mic
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Post by mic on Nov 3, 2012 17:46:44 GMT 1
I imagine 37288/89 will find their new home on the 67/100 or the 17/18 routes, with the latter been using a mixture of the B9s and B5 hybrids following the 18 extension to Rusholme. the pioneer B9s now have had the i am cared for stickers applied now next is route branding
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Nov 3, 2012 23:10:18 GMT 1
I can see why Wigan will be taken over by Stagecoach Manchester as it will make managing the TfGM relationship easier. But geographically it would make more sense for it to be under the same control as Chorley and Preston Geographically I always wondered why Wigan became part of Greater Manchester. It is a bit out on a limb from other towns, and is nearer Liverpool than Manchester so if anything should have joined Merseyside! Also, Warrington missed out on joining either county. I see E400s as often on route 22 as B7RLEs, but have not seen B9TLs on this route recently. Maybe Bolton will have lost them al by now.
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mic
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Post by mic on Nov 4, 2012 12:09:57 GMT 1
I can see why Wigan will be taken over by Stagecoach Manchester as it will make managing the TfGM relationship easier. But geographically it would make more sense for it to be under the same control as Chorley and Preston Geographically I always wondered why Wigan became part of Greater Manchester. It is a bit out on a limb from other towns, and is nearer Liverpool than Manchester so if anything should have joined Merseyside! Also, Warrington missed out on joining either county. I see E400s as often on route 22 as B7RLEs, but have not seen B9TLs on this route recently. Maybe Bolton will have lost them al by now. same with Chester and Rock Ferry depots one is cheshire and other is Merseyside if they repainted any i think they would have Chester & Wirral fleet names on
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Nov 5, 2012 20:22:51 GMT 1
I can see why Wigan will be taken over by Stagecoach Manchester as it will make managing the TfGM relationship easier. But geographically it would make more sense for it to be under the same control as Chorley and Preston Geographically I always wondered why Wigan became part of Greater Manchester. It is a bit out on a limb from other towns, and is nearer Liverpool than Manchester so if anything should have joined Merseyside! Also, Warrington missed out on joining either county. I see E400s as often on route 22 as B7RLEs, but have not seen B9TLs on this route recently. Maybe Bolton will have lost them al by now. Saw a B9TL on the 37 this afternoon, so they're still there.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Nov 9, 2012 20:43:47 GMT 1
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Nov 17, 2012 0:07:11 GMT 1
First Bus have been putting leaflets on buses as well as creating webpages for their new cheaper tickets in Oldham and inside the M60, with the campaign to 'Save Oldham' and 'Save Manchester'. The cheaper tickets will valid from Sunday (18 November) until end of January 2013 (but may continue beyond that date - could be possible for either more tickets or perhaps overall reduction). FirstDayOldham and FirstDayM60 will be £3.90 and FirstWeek will be £13 OldhamFirstDayOldham and FirstWeekOldham are valid within the Oldham Metropolitan Area and along Oldham Road to/from Manchester. Valid on whole routes of 82N, 83, 180, 402, 403/404, 410/410A/411/411A, 425, 428, 982 (works service between Newton Heath and Shaw) and X84. Also valid on following services between certain points: *24 - Manchester and Thornham *52 - Failsworth Tesco and Brookdale Park *58/59 - Shaw/Rushcroft and Mills Hill *64 - Oldham and Mills Hill *81/81A - Derker/Holts and Owler Lane (just before Moston, Gardeners Arms) *149 - Derker/Holts and Owler Lane *181/182/X82 - Manchester and Shaw *184 - Manchester and Standedge Great Western (G.Mcr/West Yorks boundary) *343 - Oldham and Butt Lane (in between Grotton and Mossley) *350 - Oldham and Hey Farm *353 - Carrcote and Hattons *354 - Denshaw and Calf Lane *406 - Oldham and Firwood Park *408 - Shaw and Twirl Hill (in between Abbeyhills and St Damiens) *409 - Thornham and Bardsley *415 - Oldham and Alkrington *419 - Mills Hill and Bardsley www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/greater_manchester/tickets/save_oldham/ManchesterValid on whole routes of 19 (Clifton-Trafford Park), 27, 52, 53, 54, 74/75, 88/89, 110 and 205 (evenings). Also valid on following services between certain points: *8 - Manchester and Clifton *10/63/67/100 - Manchester and Peel Green *12 - Manchester and Roe Green *17/162/163 - Manchester and Higher Blackley *18 - Rusholme and Higher Blackley *22 - Stockport and Clifton *24/181/182/X82 - Manchester and New Moston *25/26/33 - Manchester and Worsley *31/32/X34 - Manchester and Old Clough Lane *36/37/39 - Manchester and Wardley *59/64/X35 - Manchester and Rhodes *68 - Trafford Centre and Worsley *81/81A - Manchester and Butterworth Lane (Broadway) *82N/83/149/180/184/X84 - Manchester and Hollinwood *92/93/94/98 - Manchester and Prestwich *95 - Pendleton and Prestwich *135 - Manchester and M60 (just before Besses o'th' Barn) *168 - Chorlton and Willowbank Farm *220/221 - Manchester and Audenshaw *328 - Reddish and Stockport *982 - Newton Heath and Hollinwood Not valid on services 380, 381 and 386 www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/greater_manchester/tickets/save_manchester/
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Nov 17, 2012 23:05:01 GMT 1
I went to Bolton and Oldham today. My First rides were 33657 (36), 69528 (582), 37288 (100) and 36280 (184). I was especially surprised to locate 36280 as I thought both would have been at Bolton, or be on the way to Leeds. It does mean that, quite unexpectedly, I did manage to ride post-Olympics E400 and Gemini on the same day! I noticed most if not all 11-reg Eclipses on route 582 already repainted. Mind you, this is a flagship route.
