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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Sept 1, 2012 22:09:14 GMT 1
I figured it would be good to have a thread on First Manchester here. A few of their buses on route 184 come to Huddersfield from Manchester. It is also rumoured that some Volvo B9TLs could be cascaded from Oldham to West Yorkshire. I was in Manchester this afternoon and saw for the first time examples of Scania bendibuses (route 135) and Volvo B7RLE-Eclipses (route 81) in new livery. As seen in the First WY section, the first ex-Olympics E400s have just entered service at Oldham on route 409, such as this one. 4.bp.blogspot.com/-52PSp9xcFl8/UD27H69xQeI/AAAAAAAAEGw/saIt6BQcfRs/s1600/photo-778198.JPGI live in Stockport and see some First buses on route 22 and 380/381/386, but most of this latter batch are TfGM leased, although an occasional Solo appears.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Sept 2, 2012 21:04:50 GMT 1
Well, it has been mentioned on this forum and on other forums too, so it looks like Enviros will be coming on to the 180/184 next, following on from the 409 last week. Did wonder whether something was going on because I spotted a lot of unbranded B9TLs in the new livery and a couple in the old livery too.
Interesting timing given that Stagecoach are introducing new Enviros on to the 76 this week as part of their enhanced service, running every 10 mins between Oldham and Manchester via Limeside and Failsworth. Also means a little battle between Garden Suburb and Oldham between 76 and the 180/184 (something I'm interested in as it's my local route).
Have been on Stagecoach's new Enviro, which was out in service earlier than expected on Friday. Not been on First's yet but will hopefully do this week, as I'm intrigued to see what they're like. Shouldn't be long for Bolton to get theirs in service too, I would imagine, probably on the 8, 36 and 37 routes.
The B7RLEs have been re-painted in the last couple of weeks and recently gained the branding for the 81/81A. Means that the 82/83 is the only major route in Oldham not to have branded buses. I'm assuming this'll come soon with possibly some extra B9s from the 180/184 and 409 debranding and Enviros.
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Post by driver6540 on Sept 3, 2012 19:44:59 GMT 1
Interesting times ahead, It will be good to see something other than a Wrightbus product on the 184 into Huddersfield.
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Post by Father Dougal McGuire on Sept 3, 2012 22:03:07 GMT 1
Repainted eclipse with 81/81a branding, seen last Wednesday in Manchester. Rear of an Enviro400 on 409. Another enviro...
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Post by driver6540 on Sept 7, 2012 20:16:31 GMT 1
Apologies in advance, If this is deemed an in-appropriate thread to post this. But i have a few questions. Firstly, I believe Stagecoach have started a new "76" service between Oldham-Manchester. Using new "traditional" branded ADL Enviro 400's, (Not the glorified milk floats, which seem to be in vogue at the moment). Firstly I'd like to ask, where are these new buses based, ie, Ashton, Stockport, Queens rd etc?. Also, does this new service run in direct competition to First's Purple line 180/4 and Orange line 82/3 service's, If not, what route does it take?. Many thanks in anticipation of your kind responses. I'm sure SF07 will know.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Sept 8, 2012 21:20:53 GMT 1
Route 76 is a traditional Stagecoach route, operated I believe from Hyde Road depot. Its routeing is a little south of First Manchester routes, which might be why it ran from Hyde Road and joined GMBS now Stagecoach, rather than GMBN now First.
The fact that the above Enviro 400 has Greater Manchester branding points to it being used on any suitable route rather than being routebound.
As some double-deckers appear on route 22, especially on Sundays, this could let me know about when Enviro 400s are entering service at Bolton.
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Post by Father Dougal McGuire on Sept 8, 2012 22:08:11 GMT 1
184/180 interworks with a 54 or 56 I think.
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Steve Macz403
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Post by Steve Macz403 on Sept 9, 2012 14:19:45 GMT 1
184/180 interworks with a 54 or 56 I think. Its 58/59 That the 180/184 interworks with but only on Sunday Daytime journeys. The 54, is another manchester route from Hulme Asda - Longsight ran by manchester community Transport.
