MidlandRed.net

Just in case we are all plunged back into lockdown I ventured out on my local 37 bus into Worcester today Monday 12 October and struck lucky with photograph of 33404 working the X50 from Crowngate bus station to Evesham. A bit slow for an express service with that four speed direct top gearbox in place of the five speed overdrive unit which failed some time back. Also took these double deckers working in Crowngate as Mr DD12 might be interested! Single deckers photographed are shown below; Local independent operators provided some variety including Johnson's Scania looking like pantechnicon van with surprising total overall vinyl advertisement ;

Thanks Tim

I couldn't get an appointment for a haircut this afternoon, so, as I knew the 15.00 dep of the 30 has been discontinued from today ( - on schooldays), I checked the tracker for possible changes to DD usage -- -- there were none that I could see, but as there were 3 unavailable, there MIGHT have been a change intended.

I'm very glad that one is still being used on the X50, and normally I would have taken a ride, and included a pub, but the pandemic has spoilt that !

( - I still haven't been able to sample the lunchtime Astons 332 to the Three Kings at Hanley Castle, - from my local bus stop !)

The X50 now serves all stops along the route in Worcester, as well as the new parkway station, so once passenger levels return to normal ( - sorry, I meant IF !! ) time-keeping could be a real problem !!

I hope Johnsons are getting good money for that abomination of a livery!

MattW wrote: ↑

19:45 Monday 12th October 2020

I hope Johnsons are getting good money for that abomination of a livery!

I totally agree !!

- I never thought that the worst bus in Worcester would be one of Johnsons !!

MattW wrote: ↑

19:45 Monday 12th October 2020

I hope Johnsons are getting good money for that abomination of a livery!

I was walking along the 'high-level' path from Angel Place to Crowngate Shopping Centre to get out of the rain and this vehicle passed below. I muttered "what the **** is that?" and in that split second thought it was a training bus drafted in from somewhere else in the First empire. Most surprised that it was a bus on service when I noticed 150A visible in the rear number box and thought it must be a strange bus to travel in as the vinyl looks to be opaque. However, from the marketing man's point of view it certainly has impact, you can't miss that bus, the message is writ large and the 150 service covers a large area between Birmingham, Redditch and Worcester. As for e-cigarettes and vaping, the jury is out on a number of respiratory health issues so perhaps such advertising should be banned in common with conventional tobacco cigarettes?

Very surprised by Johnson's who usually seem to take a real pride in the appearance of their vehicles. This is truly a monstrosity, particularly in comparison with the smartness of their normal bus and coach liveries and I can only think it must be financially highly advantageous and a sign of the financial state of the industry.