Manchester bus franchising

[Y458 KNF]

RE: Manchester bus franchising

(23/12/2022 16:28)SF07 Wrote:  Rotala have announced that they've agreed to sell their Bolton depot to GMCA for usage for the Bee Network next year but will continue to operate existing services there until September. Diamond Bus will move their existing Eccles depot to a bigger depot nearby.

Go-Ahead Group have said that they've won the big two contracts, running 55 routes with 308 buses in Bolton and Wigan. It's likely they'll run from Diamond's Bolton depot and possibly the Stagecoach depot in Wigan. Diamond Bus say that they're unhappy to not win a large franchise contract but respect the decision. They'll gain 60 new buses next summer for use on the Bee Network and they'll be bidding to win contracts in the Bury, Rochdale and Oldham areas next year.

https://newsroom.go-ahead.com/news/go-ah...-and-wigan
https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/dbnw-g...ng-awards/

I wonder if Rotala will keep the StreetDecks for Preston & the Midlands as it seems a big waste of money to sell them on after not having them long