What happened to route 000 for not in service?

[py_megapixel]

A few years ago, buses which weren't in service usually carried route number 0 or 000 along with the message "Not in service" (or words to that effect).

Nowadays the destination blinds usually are just blank or carry just the worded message. The route number 000 seems to be no more.

Do any operators still follow this convention, and why did most drop it?

Edit: I've just heard this was a Stagecoach policy, and now I think of it, everywhere I've seen it has been largely Stagecoach dominated... - my bad, should have checked first

 

[CN04NRJ]

A few years ago, buses which weren't in service usually carried route number 0 or 000 along with the message "Not in service" (or words to that effect).

Nowadays the destination blinds usually are just blank or carry just the worded message. The route number 000 seems to be no more.

Do any operators still follow this convention, and why did most drop it?

It was never actually a route number, with most destination units 0 is the default display on the controller when activated or the quickest to access.

Depends entirely on the operator, where I used to work they were 'Z' codes (on Vultron and Hanover) - E.G Z1 was not in service Z3 Returning to Depot , Z21 Driver Training etc etc. On some demonstrator buses it would actually display Z1 or whatever on the rear.

Where I work now it's 0 for not in service and some special blinds on the digital screens and the mechanical roller blinds the number, main and via screens each have to be set individually to blank.

 

[lxfe_mxtterz]

A few years ago, buses which weren't in service usually carried route number 0 or 000 along with the message "Not in service" (or words to that effect).

Nowadays the destination blinds usually are just blank or carry just the worded message. The route number 000 seems to be no more.

Do any operators still follow this convention, and why did most drop it?

Incidentally, I witnessed an out of service First bus showing the route number as "0" earlier today in Portsmouth. Don't see it often elsewhere though!

 

[Mag_seven]

A few years ago, buses which weren't in service usually carried route number 0 or 000 along with the message "Not in service" (or words to that effect).

Did they? I can't say I ever noticed!

 

[M60lad]

As for Stagecoach Manchester I asked this question to a friend of mine once and he told me the reason why they dont show 000 Sorry Not in Service anymore is due to the fact intending passengers were seeing the route number and were still trying to flag the bus down so decided to revert to just having Sorry Not in Service on the front when 000 is selected.

 

[Bletchleyite]

I wouldn't say it was usual, though some operators certainly did it.

 

[Andyh82]

A few years ago, buses which weren't in service usually carried route number 0 or 000 along with the message "Not in service" (or words to that effect).

Nowadays the destination blinds usually are just blank or carry just the worded message. The route number 000 seems to be no more.

Do any operators still follow this convention, and why did most drop it?

I don't know where in the country you are and what operator you are thinking of, but it was certainly not as widespread as you think

 

[RT4038]

I don't know where in the country you are and what operator you are thinking of, but it was certainly not as widespread as you think

It was at one time a Stagecoach bus group policy, which took into account that some/many vehicles had separate number and destination screens, both electronic and linen (to avoid the display e.g. 146 - Sorry, not in service, and confusing passengers waiting for a 146) . This is no longer the case as all vehicles now have one piece displays, the 000 instruction is no longer required.

Possibly some other companies had this policy too, but by no means all.

 

[MotCO]

London still has separate number and destination blinds. I think the practice may have stopped when electronic blinds became more widespread.

 

[CN04NRJ]

It was at one time a Stagecoach bus group policy, which took into account that some/many vehicles had separate number and destination screens, both electronic and linen (to avoid the display e.g. 146 - Sorry, not in service, and confusing passengers waiting for a 146) . This is no longer the case as all vehicles now have one piece displays, the 000 instruction is no longer required.

Possibly some other companies had this policy too, but by no means all.

When Richard Davies, a former director at Stagecoach South Wales took up his (now former) post as commercial and operations director at Cardiff Bus the rear destinations for the Not in Service destinations displayed 000 on the Hanover units. Coincidence?

It was returned to an image of a bus shortly after his departure.

