BT Vehicles
A Detailed History
BT Vehicles
The ubiquitous Vauxhall Vivaro is a mainstay of the BT Fleet, although the majority of new vans are badged within the network access of Openreach.


Photo: BT Vauxhall Vivaro at a training centre © LSA April 2009
| EXIT to Fleet Index | The Grey Fleet | The White Fleet: Piper and Global | Facts from the Era |
Introduction

The BT Fleet periodically changes its vehicle livery to reflect the current company profile and branding. A major change was from a grey to white base colour, and in recent years the use of multi-coloured vinyls (e.g. the London 2012 Olympics branding) have produced eye-catching displays. Vehicles and branding will continue to evolve and these pages aim to track the ongoing developments...
The Grey Fleet  
The Grey Fleet (Piper)
"BT’s piper is a living message carrier or communicator with a very real human purpose. The symbol has a hint of heraldry which gives it nobility and a sense of history."

The Grey Fleet was introduced in April 1991 as part of BT's new corporate image.

Photo: BT Ford Transit one-tonne © LSA 1999
The White Fleet (Piper)  
The White Fleet (Piper)
"The logo's background will be changed from grey to white "to show off the trumpeting figure more effectively."

The White Piper Fleet was introduced in December 1999 as part of an updating of the BT Piper branding.

Photo: BT Ford Escort © LSA February 2000
The White Fleet (Global)  
The White Fleet (Global)
The BT Openworld, 'Connected-World' logo was introduced in April 2003 as part of BT's new corporate image.

The White Global Fleet features the 21st century branding of BT vehicles.

Photo: BT Vauhall Vivaro © LSA April 2010
The Purple Fleet  
The Purple Fleet
The rather distinctive use of purple as a BT identity together with a vinyl-wrapped family scene and strapline 'Get in touch.'




Photo: BT WV Transporter T30 © LSA March 2020.
The Circle Fleet  
The Circle Fleet
The simplified BT branding using the new 'circle' logo.



Photo: BT Nissan © David Whittaker March 2021.
Facts from the Era

The New Roads & Street Works Act 1991

As a result of various provisions [dated 28.11.92, 01.01.93 & 01.04.93] of the above code, all vehicles working on or beside roads had to be fitted with a amber rotating roof beacon. Thus the majority of BT vans have beacons fitted as a matter of course. In the 2010s, some roof racks incorporate 4 orange flashing lights, in lieu of the usual single rotating beacon.

WITHOD

Working In The Hours Of Darkness is an initiative which was trialled during July 1994 and rolled out later in the year. Essentially it was a portable lighting kit to enable field service technicians to work safely in conditions of 'poor natural light.' It was intended to extend the working day, in order to maximise efficiency and to allow provision and repair of customers' overhead lines outside of normal hours.

Design, images and text compiled by © Light-Straw. Page last updated 17 May 2021.

All logos and trade marks are the property of their respective owners and are used on the Light Straw site(s) for review only. Students and researchers are recommended to make their own independent enquiries as to the accuracy of the information contained therein.