Where was I?
by Oliver Foreman
Added to website 8 August 2011. Answers added 15 August 2011.
I have recently been on holiday. I took bus photographs in three locations, though unfortunately I only had my mobile phone
available.
Can you locate the three different places? It is just a bit of fun. Answers are now revealed below each section.
Oliver Foreman
LOCATION ONE
These photographs were taken on Friday 29 July 2011. Sorry about the finger mark on the right hand side of the lens!
I was very surprised to see so many Stagecoach buses in this place. I noted one Optare Solo but apart from that all the buses I saw had entrance steps.
I did not see vehicles of any other operator, though a Dial a Ride service for the disabled is advertised. This is run by the British Red Cross
under the MyBus logo.
The five of us bought Day Riders and travelled by bus to enjoy this beautiful area. Despite its rural nature, the drivers have to keep their feet on the throttle
in an attempt to keep to time on the bumpy, narrow roads. Indeed, one lady gave the driver (who had driven as fast as safety allowed) a mouthful
when she missed her connection in a remote village.
The name of this area is revealed below the pictures.
HOVER HERE TO REVEAL LOCATION
ANSWER . . .
All these photographs were taken on the Isle of Arran, a most beautiful place to visit.
On arriving on the Caledonian MacBrayne ferry from Ardrossan, the Stagecoach depot (right) stands out on the quayside at Brodick. The buses
are timed at the bus station to fit in with the ferries. A Day Rider costs £4.90 and includes travel on the open topper to Brodick Castle
as well as the buses right round the island (323 south; 324 north) and the 322 across the centre. Beware of making a connection at
Blackwaterfoot, however!
Summer 2011 timetable (in PDF format) may be viewed
HERE,
though it does not mention the open top service nor tours of the island in a coach in the old Western Scottish livery (on the day
we were there).
Nearly every bus displayed school bus signs front and rear, even though it was school holidays. Does this not make a mockery of the
system?
LOCATION TWO
These photographs were taken on Saturday 30 July 2011.
Although the town is only of medium size, the bus station was incredibly busy with many buses leaving with full loads.
Once again, Stagecoach seems to have a virtual monopoly. I saw very few buses or coaches of any other operator.
The name of this town is revealed below the pictures.
HOVER HERE TO REVEAL LOCATION
ANSWER . . .
All these photographs were taken in Ayr, a seaside resort on the west coast of
Scotland. It is a pleasant place with good sands (when the tide is not in) but for those of you used to Blackpool or Skegness I feel
you may be rather disappointed. We could not find MacDonald's (perhaps no bad thing)!! Mind you, Burger King was open to 8pm . . . wow!
However, enthusiasts will be amazed at how busy the bus station is. On the July Saturday afternoon I was there, the X77
departures to Glasgow in double deck Neoplans (which I am told are cast offs from Oxford) were leaving with full loads, as were several
other services using more humble vehicles. At the weekend,
the X77s run to the early hours of the morning.
LOCATION THREE
These photographs were taken on Monday 1 August 2011.
Having left the younger members of the party at a theme park, I travelled to this bus station on an express First double decker,
providing me with a fast return journey (though expensive - my senior citizen pass is not valid outside England!). I was
surprised that my £6.50 fare (I think it was a Day Rider) had to be the exact money and placed, note included, into a fare box.
This was the largest and busiest bus station I have ever seen, with a multitude of non-driving staff on duty. They made
it quite clear that photographs were forbidden on the bus station so, having been warned twice, I stood with my camera on the public
road by the entrance/exit.
This time Stagecoach vehicles are in a minority amongst many operators running a variety of buses and coaches.
The name of this bus station is revealed below the pictures.
HOVER HERE TO REVEAL LOCATION
ANSWER . . .
All these photographs were taken in or very close to Buchanan Bus Station, Glasgow.
The incredible number of auxiliary staff marshalling buses would appear to be paid for by Strathclyde Partnership for Transport.
It seems the cuts afflicting council services south of the border are yet to make an impact in Scotland.