 

[Glasgowbusguy]

Some first glasgow buses display 0 on the rear screen when not in service

 

[Statto]

Think Stagecoach still display 000 on some buses, but not it's mandatary

00 was actually a genuine bus number at one time, Birkenhead Corporation then Merseyside PTE was one southbound journey a day, departing 05.30, from Birkenhead Woodside to Stork Works in Bromborough, withdrawn in the mid 1970s.

 

[GusB]

"Sorry, not in service" is something I've only really noticed since the advent of electronic displays. In the past where a bus arrived at the bus station and then had to run to the depot, it usually just had "Elgin" on the destination blind, and the numbers remained as they were on the last route it had operated.
Having seen quite a few older photographs, one thing that I noticed was that single digit service numbers often used 00 in front of them, eg 005, 007.

 

[py_megapixel]

I don't know where in the country you are and what operator you are thinking of, but it was certainly not as widespread as you think

I'm talking about several places in the country. Specifically Gloucestershire, Manchester, the Lake District, and some bits of Scotland.

However, now I think of it, they are all Stagecoach-dominated. So I assume the local independents which did it were just copying Stagecoach.

 

[Contains Nuts]

Given that dead running is a necessary part of all bus operations, I’ve never been quite sure why operators are ‘sorry’ about it.

 

[MotCO]

I noticed was that single digit service numbers often used 00 in front of them, eg 005, 007.

Was there a blank, in not, then '0' would be the only appropriate blind to show. Alternatively, maybe '0' is located nearer to the value of the route number if there is only a 'blank' after '9' and not also before '1'?

 

[GusB]

Was there a blank, in not, then '0' would be the only appropriate blind to show. Alternatively, maybe '0' is located nearer to the value of the route number if there is only a 'blank' after '9' and not also before '1'?

It was a long time ago, but I'm sure they definitely had blanks.

 

[Trainfan2019]

Some years ago I definitely saw a single zero displayed on First Sheffield not in service buses - side and rear flipdot displays. Can't remember Stagecoach using triple zeros though.

In the olden days of Syt in Sheffield I've seen buses displaying 0X0 or sometimes even XXX for buses returning to depot. This was on the linen blind numbers section. Can't remember what the actual destination blind said, probably depot or just blank. However, buses parked up at my local depot sometimes had the route number and destination left displayed from the last time it was in service. Can't remember when sorry not in service was added to the blinds.

 

[whoosh]

Given that dead running is a necessary part of all bus operations, I’ve never been quite sure why operators are ‘sorry’ about it.

I'm in total agreement. If anything, it makes bus companies look bad. "Ooh sorry... were you hoping for a bus to take you home? I can't help you, sorrryyyy... I'm doing 'other whimsical stuff' instead, sorrryyyy....."

Or, how about? "Not in service" or "Depot". Purposeful. Fulfilling a preplanned purpose. "I was never your bus, and I've nothing to apologise for."

 

[carlberry]

"Sorry, not in service" is something I've only really noticed since the advent of electronic displays. In the past where a bus arrived at the bus station and then had to run to the depot, it usually just had "Elgin" on the destination blind, and the numbers remained as they were on the last route it had operated.
Having seen quite a few older photographs, one thing that I noticed was that single digit service numbers often used 00 in front of them, eg 005, 007.

'Sorry, not in service' was used a lot during the minibus and deregulation era when bus companies started to want to appear more friendly. I believe that some companies in the last few years have stopped doing it, or changed the term, as the feedback they got was that it was a bit patronising, especially as (in most cases) the drivers isn't sorry! The worst example is the 'NIS' abbreviation which means nothing to most people.

I must admit I've very rarely seen examples of 0 or 000 being displayed (and I've got several local Stagecoach companies), it's usually blank. Back in the days of roller blinds 007 was fairly common however other examples are rare (in my experience) as the blank on the roller is usually above the 0 anyway. Most drivers would want the display to be as blank as possible to reduce the number of people who try to stop the bus on the way back to the depot.