At one point, while I was on the Gemini on route 184, an E400 was on the same route in front and we passed an Eclipse, again on route 184, passing in the opposite direction!
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Nov 18, 2012 18:28:42 GMT 1
36279 and 36280 have been at Oldham depot for nearly two months now. Mainly used on the 83 but can drift onto other routes like the 81/81A, 180/184 or 181/182. Have spotted the occasional B7RLE on the 184 too, including ones branded for the 81/81A.
Some of the B7s that were used on the 100 are now in Oldham and been re-painted into the new livery, while Citaros are also back in Oldham too.
Haven't spotted 37288/9 since they returned from Huddersfield but good to see they're in use.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Nov 18, 2012 19:16:37 GMT 1
I imagined 36279 at Bolton and 36280 at Oldham so that FM could compare them with the E400s. There are noticeably more original B9TLs left at Oldham than Bolton.
I have seen a handful of Citaros back at Oldham, presumably as Dart replacements.
A few upgraded routes have had slight frequency cuts as a result, the ones I noticed being the 67 and 100.
The grey leather seats reminded me of my FlyBE flight earlier this month!
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mic
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Post by mic on Nov 18, 2012 20:48:34 GMT 1
36279 and 36280 have been at Oldham depot for nearly two months now. Mainly used on the 83 but can drift onto other routes like the 81/81A, 180/184 or 181/182. Have spotted the occasional B7RLE on the 184 too, including ones branded for the 81/81A. Some of the B7s that were used on the 100 are now in Oldham and been re-painted into the new livery, while Citaros are also back in Oldham too. Haven't spotted 37288/9 since they returned from Huddersfield but good to see they're in use. 37288/89 are at Queens Rd depot in Manchester
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Nov 19, 2012 22:08:08 GMT 1
36279 and 36280 have been at Oldham depot for nearly two months now. Mainly used on the 83 but can drift onto other routes like the 81/81A, 180/184 or 181/182. Have spotted the occasional B7RLE on the 184 too, including ones branded for the 81/81A. Some of the B7s that were used on the 100 are now in Oldham and been re-painted into the new livery, while Citaros are also back in Oldham too. Haven't spotted 37288/9 since they returned from Huddersfield but good to see they're in use. 37288/89 are at Queens Rd depot in Manchester I heard they were at Queens Road, just haven't been able to see them for myself yet. Only word of mouth. Heard that they've been on the 100 a lot. Noticed that a few B7RLEs at Queens Road have been re-painted this morning. Spotted a couple out on the 53 and 88.
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mic
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Post by mic on Nov 19, 2012 23:28:40 GMT 1
37288/89 are at Queens Rd depot in Manchester I heard they were at Queens Road, just haven't been able to see them for myself yet. Only word of mouth. Heard that they've been on the 100 a lot. Noticed that a few B7RLEs at Queens Road have been re-painted this morning. Spotted a couple out on the 53 and 88. well i will be in city tommorrow as i am going to Blackpool on train will keep a look out for them
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Post by sconehead85 on Nov 25, 2012 1:40:56 GMT 1
Would I be right in saying that :
1 ) The P-LND Dennis Darts are all gone?
2) There are only two Dennis Arrows not laid up (31941/7) as of 26th November ?
Any info received with maximost gratitude!
sconehead85
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Nov 25, 2012 11:52:16 GMT 1
Hi Sconehead85. I visited Bolton last Saturday and it seems that all the P-LND Darts had gone. Some routes that used to operate Darts on Mon-Sat such as the 507 and 533 had Eclipses instead.
It is strongly tipped that Stagecoach Manchester will replace the Dennis Arrows, but as they might not have spare double-deckers by then, I think they might operate on a short-term lease until the E400Hs arrive for route 192 early next year.