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Steve Macz403
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Post by Steve Macz403 on Sept 9, 2012 14:22:59 GMT 1
Route 76 is a traditional Stagecoach route, operated I believe from Hyde Road depot. Its routeing is a little south of First Manchester routes, which might be why it ran from Hyde Road and joined GMBS now Stagecoach, rather than GMBN now First. The fact that the above Enviro 400 has Greater Manchester branding points to it being used on any suitable route rather than being routebound. As some double-deckers appear on route 22, especially on Sundays, this could let me know about when Enviro 400s are entering service at Bolton. The 22 is a mysterious route as half the time its ran by first and Stagecoach, if first do put Enviro 400's on 22 journeys, they would be uniform with stagecoach's 22 journeys also running Enviro 400's from Stockport depot ;D
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Sept 9, 2012 19:53:16 GMT 1
Apologies in advance, If this is deemed an in-appropriate thread to post this. But i have a few questions. Firstly, I believe Stagecoach have started a new "76" service between Oldham-Manchester. Using new "traditional" branded ADL Enviro 400's, (Not the glorified milk floats, which seem to be in vogue at the moment). Firstly I'd like to ask, where are these new buses based, ie, Ashton, Stockport, Queens rd etc?. Also, does this new service run in direct competition to First's Purple line 180/4 and Orange line 82/3 service's, If not, what route does it take?. Many thanks in anticipation of your kind responses. I'm sure SF07 will know. Yes, as the 76 and 184 are my two local routes. The 76 is indeed operated from Hyde Road as Metroline said. It does run in direct competition with First on the 180/184 between Garden Suburb and Oldham town centre via Copster Hill Road and Ashton Road (also served by 409 and 425). There are other sections that the 76 has alternative services but they're not as frequent as the 76. They are Failsworth Tesco to Newton Heath (52 run half-hourly by First) and Newton Heath to Manchester via Philips Park Cemetery (77 run every 20 mins by Bluebird). First did run the 183 between Limeside and Oldham but they withdrew it last week and now has been replaced by TfGM-tendered hourly service, operated by Stagecoach and running on to Royal Oldham Hospital. 76 doesn't really run in direct competition with the 82/83 as the 76 meanders around Failsworth and Limeside while the 83 runs straight up the A62. However, despite the 76 taking about 15 mins longer than the 83/180/184, Stagecoach is cheaper than First, so some people may travel on the slower service for less money. May be interesting to see if passengers do switch to the cheaper option between Salford and Manchester now that Stagecoach have extended the 50 from Manchester to MediaCityUK via Salford train stations, the university and Pendleton. From personal experience, the service is well-used between MediaCity and Pendleton (Salford Shopping Centre) but a little light in the loadings between Pendleton and Manchester at the moment. But if Stagecoach do start to get passengers off First services, like the 37 (closest rival service), and they may do with the new academic year at Salford uni (Stagecoach have Unirider tickets), then we may see First retaliate against Stagecoach with cheaper fares in Salford (like they've done with the 17 against JPT) or less-likely but you never know, new services in south Manchester (move into Stagecoach's territory). The 22 route is certainly a unique one in Manchester. The shared service between First and Stagecoach dates back to GM Buses days with the different depots. Plus, passengers with Stagecoach weekly tickets can use that ticket on First's 22 service and vice versa.
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Post by westyorkshirebus on Sept 10, 2012 18:10:08 GMT 1
I did wonder where the 76 had appeared from, obviously in the past it was a low key minor route that had gone unnoticed.
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A1YBG
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Post by A1YBG on Sept 10, 2012 20:28:35 GMT 1
The 76 is also less busy too. We caught it on Saturday and a handful of passengers got on. Here is the 76 branding
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Sept 10, 2012 22:50:16 GMT 1
76 has grown over the last few years and is quite busy at times. It has become the main service for people travelling between Limeside and Oldham following First cutting back on services in the area (52 and 406 being former services in the area) until the point where Limeside is now pretty much Stagecoach territory with the 76 and 183, the latter being taken over by Stagecoach from First last week. The only other service in Limeside is the evening/Sunday service 78 by Bluebird (a similar service to the 76 just with some extra places served).
