What is the most vague destination on NX buses?
The ones that I have thought of are:
14 and 97 (should have a qualifier. They go past the main interchange. It's much worse when the 14 gets the occasional short journey to Pine Square and it just says Chelmsley Wood.
24 (Quinton Road West is still in Woodgate Valley North why not just make Quinton Road West a qualifier)
16 (used to have the Green Lane qualifier in the past, don't know why it was removed same with the 97 and 97A when it went to Bluebell Drive).
101 (the weirdest one because to new people it looks like it terminates in the main part of Handsworth)
Feel free to add more of your own.
Anything with City Centre on the displays
Quote from: the trainbasher on December 03, 2020, 03:23:15 PM
Anything with City Centre on the displays
I've got a better one.
Anything with Birmingham on it. Considering the City Centre is split into several interchanges, just having Birmingham is insanely stupid.
The pedant in me wants to point out Circular routes, in terms of destination just displaying "circular"
997E blinds say Pheasey Deers Leap yet the deers leap is across the Queslett Road in Kingstanding. Should say Pheasey Doe Bank instead.
Quote from: BrumKev86 on December 03, 2020, 04:29:56 PM
997E blinds say Pheasey Deers Leap yet the deers leap is across the Queslett Road in Kingstanding. Should say Pheasey Doe Bank instead.
Didn't help that blind used to say "via Stanhope Way" at one point...Which is the road it terminates on... 😂😂😂
One that springs to mind straight away is 32 "Lyndon". It's the name of an electoral ward in Solihull, a school and a pub but not an actual place. Admittedly the route does pass through a good portion of the electoral ward, runs past the pub and within about a 5 minute walk of the school but the destination is still a bit vague.
Quote from: Busboy105 on December 03, 2020, 03:25:12 PM
I've got a better one.
Anything with Birmingham on it. Considering the City Centre is split into several interchanges, just having Birmingham is insanely stupid.
This is map of Birmingham:
https://www.astonsu.com/pageassets/housing/astonstudenthomes/housingmap/bhamareamap/Birmingham-Area-Map-Large.jpg
Think that map makes it more vague than the City Centre being split into interchanges.
Though same could probably be said for other Cities as well.
X2 Solihull Station via Solihull was one that was very strange I think.
Quote from: 2206 on December 03, 2020, 05:36:30 PM
This is map of Birmingham:
https://www.astonsu.com/pageassets/housing/astonstudenthomes/housingmap/bhamareamap/Birmingham-Area-Map-Large.jpg
Think the use of "Birmingham" makes it more vague than the City Centre being split into interchanges.
X2 Solihull Station via Solihull was one that was very strange I think.
You can see the notch where they went "we don't want Smith's Wood/Kingshurst to be a part of Birmingham" and cast it off to Solihull.
87 Dudley, via Dudley Road is slightly amusing.
Still not convinced that Woodcock Hill is actually an area, as opposed to the hill on Woodcock Lane. Similar to the 24 Quinton Road West that someone mentioned.
Quote from: Busboy105 on December 03, 2020, 03:12:18 PM
What is the most vague destination on NX buses?
The ones that I have thought of are:
14 and 97 (should have a qualifier. They go past the main interchange. It's much worse when the 14 gets the occasional short journey to Pine Square and it just says Chelmsley Wood.
24 (Quinton Road West is still in Woodgate Valley North why not just make Quinton Road West a qualifier)
16 (used to have the Green Lane qualifier in the past, don't know why it was removed same with the 97 and 97A when it went to Bluebell Drive).
101 (the weirdest one because to new people it looks like it terminates in the main part of Handsworth)
Feel free to add more of your own.
I'd argue that Quinton Road West is not a part of Woodgate Valley North. The Woodgate Valley North estate is the 1960s council development that covers Simmonds Drive, Highfield Lane, and the many cul-de-sacs off those two roads. Quinton Road West is separate from that and some of its housing dates back much earlier than the Woodgate Valley estates. It's a long and well known road in Quinton and a bus destination that is quite historic, dating back to the early days of the 10 route. I suspect a lot of people are more likely to recognise Quinton Road West than Woodgate Valley North in terms of where a bus is going.
