Best known for destination displays, McKenna Brothers has expanded its offering in recent years as operator requirements change. STEVE BANNER gets the full story from director Derek Dawson
Is the printed destination blind about to become history at long last? Not quite – but it is clearly on borrowed time with London, its last stronghold, now prepared to accept high-resolution electronic destination displays on buses.
Transport for London (TfL) is allowing operators to choose either, said Derek Dawson, managing director of leading destination display supplier McKenna Brothers, which is celebrating its 44th year of trading this year. "Things are changing slowly but surely," he observed.
"When it comes to clarity I don't think you'll ever beat a printed blind, but our high-resolution electronic displays get very close." he added. "In fact, the untrained eye is unlikely to notice the difference between them."
Printed blinds
Aside from issues of clarity, why might operators want to stick with the printed option? "Because it's cheaper," Dawson replied; and bus fleets are under considerable financial pressure in an increasingly-tough economic environment.
The electronic displays McKenna Brothers pr…