 

[cnjb8]

In my local area, CT4N display 'Not in Service' and their website below. TrentBarton used to do this too, but now they put 'sorry' tiny in the top left corner and 'not in service' in massive writing across the screen.

 

[CBlue]

A few years ago, buses which weren't in service usually carried route number 0 or 000 along with the message "Not in service" (or words to that effect).

Nowadays the destination blinds usually are just blank or carry just the worded message. The route number 000 seems to be no more.

Do any operators still follow this convention, and why did most drop it?

Edit: I've just heard this was a Stagecoach policy, and now I think of it, everywhere I've seen it has been largely Stagecoach dominated... - my bad, should have checked first

Destination displays with Stagecoach often seem to be handled by the local depots. Before they were merged together as part of East division, Cambridge based buses simply displayed "Not in Service" whereas Bedford went for "000 Sorry Not In service" with half the destination in negative colours!

 

[Statto]

'Sorry, not in service' was used a lot during the minibus and deregulation era when bus companies started to want to appear more friendly. I believe that some companies in the last few years have stopped doing it, or changed the term, as the feedback they got was that it was a bit patronising, especially as (in most cases) the drivers isn't sorry! The worst example is the 'NIS' abbreviation which means nothing to most people.

I must admit I've very rarely seen examples of 0 or 000 being displayed (and I've got several local Stagecoach companies), it's usually blank. Back in the days of roller blinds 007 was fairly common however other examples are rare (in my experience) as the blank on the roller is usually above the 0 anyway. Most drivers would want the display to be as blank as possible to reduce the number of people who try to stop the bus on the way back to the depot.

Until the early 90s buses in my area would often display either, private, private hire, Merseyside, blank destination & blank number, the previous day's[or that day's journey] journey but well off route, when not in service.

The term, sorry, not in service seems to have started from the early 90s, i've not noticed if the sorry part has been dropped, a couple of short journeys terminate near my home after, so might take a look.

 

[Trainfan2019]

Just remembered that I think last year or year before, First Sheffield started displaying 'bus returning to depot' on the electronic destination displays.

 

[overthewater]

Is this just an English thing?

 

[duncombec]

When still independent, Epsom Buses took it to extremes (although clearly tongue in cheek), with a display that read "We Are Awfully Sorry, But This Bus Is Temporarily OUT OF SERVICE".

I'm sure there are better pictures around, but this picture from Flickr (not mine), shows said wording in comparison with the rather less amusing, but rather more legible, standard display: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leesbuses/7101676747/

 

[CN04NRJ]

Just remembered that I think last year or year before, First Sheffield started displaying 'bus returning to depot' on the electronic destination displays.

It's a thing in Cardiff too, there's not in service, not in service returning to depot and not in service set down only (on routes where you are dropping off only past the technical terminus and go out of service once the last passenger is off).

 

[Statto]

When still independent, Epsom Buses took it to extremes (although clearly tongue in cheek), with a display that read "We Are Awfully Sorry, But This Bus Is Temporarily OUT OF SERVICE".

I'm sure there are better pictures around, but this picture from Flickr (not mine), shows said wording in comparison with the rather less amusing, but rather more legible, standard display: https://www.flickr.com/photos/leesbuses/7101676747/

Blooming heck, i know it's done in tongue & cheek, but i can barely read that blind compared to the bus with simple not in service blind next to it, that'd fall foul of TFL blind regs nowadays

 

[ashkeba]

Given that dead running is a necessary part of all bus operations, I’ve never been quite sure why operators are ‘sorry’ about it.

Because they should be sorry to the poor people whose destination is near a depot with few services. They not only have to walk but also see lots of empty buses drive past!

 

[65477]

Because they should be sorry to the poor people whose destination is near a depot with few services. They not only have to walk but also see lots of empty buses drive past

Had not thought of that but it certainly applies to me. I live about 1/2 mile from the bus route/stop but every bus to and from the depot passes our house.