First Bus is one of the largest bus operators in the United Kingdom, providing essential urban and interurban public transport services across major cities including Glasgow, Bristol, Leeds, and Manchester. The company is a subsidiary of FirstGroup plc, a leading transport operator in the UK and North America. First Bus has played a pivotal role in regional mobility since its inception in 1995, following the deregulation and privatization of the UK bus industry. Over the years, the company has focused on sustainability, technology-driven services, and customer-centered innovation in public transportation.
The First Bus logo has undergone a notable transformation reflecting the company’s shift toward modernization and a cleaner, greener transport vision. The older logo featured a more traditional typeface and a symbolic “f” emblem with dual colors — pink and blue — reflecting FirstGroup’s corporate brand.
In the most recent rebrand, First Bus introduced a bold, minimalist identity that aligns with digital-first principles. The new logo, launched in 2023, features a contemporary sans-serif typeface with a custom-designed geometric symbol. This change mirrors the company’s broader commitment to innovation, electrification, and a customer-first ethos.
The new First Bus logo is a refined representation of clarity, motion, and accessibility. It stands out in the transportation sector with a design that is simultaneously modern, distinct, and functional across various digital and physical platforms.
The logo includes a circular icon on the left which contains two intersecting lines, resembling a stylized "F". This symbol can also be interpreted as a pathway or a globe, suggesting movement, global connectivity, and forward progression. The circular shape evokes a sense of unity and completeness — key values in public transportation systems.
The bespoke letterforms used in the wordmark “first bus” carry subtle curves and sharp cuts, creating a harmonious balance between friendliness and precision. The use of lowercase letters gives the brand an approachable and contemporary tone.
The primary color in the logo is a deep purple, symbolizing reliability, trust, and professionalism. Purple also distinguishes First Bus from more commonly used transport colors such as blue, red, or green, helping the brand to visually stand out in both urban environments and digital interfaces.
This singular color usage enhances simplicity and memorability while making the logo easily adaptable across print, web, signage, and vehicle liveries.
The First Bus logo is a combination mark, integrating a unique graphic icon with a custom-designed wordmark. This dual structure ensures strong brand presence whether the elements are used together or separately. The logo's minimal geometry and monoline style signal a strong embrace of digital-first branding strategies.
Designers and branding professionals can download the First Bus logo in vector formats such as SVG, PDF, AI, and also in transparent PNG format. These formats are ideal for both print and digital applications and are available for free from logowik.com.