76 also very popular around southern Failsworth, where again it's the main service for journeys to Oldham/Manchester and there is no major First service in that area, just on Oldham Road with the 83 and 180/184.
Meanwhile, October may be a busy month for First with possible route changes on some services in Oldham (81, 350, 415) and some B9TLs heading to Tameside for the 348/350, while more Enviro400s should be in service by that point in Oldham and Bolton. Also, more buses have been painted into new livery, including the bendy buses for the 135/471 and the 11-plate B7RLEs on the 582.
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Post by SF07 on Sept 14, 2012 11:33:14 GMT 1
Been reported on the Dennis Dart forum that First Manchester are to respond to Stagecoach extending the 50 through Salford by extending their 18 service (Langley-Manchester) across the city centre to the Manchester hospitals (MRI). This will no doubt see First trying to target some of the uni students too along Oxford Road.
No confirmed date yet but will probably be at the end of October.
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A1YBG
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Post by A1YBG on Sept 14, 2012 19:13:53 GMT 1
Been reported on the Dennis Dart forum that First Manchester are to respond to Stagecoach extending the 50 through Salford by extending their 18 service (Langley-Manchester) across the city centre to the Manchester hospitals (MRI). This will no doubt see First trying to target some of the uni students too along Oxford Road. No confirmed date yet but will probably be at the end of October. May we see the "uni link" brand come to Manchester? So we have stagecoach and magic bus along with first and uni link.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Sept 22, 2012 22:38:47 GMT 1
I have also seen some pix of E400s on Bolton routes 8, 36 and 37. It would be tidy for Oldham and Bolton to lose Volvo B9TLs to other garages, preferably but not necessarily in Manchester, rather than have both types at the same garages.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Sept 23, 2012 15:52:14 GMT 1
I have also seen some pix of E400s on Bolton routes 8, 36 and 37. It would be tidy for Oldham and Bolton to lose Volvo B9TLs to other garages, preferably but not necessarily in Manchester, rather than have both types at the same garages. A couple of Enviros have started on the Bolton routes this week, while they have started on the 180/184 in the last week too with the numbers growing by the day (about 50/50 between Enviros and B9TLs at the moment on the 180/184). There has been a lot of talk that some B9TLs will move to Tameside for use on the 348/350 from some point next month. 37381 (which is an Oldham depot bus formerly a 180/184 branded bus) now has First Pioneer legals, which is the legal name for Tameside depot. Although, it is still in use in Oldham at the moment. Meanwhile, there are changes expected next month for First Manchester services. Some details already known (18 extended to MRI, 180/184 timetable changes). These are some details (from the Dennis Dart forum): 18 extended to run Langley-MRI via city centre 64 Oldham-Middleton section reduced to hourly 67 Daytime reduced to every 15 mins. 82 withdrawn. Replaced by additional 83s. Overall, less buses direct down Oldham Road, with Uppermill extensions also withdrawn. Nightbus unaffected, though. 100 Trafford Centre-M'cr reduced to every 15 mins Mon-Sat. Warrington/Hollins Green retimed, but current frequency maintained. 180/4 Totally revised, with 180 reduced to hourly, but additional shorts between Grotton & M'cr meaning 8bph (M-Sa day) on this section. Diggle Sam Road will now be served by through Hudd-M'cr journeys. NB; FWY (HU) will no longer run on this route - all workings will be OM. 350 Route changed to serve Greenacres Road (see 415). Minor t/t changes 415 Truncated to run between Middleton and Oldham only Minor t/t changes: 58, 59, 68, 98, 348, 472/4, X84
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Post by driver6540 on Sept 23, 2012 19:56:22 GMT 1
Thanks for posting the above SF07. Have i read it right, that Hudd's will no longer operate the 184?.
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Post by SF07 on Sept 23, 2012 20:28:43 GMT 1
Thanks for posting the above SF07. Have i read it right, that Hudd's will no longer operate the 184?. That's what's been reported. Should see whole new timetable with some journeys being withdrawn and some added for placement journeys (earlier departures to Huddersfield, later departures from Huddersfield). Possibly a case of buses leaving Huddersfield at 0730 and hour until 1830 then from Manchester at 0530 to 1630. If that is the case, it would finally mean that the last Mon-Sat departure will be around the same time as the last Sunday departure, instead of being an hour before. Should hopefully get some more news on the changes in the coming weeks, with the timetables appearing on Traveline, news on First/TfGM/Metro website and a possible mention in the forthcoming TFGM Committee meeting that will take place a week on Friday (5 October).