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Post by sconehead85 on Nov 25, 2012 18:44:47 GMT 1
Thanks met1511. I was really referring to the Arrows staying, however briefly with First. Stagecoach could rustle up nine "reserve" Volvo Olympians to provide short term Arrow replacements. Stagecoach Manchester was close to 100% LF, but the Wigan takeover will delay things, although the Arrows would HAVE to finish this year if P/R reg.
Stagecoach Merseyside will lose its 100% LF status when ten Volvo Olympians and the Chester o/ts are acquired.
sconehead85
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Matty
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Post by Matty on Nov 25, 2012 19:02:41 GMT 1
Why get Volvo Olympians when the Arrows are running fine, Stagecoach can just run them until they die.
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A1YBG
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METRO Here to get you there. Arriva Buses Here to get you there. Arriva need to get original slogans
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Post by A1YBG on Nov 25, 2012 20:25:08 GMT 1
Why get Volvo Olympians when the Arrows are running fine, Stagecoach can just run them until they die. Prob cos they are already in fleet livery and in better conditions than the arrows and taxed up? They don't have to acquire any as they are already in their reserve fleet so just love them around. By new year the who fleet will have prob been modernised. Also have experiences with Volvo with the maintenance programme. Could be many reasons for this.
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Post by sconehead85 on Nov 26, 2012 0:33:40 GMT 1
Why get Volvo Olympians when the Arrows are running fine, Stagecoach can just run them until they die. There is the matter of Greater Manchester ITA having a 15 year age limit and also the Dennis Arrow is non-standard with Stagecoach, plus there are HUNDREDS of Volvo Olympians to retire in four years. The Volvo Olympian is now the only step entry dd in mainstream Stagecoach service. sconehead85
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Dec 2, 2012 0:03:56 GMT 1
Even when First lose Wigan to Stagecoach overnight, they will retain route 33 on Mon-Sat daytime and an allocation on route X34. I think these will be from QS and BN respectively.
I think part of the reason First have introduced cheaper bus tickets within Manchester is because the full-network FirstDay etc will be valid over a smaller network without any corresponding fare cut.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Dec 2, 2012 12:56:36 GMT 1
Even when First lose Wigan to Stagecoach overnight, they will retain route 33 on Mon-Sat daytime and an allocation on route X34. I think these will be from QS and BN respectively. I think part of the reason First have introduced cheaper bus tickets within Manchester is because the full-network FirstDay etc will be valid over a smaller network without any corresponding fare cut. 33 is QS and X34 will be mainly QS with some peak time journeys operated from BN. One reason for the cheaper tickets n Oldham is that councillors have complained that Oldhamers have to pay more for fares than people in other areas of Greater Manchester (this is mainly down to the fact that the most services in Oldham are operated by First). There may be other reasons that influenced First to introduce the cheaper fares, such as the Metrolink extension to Oldham. I wouldn't be surprised to see First reduce the price of FirstDay and FirstWeek tickets for the whole region at some point next year or keep the network prices the same and introduce more cheaper tickets in the other areas of Greater Manchester.
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Post by sconehead85 on Dec 4, 2012 21:35:32 GMT 1
Slightly off topic I know, but First still has ONE Optare Excel , 62949 (W49 WDS) in First Devon and Cornwall. But that's it!
sconehead85
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Dec 9, 2012 0:07:49 GMT 1
From what I have seen, a majority of Volvo B9TL-Geminis already have the new livery. I think these have been a priority for repainting.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Dec 9, 2012 16:06:47 GMT 1
From what I have seen, a majority of Volvo B9TL-Geminis already have the new livery. I think these have been a priority for repainting. Yep, a lot of the 05/55/06 plate B7RLEs at Oldham and Queens Road have been re-painted along with newer ones at Bolton. Most B9s have also been re-painted (37554 I think one that hasn't yet), some of the bendy buses have also been re-painted for use on the 135 and 471. The Enviros arrived at Oldham and Bolton depots in the new livery. I'm not sure what the plans are for the other vehicles (Solos, Citaros, B6s, Darts etc). I'm sure that eventually they'll get re-painted. Other areas have re-painted vehicles like Solos and First's Bradford depot have re-painted the B10s for the 620/621 route.
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Post by MetrolineGA1511 on Dec 9, 2012 22:46:07 GMT 1
Yes SF07, I have seen some Eclipses and bendies repainted. I think more Oldham/ Manchester than Bolton Eclipses have been repainted though. Many of these I see in Manchester have the new livery but most that continue to work the 22 still have the old livery.
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SF07
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Post by SF07 on Dec 10, 2012 23:03:32 GMT 1
Yes SF07, I have seen some Eclipses and bendies repainted. I think more Oldham/ Manchester than Bolton Eclipses have been repainted though. Many of these I see in Manchester have the new livery but most that continue to work the 22 still have the old livery. In terms of Manchester depot, there have been quite a few Eclipses in the repainted livery on the 53 and 88/89.
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