Re: 101
short workings to Grove Lane are now displayed as a short working to Handsworth! (at least it was the last time I saw a 101E)
Not entirely helpful to have it use the same wording as the final destination..
https://flic.kr/p/2incG2y
Quote from: Michael Bevan on December 03, 2020, 05:00:42 PM
Didn't help that blind used to say "via Stanhope Way" at one point...Which is the road it terminates on... 😂😂😂
And only served in one direction...
Has nobody mentioned the 76 displaying 'Via Kings Heath'? Only serves the very top of it.
Quote from: Jack on December 03, 2020, 06:38:07 PM
And only served in one direction...
Has nobody mentioned the 76 displaying 'Via Kings Heath'? Only serves the very top of it.
The 76 serves what is considered the 'heart' of Kings Heath, namely that area surrounding All Saints Church. Also served by the 11A/C, 27, 34, 35 and 50. Doesn't seem very vague to me. Now when the 18 used to display 'via Kings Heath' yes that was a bit questionable!
Quote from: Jack on December 03, 2020, 06:38:07 PM
And only served in one direction...
Has nobody mentioned the 76 displaying 'Via Kings Heath'? Only serves the very top of it.
It says via QE Hospital now doesn't it?
Quote from: Stu on December 03, 2020, 07:28:08 PM
The 76 serves what is considered the 'heart' of Kings Heath, namely that area surrounding All Saints Church. Also served by the 11A/C, 27, 34, 35 and 50. Doesn't seem very vague to me. Now when the 18 used to display 'via Kings Heath' yes that was a bit questionable!
Oh yes, the 18... thanks for that! Couldn't remember at first.
Quote from: 2206 on December 03, 2020, 05:36:30 PM
This is map of Birmingham:
https://www.astonsu.com/pageassets/housing/astonstudenthomes/housingmap/bhamareamap/Birmingham-Area-Map-Large.jpg
Think that map makes it more vague than the City Centre being split into interchanges.
Though same could probably be said for other Cities as well.
X2 Solihull Station via Solihull was one that was very strange I think.
Considering that it was via Sheldon before, it makes no sense why it was changed.
Quote from: CL on December 03, 2020, 06:29:31 PM
Re: 101
short workings to Grove Lane are now displayed as a short working to Handsworth! (at least it was the last time I saw a 101E)
Not entirely helpful to have it use the same wording as the final destination..
https://flic.kr/p/2incG2y
For me, the 101 should have either Handsworth, The Leveretts or just the Leveretts.
Quote from: Busboy105 on December 03, 2020, 03:25:12 PM
I've got a better one.
Anything with Birmingham on it. Considering the City Centre is split into several interchanges, just having Birmingham is insanely stupid.
Technically yes, I'd go with that. Any bus route that starts within Birmingham (eg 17 from Tile Cross, 50 from Druids Heath, etc etc) that displays 'Birmingham' as its destination could be seen as a 'bit vague'. OK, all us 'locals' know it means Birmingham 'city centre' but it might appear confusing for those from outside the region.
Here's an interesting one, namely the 3 to 'Yardley Wood'. While it does go through part of Yardley Wood, it terminates on Priory Road (Slade Lane) which is actually under the B28 Hall Green postcode. If the destination was 'Hall Green' that could be considered 'vague' equally.
Quote from: Stu on December 03, 2020, 08:32:52 PM
Technically yes, I'd go with that. Any bus route that starts within Birmingham (eg 17 from Tile Cross, 50 from Druids Heath, etc etc) that displays 'Birmingham' as its destination could be seen as a 'bit vague'. OK, all us 'locals' know it means Birmingham 'city centre' but it might appear confusing for those from outside the region
What do they do in London, Manchester, Liverpool etc? Is is the same there perhaps or do they change it up.
Quote from: MasterPlan on December 03, 2020, 09:06:09 PM
What do they do in London, Manchester, Liverpool etc? Is is the same there perhaps or do they change it up.
TFL services don't have City Centre on their services. They just display the place in Central London that they stop at.
