(02 Mar 2021, 4:37 pm)Andreos1 wrote I've seen comments that it 'reads better' and 'passengers can see it better at bus stations'.

I'd argue neither of those things are actually accurate. 
There's the whole discussion about the 28 to BChester le Street or 35 to ALow Moorsley. 
Then there's the fact that the proportion of bus stations to bus stops is massively in favour of bus stops and punters will potentially struggle to see which service is approaching.
The whole 'can see it better at bus stations' line seems to contradict all the comments we've had from drivers about passengers struggling to see short-running services - despite it being in the apparent prime viewing spot on the offside of the display in the past.

Whereas all the best practice (as you mention) has many positives.

I personally do think that it reads better having the number first, but in just about every other scenario it's worse.
Potentially, in some bus stations where the vehicles are parked on an angle and the door mechanism is in the way, I can see it being easier to see. But in my experience front blinds are impossible to read regardless of the location of the number due to the poor design of the bus stations!