Where I come from (Manchester), any bus that started with the prefix X meant that the service was an express service, only making limited stops between destinations.

My OH has suggested that when he has got on the X78 in recent history, it stops everywhere and anywhere, indicating this is anything but an express service.

A couple of questions then:

- Why does it have an X prefix? Does it mean something else to Express? And if its not an Express service, why was it not assigned a normal number, of which I am sure there are spare ones remaining.
- Are the other X services existing in Sheffield of the same nature? I.e, non-express, non limited-stop services?

Bit of a boring, geeky question but there you go.

I think they just wanted to make it stand out from the normal bus numbers given its long and the fact that it goes through 4 major places of interest in the area (doncaster,rotherham, meadowhall and sheffield of course)

It used to mean eXpress. I remember the X30 being like this. But was replaced (I think) by the 552.

X was originally to denote an express and/or limited stop service. The X78 these days is reasonably express but fails to be limited stop. Only other X route I can think of that is current is the X52 replacement for the 552. However back in the days of SYT there were plenty of X routes all over Sheffield. I think I started a thread on this somewhere on the forum.

Where I come from (Manchester), any bus that started with the prefix X meant that the service was an express service, only making limited stops between destinations.

My OH has suggested that when he has got on the X78 in recent history, it stops everywhere and anywhere, indicating this is anything but an express service.

A couple of questions then:

- Why does it have an X prefix? Does it mean something else to Express? And if its not an Express service, why was it not assigned a normal number, of which I am sure there are spare ones remaining.
- Are the other X services existing in Sheffield of the same nature? I.e, non-express, non limited-stop services?

Bit of a boring, geeky question but there you go.

Its a bone of contention this one normally an X prefix on the route number means limited stop service in most parts of the country except Sheffield. but it stops at nearly every lamp post folk even get on in the Haymarket and go just to the bus station its taking the mick really.

If I remember rightly before the route was called X78 the Sheffield-Rotherham-Doncaster services had the numbers 277 and 278 (with different routes through Conisbrough) but at some point they were merged in a reorganisation. However, perhaps the reason why it is called X78 even though it isn't an express service is because in both Sheffield and Doncaster there are other routes numbered 78.

Expensive I believe.

Expensive I believe.

So are Ferraris and Faberge eggs, dont really understand your point.

If I remember rightly before the route was called X78 the Sheffield-Rotherham-Doncaster services had the numbers 277 and 278 (with different routes through Conisbrough) but at some point they were merged in a reorganisation. However, perhaps the reason why it is called X78 even though it isn't an express service is because in both Sheffield and Doncaster there are other routes numbered 78.

Does not explain why they could not call it something else though.

The X33 to Barnsley was a splendid service!

X Rated.
.

Does not explain why they could not call it something else though.

I suspect it is because when they changed the route numbers they wanted the new number to be similar to the old one.

Expensive I believe.

X Rated.
.

Oh I get it now.

eXpress yourself

If I remember rightly before the route was called X78 the Sheffield-Rotherham-Doncaster services had the numbers 277 and 278 (with different routes through Conisbrough) but at some point they were merged in a reorganisation. However, perhaps the reason why it is called X78 even though it isn't an express service is because in both Sheffield and Doncaster there are other routes numbered 78.:shocked: how old are you?

it was the X78 when I was catching it in the late 80's, before the buses were all sold off

anyway - given the lack of limited stops, I'd assumed it was just the long distance routes, usually between towns

:shocked: how old are you?

it was the X78 when I was catching it in the late 80's, before the buses were all sold off

I think the 277 and 278 ran in the early 1980's. The 277 used to go straight through Conisbrough along the main road but the 278 used to go past the castle and through the estate on the Rotherham side of Conisbrough.

ahhh, that's when the X78 I was catching terminated in Glasgow city centre ;)

ahhh, that's when the X78 I was catching terminated in Glasgow city centre ;)

Why didn't you tell the driver they had taken a wrong turn before you got to Glasgow?

So are Ferraris and Faberge eggs, dont really understand your point.That just like Ferraris and Faberge eggs, the X78 is expensive. Point was rather easy to comprehend.

The above post is correct regarding the x77 and X78 the were changed from the 277/8 IN pte days when they got the coach seated deckers , yes supose they should put it back to the 278 however personally i would like to see a x77 back via coannaby

The 277/8 ended in around 1980 ish if you are really old you will know the dony service as teh 77/8

There however some express services that dont have the X ie the 727 to chesterfield

If you travelling end to end or even short journeys its quikcer on the train and if you are using a travel master then the cost is not an issue

I remember when I were a lad and me and one of my mates were at the bus station and we saw this bendy bus that had seats with headrests and the words "Fastline" down the side of it. So we thought it must go somewhere really nice. We asked the driver how much it cost to go to the other end and how long would it take for the round trip and it all sounded great. 4 pence each way and just over an hour each way too so we thought "We'll have some of that!!!"

Turned out it was the X91 that ran from Sheffield to Thurnscoe.........

Next time, we got the X4 to Dinnington then after that, the X90 to Mexborough I think.

Soon enough, our adventurous side was beaten into submission by these "expeditions".

yes but it didnt cost you much - you never know the fastline artic you went on could have been the one which was on top gear this year during the donkey derby . The one used on the programe was one of the 2011 - 2013 batch which you rode on

I remember watching that!

If it was that bus, I think it might be the same driver too, because on the way back, he got stopped by the coppers for speeding past Tinsley Wire. And even as an 11 year old, I knew he was going at a right pace like a man possesed.

Why didn't you tell the driver they had taken a wrong turn before you got to Glasgow?It's a straight road :P