Quote from: Stu on December 03, 2020, 07:28:08 PM
The 76 serves what is considered the 'heart' of Kings Heath, namely that area surrounding All Saints Church. Also served by the 11A/C, 27, 34, 35 and 50. Doesn't seem very vague to me. Now when the 18 used to display 'via Kings Heath' yes that was a bit questionable!
I remember a couple of years back when the Birmingham blind on the 907 used to say "via Pheasey" on the bottom... 😂😂😂
Quote from: MasterPlan on December 03, 2020, 09:06:09 PM
What do they do in London, Manchester, Liverpool etc? Is is the same there perhaps or do they change it up.
No, they don't display Birmingham in any of those
Back when the 22 was around (before it became the X22), it's destination was "Kitwell" when it actually terminated at the Woodgate Wood Lane terminus with the old 23 and the X64.
Quote from: Tony on December 03, 2020, 10:00:40 PM
No, they don't display Birmingham in any of those
I think
@MasterPlan meant in Liverpool, Manchester and London do buses that terminate in their respective City centres have the cities names like Birmingham's ones do?
Quote from: Busboy105 on December 03, 2020, 10:11:51 PM
I think @MasterPlan meant in Liverpool, Manchester and London do buses that terminate in their respective City centres have the cities names like Birmingham's ones do?
Some places will display City Centre, rather name of the city instead. Which is what claribels do on the 94 and looks like what Norwich do see the via point in the pic linked to below - N&N Hospital via City Centre/Rail Station via City Centre.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/188567569@N06/50649942488/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/188567569@N06/50419585602/
Though never seen anyone confused by NX displaying "Birmingham".
Quote from: Busboy105 on December 03, 2020, 08:04:27 PM
For me, the 101 should have either Handsworth, The Leveretts or just the Leveretts.
It should be handsworth the leveretts not just the leveretts as that is more clearer, personally the short workings should say grove lane rather than just handsworth
Quote from: Stu on December 03, 2020, 08:32:52 PM
Technically yes, I'd go with that. Any bus route that starts within Birmingham (eg 17 from Tile Cross, 50 from Druids Heath, etc etc) that displays 'Birmingham' as its destination could be seen as a 'bit vague'. OK, all us 'locals' know it means Birmingham 'city centre' but it might appear confusing for those from outside the region.
I'd argue that just displaying 'Birmingham' isn't vague. For a first time/irregular user, it's kind of obvious that it's going to be going to the city centre. If other destinations e.g 'Moor Street' were used, it could be confusing to those who aren't familiar with Birmingham and don't know where Moor Street is.
Quote from: Pat on December 03, 2020, 10:47:07 PM
If other destinations e.g 'Moor Street' were used, it could be confusing to those who aren't familiar with Birmingham and don't know where Moor Street is.
Yes I agree with that, thats what I was expecting could happen in regards to showing areas of City Centre instead.
Someone reads "X20 Priory Queensway, etc". Doesn't know where Priory Queensway, is and doesn't get on as they don't know its going to central Birmingham.
The only thing that might be a little clearer is showing something like
"Birmingham City Centre" or maybe "City Centre" instead.
Quote from: Busboy105 on December 03, 2020, 10:11:51 PM
I think @MasterPlan meant in Liverpool, Manchester and London do buses that terminate in their respective City centres have the cities names like Birmingham's ones do?
Most local routes will display just the terminus such as Dale Street, The Strand, Queen Square, or Liverpool One or in the case of this City Centre, Liverpool One
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cliveabrown/50617322436/
Most routes from out of town will have Liverpool followed underneath by actual terminus such as this https://www.flickr.com/photos/85000178@N05/46911311712/
Some do just display Liverpool, or just City Centre
Probably doesn't qualify, but the 3 to Yardley Wood, Slade Lane has always been a curious one for me, as it doesn't actually serve Slade Lane
Quote from: Crosville on December 04, 2020, 12:53:33 AM
Most local routes will display just the terminus such as Dale Street, The Strand, Queen Square, or Liverpool One or in the case of this City Centre, Liverpool One
https://www.flickr.com/photos/cliveabrown/50617322436/
Most routes from out of town will have Liverpool followed underneath by actual terminus such as this https://www.flickr.com/photos/85000178@N05/46911311712/
Some do just display Liverpool, or just City Centre
Perhaps, Birmingham with Old Square, Colmore Row etc underneath alternating with the via point(s) could work in a similar vain to those examples.
