'What universe is this?!' College students react as First Bus launch clothing line

By Morgan Don and Dylan Hughes

Photo: Ross Sneddon; Source: Unsplash

One of the UK’s leading providers of public transport, First Bus have recently launched a new campaign to encourage young people aged five to 22 to explore the benefits of using their free bus pass.  

 

They have released a streetwear campaign which will be available to the public later this month. The collection includes a printed T-shirt, a hand-stitched bucket hat and a sling bag made in collaboration with some of Scotland’s finest creatives.  

 

Boiiing, the creative designer behind the colourful patterns featured on each of the items, were inspired by the textile coverings of the bus seats. The bucket hat and the sling bag have been crafted by Trekke, a Scottish accessory brand known for their commitment to sustainability and quality. 

 

The bag has been made from eco-friendly materials, which reflects First Bus’s commitment to environmental responsibility. 

 

But students at City of Glasgow College are not impressed by the new designs. 

 

Second year student Jordan Coubertin said: “This is a spoof, isn’t it? No way!”  

 

Arun Parvis added: “Maybe more simplistic designs would be better. The bucket hat is just atrocious. I don’t see anyone wearing bucket hats anymore either. If you're going to wear a hat it should be a beanie or a baseball cap, not a bucket hat.” 

 

The collection is the latest addition to the Free to Explore campaign, which has previously included murals across Glasgow and Aberdeen, TikTok filters and a re-imagined version of the classic nursery rhyme, Wheels On The Bus.  

 

The newly remastered tune is in rap style and is accompanied by an eccentric music video, which has also been met with criticism. 

 

Arun also added: “I’ve seen enough. It’s honestly the most hideous thing I’ve seen. It’s disgusting. It makes me not want to ride the bus later. 

 

“The production value is way too good for it. They should be putting the money they get into other things instead of this.” 

 

The video, directed by Madebrave and Dominic O’Riordan, is to be shown throughout Scotland, appearing across TV, print and social media, with aims to showcase to benefits of taking the bus including convenience, affordability and environmental friendliness.  

 

Madebrave Deputy creative director, Naresh Subhash said: “Nobody said bus ads should be boring, in fact they should be quite the opposite. We are on a mission with First Bus to make buses relevant. This piece is a step towards rewriting the way we see busses and a critical one in helping to develop well-used, sustainable public transport systems across Scotland.”  

 

The clothing collection will be made available to the young people of Scotland later this month for free. It will be available in both Aberdeen and Glasgow and the locations of the ‘drop’ will be announced via social media.   

GlasgowSam Scouller