

I hope nobody minds me 'plugging in' my own operation here; but this thread is meant to be devoted to paperbuses, real or fictional - sure, anybody can join in...

I'd like to introduce my *fictional* company, UKBus. They have recently announced two new operators in the West Midlands region, respectively named 'WMBus' and 'PRIMEBus', which may appear in other regions, like Arriva Sapphire.

WMBus has recently announced a competition, prior to their new buses entering service for the first time, to name one of 12 single decker midibuses. https://www.flickr.com/photos/122377951@N02/19070380121/in/dateposted-public/ (Rules in Photo)

Disclaimer: WMBus was inspired by OwnTheWorld paperbuses.

http://www.route-one.net/vehicles/first-look-volvo-b5tl-mcv-evoseti/

Whilst not the most attractive design, it's certainly not the worst! The interior seems nice, with high-backed seats and plenty of handrails near the doors, perfect for when the bus is at standing capacity. However, i'm a bit skeptical about the EYMS livery. It's certainly traditional, but in my opinion, it doesn't do the bus any favours.  :P

Something I've just noticed whilst browsing...

On 1812's picture, third one from bottom (on the 16) - the logo font is not the usual TWM 'Cosmos' font, or at least, it's not the 'regular' one. See, the photo underneath (on the 97) shows the logo in a much more slimmer alternative... Was this an 'experiment'?

http://wmbusphotos.com/NXWM/1750-1953/1812.html

Aside from on Centro/NX property, i.e. Bus Stations, Garages, etc... Can anybody tell me any quiet, quiet, 'suburban' spots where I can photograph buses? And to clarify, if I had a regional travelcard, would I be able to use NXCoventry routes also?

I already have a small list of places where I can take these photos, and I wish to expand the list. A few examples would be:

- Hockley Hill
- Newtown Row
- Edmund Street, near Museum

Thanks in advance! :)

Interesting article I stumbled upon. Video in article:

http://www.itv.com/news/central/2015-03-13/west-midlands-biggest-private-sector-employer-to-pay-staff-the-living-wage/

Upon a simple google image search of 'nxwm' - I stumbled upon three interesting photos, all from a 'currently unavailable' website, Splash Associate. One of NX Hybrid livery on an E400, then a set of 'posters' - which seem to advertise bus travel, etc...

http://www.splashassociates.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/03/2013.SPLASH.NXWM_.7.jpg
http://www.splashassociates.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/nx_50.jpg
http://www.splashassociates.net/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/nx_student.jpg

Update: It's working... Here's a link:
http://www.splashassociates.com/

Been thinking about bus advertising for the past week or so... I recognised the ExterionMedia Logo, from the 'Year of the Bus' scheme in London during 2014, on an 'advertise here' poster on NX's buses. I decided to check the website, and may I say, they really are very professional. As I looked deeper into the site, it redirected me to their Vimeo page of themselves repainting a Borismaster into the Youtube Ad livery.



Second video, LED adverts. You can see some NXDundee buses here...

Just had a look at the Alexander Dennis site, and I noticed an E-Shop window. Here's a link: (Mainly products with logo on them)
http://www.alexanderdenniseshop.com/

(Original Site)
http://www.alexander-dennis.com/

It got me thinking, what if these e-Shops had some 'model buses' - y'know, for enthusiasts... For example, they could stock some 'demo' vehicles, like CMNL's White Demonstrator Vehicle: http://www.modelbuszone.co.uk/cmnl/dd/6000/ukbus6010.htm

Of course, as a bus manufacturer, real buses are their priority, but it's just a thought.