It's more likely the routes were specified as such by the college.
No, it's because they need repainting and First Bus corporate is the current livery.
I expect that for the Bicton routes in particular, Stagecoach may have put forward a proposal to accept College passes on their public services to connect with the college contract vehicles. First allow (or in any case did at one point) Cornwall College students to travel for a flat fare of £1 on their public services. Prehaps somone more knowledgeable could confirm if this is still the case.
Theres so many different rules come and go, but the last i knew cornwall college gets a child fare upon presentation of a college pass. Rarely used tbh. At the current rate of child fares ,that generally only saves them 20% or so. Thats if the child fare is even set right, lots are blatantly wrong and i think most drivers have given up reporting incorrect fares as the company do not seem concerned.
Some years ago, the Truro College bus pass gave you free travel on other First services. It was of no use to me as I was in Western Greyhound territory except for that college special. I think I just bought my bus pass from the council instead as it was easier/cheaper to get (no queues) but which also didn't give me that "benefit"
There were some there last month in the new purple style. Prehaps a short print run as a token gesture.
I get the feeling that there’s been a touch of backtracking going on here, as one minute the open tops have fallen out of favour and considered a distraction, the next some are back and branded as “Explorer”. It does however (despite being the reverse of Bath Blue), look rather smart!
Interesting that the 'Explore' name wasn't used on the rebranded Norwich service if it's to be a unified national brand, unless it just means the blue livery with green ribbon element? Also curious that the Portland service is made out to be 'new' despite having actually run for many years and no mention of the other Dorset services, or does the text continue below the picture?
While I do find it slightly plain for tourist services compared to some previous liveries, although the circular images do add some colour, I am a fan of the 'Electric' livery being adopted as a national scheme as I think that looks really smart. So if the open-toppers need to go into a corporate style as well, then like you say it has at least been done smartly. I did in particular rate the eye catching blue and cream livery previously used on the Cymru/Tenby/Portland Coasters though.
www.flickr.com
Wasn’t most of that people here joining the dots and getting 5?
The message is above and below the pic. Norwich is mentioned above it stating it started in may ,then below suggesting more routes were to follow. No others are specifically mentioned and this was part of national company news as opposed to the also existing south/ cornwall newsfeed.Interesting that the 'Explore' name wasn't used on the rebranded Norwich service if it's to be a unified national brand, unless it just means the blue livery with green ribbon element? Also curious that the Portland service is made out to be 'new' despite having actually run for many years and no mention of the other Dorset services, or does the text continue below the picture?
Vehicles used on Great Yarmouth's Coastal Clipper Cabriolet, the Tenby Coaster and Weston-super-Mare route 1 are, I believe, already in blue liveries so I guess might not be a priority to rebrand into 'Explore' for the time being?
While I do find it slightly plain for tourist services compared to some previous liveries, although the circular images do add some colour, I am a fan of the 'Electric' livery being adopted as a national scheme as I think that looks really smart. So if the open-toppers need to go into a corporate style as well, then like you say it has at least been done smartly. I did in particular rate the eye catching blue and cream livery previously used on the Cymru/Tenby/Portland Coasters though.
First South Wales 32002 W802 PAE working a 'Cymru Coaster' 1 service at Oystermouth, The Mumbles bound for Swansea City Centre.
Ex First Bristol as part open top 32002 RKZ 4760 for O/T services from Weston-Super-Mare. New to First Bristol as closed top 9802.
(Link to a Flickr page showing a vehicle wearing the cream and blue livery referenced)
