Classic Bus North West

[ratty]

As this is a private operator in the Blackpool area, perhaps it is a little wrong to have it in the Blackpool Transport pages. Being in the position to report recent developments, I will try and keep you up to date, with things.

[sconehead85]

As long as CBNW does "niche" routes, like the 22, and dont attempt silly competition with BT they should prosper.

Classic Bus North West is a bit of a mouthful and my TOWER BUSES name would be easier to remember. If I was cheeky I would register the domain name towerbuses.co.uk and sell it to them! The Routemasters could be Classic Tower Buses.

I think they should take over the City Sightseeing route from Blackpool Transport, so they can pull out of the open top business.

Having ridden on Stagecoach's Volvo B10Ms in Liverpool between 2005-2010 they are the most CRAMPED buses Ive ever ridden on.

I think they should sell the rear engined open tops and convert the Routemasters- or two of them to PARTIAL open toppers.

sconehead85

[kendall17]

What do the passengers know them as?

More than likely cut it all down to Classic.

No need for them to change their name.

[sconehead85]

TOWER BUSES is a good name with local identity and less of a mouthful. None of the fleet appear to have a name. There are too many "Classics" in this country and they are not going to expand to the entire North West of England. A new name and some more LF buses and they will be set up.

Its not as long as Stagecoach South Lancs, Merseyside, Chester and Wrexham!

sconehead85

[Deleted]

When I was very young, the main name on the side of the bus was usually a shortened form of the name of the company.
e.g. WEST YORKSHIRE = W.Y.R.C.C.
though one did puzzle me
YORKSHIRE = Y.W.D.
was this because Yorkshire (Woolen District) was a bit long to put on the side of the bus?

[sconehead85]

Before 1970 there was Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Traction (later Transport) Board. This was shortened to SHMD or "the green buses". Its gotta be TOWER.

sconehead85

[driver6540]

Isn't there a TOWER Coaches firm in Liversedge or Heckmondwike area?. Just thought id ask.

[ratty]

Mac, yes there was, believe they still exist, although happy to be proved wrong. kendall, the locals know them as the red buses. On the issue of open tops, be patient, when plans have been developed for sea front 12, there will be an answer!!!! Just picked up a dart from repaint today, with more to come.

[sconehead85]

I think it would be for the best if CS quit Blackpool, leaving Blackpool Transport to go all closed top. That way CBNW route 12 would gain more passengers alongside BTs Line 1.

Ive never heard of Heckmondwike Tower BTW!

sconehead85

[Bradford Traveller]

Tower Coaches.,
CLECKHEATON BD19
and
there's one in
WIGTON CA7

[driver6540]

Dec 20, 2012 6:24:02 GMT 1 sconehead85 said:

I think it would be for the best if CS quit Blackpool, leaving Blackpool Transport to go all closed top. That way CBNW route 12 would gain more passengers alongside BTs Line 1.

Ive never heard of Heckmondwike Tower BTW!

sconehead85

Good heaven's, You ought to get out more, Sconey. The only famous thing in Heckmondwike is the clock-tower. Oh that and the lovely fish & chip shop at the side of it. BTW Why would it be for the best if CBNW quit Blackpool?. I dont understand your reasoning on that one.

[ratty]

He don't mean that Mac, he means City Sightseeing, or thats the way it reads.

[westyorkshirebus]

Presumably so they don't need to have the 'worry' of still operating step entrance buses!

[sconehead85]

I meant City Sightseeing, as CBNW's route 12 fulfils the same purpose. Im relaxed about the 12 as Blackpool Transport has the 1 and the new trams for disabled/infirm passengers.

I don't think thered be much confusion between a TOWER BUSES in Blackpool and the other two places they're unlikely to overlap! I think TGM Classic do a summer coach service to Blackpool though.

sconehead85

[driver6540]

Cheers ratty and sconey, for clearing that up. There's a lot of merit in the name Tower Buses, given the obvious location of the operator. But maybe im nitpicking here, Blackpool Transport have the tower in their fleet logo as the letter "A". Could this cause problems, ie copyright infringements etc, if the hypothetical Tower Buses had the said tower in their logo?. Or am i going off in an ill informed tangent (as im prone to do)?.

[ratty]

Its pretty much of no relevancel anyway, cos we are not changing names, I asked, and that was the bosses answer. By the way another Dart enters service in January ex Metroline, with another due as well. Merry Christmas and a Happy new year to everyone, should any of you be in the area on a Saturday especially, feel free to call in and intro yourselves, boss says if I have the time I can show you round. Saturday tends to be the one day I can guarentee being in the depot, but probably best to e-mail me first.

[busman3]

Dec 19, 2012 23:47:06 GMT 1 sconehead85 said:

Before 1970 there was Stalybridge, Hyde, Mossley and Dukinfield Traction (later Transport) Board. This was shortened to SHMD or "the green buses". Its gotta be TOWER.

sconehead85

Err it started ans
stalybridge , hyde mossley and dukinfield joint transport and electricity borad , if i remember rightly - try getting that on a mini bus !

[ratty]

Would it have been the longest fleet name in the country at that point then? Interesting point though, cos if you think about it, a contemporary tramcar body would be about the length of a minibus!!! Didn't they just apply S.H.M.D on the rocker panels?

[busman3]

Dec 25, 2012 14:38:04 GMT 1 ratty said:

Didn't they just apply S.H.M.D on the rocker panels?

Theres always one who spoils it isnt there ;D Yes it did say SHMD

[ratty]

Soz busman, only reason I knew about that was that the tram emblem on the Tramway Museum Society ties was of one such tramcar, and somebody showed me a photo of said tram, which had S.H.M.D on the sides

[LukePA]

Service 22 sees a minor route change in the North end of Blackpool and a frequency increase to every 20 minutes Monday to Friday from January.

[ratty]

Yes GC you are correct. From the 2nd Jan there is a route alteration through the Claremont estate, then on to Warley Road all the way down to the bottom of Warley Road,by the DWP. The bottom bit of Warley Road was last served by BT minibus service 33 in 2000. Then on the 14th January, the service will be going every 20 minutes, finishing 20 minutes earlier than as current.

[LukePA]

Excellend news for CBNW shouldnt be too long now until the Saturday frequency is enhanced. Any news on the seafront 12 for nex season?

[ratty]

When the boss finally decides what he is doing, I will let you know. He is keeping his cards very close to his chest, but there ARE plans for the 12. As for the 22, the changes to the 22 in January will possibly be the final ones for a good while.

[ratty]

1930 tonight, all the toys have been put away until next year!!!!!!! The last CBNW journey of the year was performed by Bispham High School liveried Dart 163 preceeded in by Dart 533,Olympian 324, and Olympian 269. Now going to have a wee dram or two, so see you all next year. Happy New Year, hope it's a good 'un.