Most Vague Destination (inspired by the Bus Forum)

[Sh4318]

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

[MasterPlan]

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.

[Stu]

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.

[Pat]

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

[Justin Tyme]

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 ...

[sonic84]

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?

[Ian Hardy]

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.

[MasterPlan]

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.

[bususer28]

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.