Quote from: Sh4318 on December 04, 2020, 10:24:25 AM
Probably doesn't qualify, but the 3 to Yardley Wood, Slade Lane has always been a curious one for me, as it doesn't actually serve Slade Lane
Its the stop name.
Quote from: MasterPlan on December 04, 2020, 01:22:23 PM
Perhaps, Birmingham with Old Square, Colmore Row etc underneath alternating with the via point(s) could work in a similar vain to those examples.
Stagecoach North Scotland do this. They have the 'main' destination at the top and then the exact location scrolling along the bottom with the via points. E.g:
82 - Meethill
Berryden Road via Community Hospital - Dales Park
Quote from: Stu on December 03, 2020, 08:32:52 PM
Here's an interesting one, namely the 3 to 'Yardley Wood'. While it does go through part of Yardley Wood, it terminates on Priory Road (Slade Lane) which is actually under the B28 Hall Green postcode. If the destination was 'Hall Green' that could be considered 'vague' equally.
Yes, that's struck me too. Priory Road is indeed in Hall Green (as is Slade Lane), but showing 'Hall Green' on the display would probably confuse rather than help. Showing just 'Priory Road' would also confuse as there are a number of roads with that name. The 3 does serve Yardley Wood, and only leaves it when it rejoins Priory Road for the final two stops.
I guess it goes to show that a geographically accurate location is not necessarily always the best to display ...
Quote from: MasterPlan on December 03, 2020, 05:45:08 PM
87 Dudley, via Dudley Road is slightly amusing.
Still not convinced that Woodcock Hill is actually an area, as opposed to the hill on Woodcock Lane. Similar to the 24 Quinton Road West that someone mentioned.
Agree with this re Woodcock Hill. This name only appeared with the introduction of the X21. Wasnt this area always classed as Bangham Pit before?
Quote from: 2206 on December 03, 2020, 10:15:55 PM
Some places will display City Centre, rather name of the city instead. Which is what claribels do on the 94 and looks like what Norwich do see the via point in the pic linked to below - N&N Hospital via City Centre/Rail Station via City Centre.
https://www.flickr.com/photos/188567569@N06/50649942488/
https://www.flickr.com/photos/188567569@N06/50419585602/
Though never seen anyone confused by NX displaying "Birmingham".
The 2 pictures of buses in Norwich are on City routes that do not venture outside the Norwich built-up area, so it is sensible to display via City Centre rather than via Norwich, also there is only railway station in Norwich. N&N Hospital is the Norfolk & Norwich Hospital.
Most places where there is only one "centre" will display town centre or city centre rather than the actual location where the route goes. It is only the larger places where there needs to be more detail shown.
In London via points have been outlawed on destination screens as it was considered to be confusing to show a via point after the bus has passed that place, so only the final destination is shown (TfL has only just begun to allow electronic blinds). On the H9, H10, H18 & H19 circular routes in Harrow, North West London, the buses leave Harrow Bus Station with the blind showing Harrow with no indication of the route being taken. If you are part way around the circle if you get on the bus going the long way round by mistake, you may have a journey of 45 minutes instead of a 15 minute one.
Also in London blinds weren't allowed to have "Croydon Town Hall", they were only allowed to show "Croydon" so you had to know whereabouts the service went as the blind did not give any clue.
Quote from: sonic84 on December 04, 2020, 07:42:03 PM
Agree with this re Woodcock Hill. This name only appeared with the introduction of the X21. Wasnt this area always classed as Bangham Pit before?
Yeah, pretty much. If you Google Woodcock Hill you do get results but to most people in the area they'd tell you it's Bangham Pit. Which covers the area in-between Weoley Castle & Bartley Green.
Quote from: sonic84 on December 04, 2020, 07:42:03 PM
Agree with this re Woodcock Hill. This name only appeared with the introduction of the X21. Wasnt this area always classed as Bangham Pit before?
It was. In the past the 18 showed via Bangham Pit on it's dot matrix before they changed the format.