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Post by driver6540 on Sept 24, 2012 20:35:35 GMT 1
Could be the begining of the end for the direct link between Hudds and Manchester then. I cant honestly see FGM wanting to carry on the 184 past Uppermill, given the loading's between there and Marsden not being particularly great. The Marsden-Hudds section (The Colne Valley corridor), is already very well served by First Hudd's 183/5 services, with the 181 joining at Slowit. I hope then that, perhaps First Hudds may look to re-introduce the 365 Oldham service (Or, at least a variant of it). It would be a crying shame to lose the link over Standedge to Oldham and beyond, not just because there's been a link for over sixty years. But it truly is one the most scenic routes in the north of England. You will have to travel far and wide to see better views than sitting on the top of a decker operated 184 travelling up and over Standedge.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Sept 24, 2012 20:51:51 GMT 1
Could be the begining of the end for the direct link between Hudds and Manchester then. I cant honestly see FGM wanting to carry on the 184 past Uppermill, given the loading's between there and Marsden not being particularly great. The Marsden-Hudds section (The Colne Valley corridor), is already very well served by First Hudd's 183/5 services, with the 181 joining at Slowit. I hope then that, perhaps First Hudds may look to re-introduce the 365 Oldham service (Or, at least a variant of it). It would be a crying shame to lose the link over Standedge to Oldham and beyond, not just because there's been a link for over sixty years. But it truly is one the most scenic routes in the north of England. You will have to travel far and wide to see better views than sitting on the top of a decker operated 184 travelling up and over Standedge. I'm not sure that'll be the case. I used to catch the 184 to/from Huddersfield regularly when I was at uni and have used it a number of times since leaving uni and the number of passengers using the 184 to/from Huddersfield has grown over the years. Certainly popular with college/uni students travelling over from Oldham and Saddleworth to Huddersfield but also with daytrippers. I think as long as First WY and First GM work together with the timetables for the 181-185 services then I think it will do alright through Marsden, Slaithwaite, Linthwaite and Cowlersley. The only thing I think might be lost is the first journey from Huddersfield and last journey from Manchester, as I can see First GM running a bus from Oldham to Huddersfield at 5-5.30am and from Huddersfield at around 7.30pm. May see buses from Oldham at 6am (or Manchester at 5.30am) and from Huddersfield at 6.30pm.
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Post by www.buseireann.ie on Sept 24, 2012 20:58:57 GMT 1
You get a lot of commuters and shoppers using the service between Oldham and Marsden/Slathwaite. I've caught this service during cold weather in the middle of winter and it's been used well between these points.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Sept 25, 2012 19:46:28 GMT 1
You get a lot of commuters and shoppers using the service between Oldham and Marsden/Slathwaite. I've caught this service during cold weather in the middle of winter and it's been used well between these points. Did use to see somebody who travelled every week between Uppermill and Marsden when commuting to uni. Plus you do get a few hikers who board the 184 and get off on the tops (near the county boundary). Meanwhile, not sure if it has happened before today but spotted an Enviro bound for Huddersfield on the 184 this morning. This might become a regular thing soon, although I think the last bus from Huddersfield this afternoon was a B9TL, so if anyone's looking to take a ride on a Enviro through Standedge, you may need to time it right.
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Post by driver6540 on Sept 25, 2012 21:56:22 GMT 1
I do hope you're right, and the 184 does continue fully end to end. However based on my own observations (I use it from Linthwaite to Oldham, most thursday afternoons), Most passengers get off at Slowit or Marsden, then the bus is virtually empty over Standedge and only starts filling again at Uppermill. There's probably been a few Enviro's on this service now. 33703 was on it all day last friday.
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Post by driver6540 on Sept 27, 2012 19:32:00 GMT 1
E400 33693? on 184 Hudds all day today.
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