First Manchester

[37554BY]

RE: First Manchester

(06/04/2014 23:23)P528LND Wrote:  I had a tweet from someone on the @FirstManchester feed mention that something was to occur with the 425 in regards to new buses... I'm not pointing any fingers but the possibility is certainly there as they seem to be trying a little bit more with the route.

Also, getting rid of Citaros seems quite unlikely since it's on the cards that they're staying past their sell-by. It's been mentioned by more than one driver that I've spoken to at Oldham depot that there is something possibly going on with them...

Only time will tell though, plus remember not to rule out that there's an extra 27 Enviro400's on their way to Manchester in the near future, so it will be interesting to find out where their planned to be allocated to.

Last thing to mention, I've recently heard that First want rid of the last step entranced vehicles within the next two months. Again this is rumoured but it's there, and time will tell!

Nobody take my word though, as with everyone this board is a mix of fact and speculation, and I've not heard anywhere in the rules that things aren't open for discussion.

New batch of Enviro400s Are for Rusholme, wouldn't have thought it all likely anymore for BN or OM where as Rusholme seems more likely

[VolvoB10M]

RE: First Manchester
Couldn't they use Scania's 61137/40/41/42 at Bolton to replace the remaining Olympians?

[Mayneway]

RE: First Manchester
Do we know exactly how many step entrance deckers are still in use in the Manchester fleet? I know Dukinfield has 3 and there's a few at Oldham mainly used on schools.

[YSV-205]

RE: First Manchester

(06/04/2014 23:30)37554BY Wrote:  New batch of Enviro400s Are for Rusholme, wouldn't have thought it all likely anymore for BN or OM where as Rusholme seems more likely

Well let's hope that First can justify new double deckers at Rusholme. Of the ones I've seen operating the 42 & in particular between Didsbury & Fallowfield, are lucky if there's 10 passengers on them. Even the Streetlite passenger numbers appear to be in single figures. Granted I do not really know how busy the Fallowfield to the City section is.

In the Finglands days the fleet was about 30 to 40 buses at most. Already First have about 50 buses based there. The additional 10 or so Streetlite's, 63156 » have been mentioned a few pages back as being for Rusholme & now the additional 20+ Enviro400's, 33831 » for Rusholme. I'd be surprised if the depot is big enough for all these. But I would love to see them there.

[WWH44L]

RE: First Manchester

(08/04/2014 10:19)YSV-205 Wrote:  Well let's hope that First can justify new double deckers at Rusholme. Of the ones I've seen operating the 42 & in particular between Didsbury & Fallowfield, are lucky if there's 10 passengers on them. Even the Streetlite passenger numbers appear to be in single figures. Granted I do not really know how busy the Fallowfield to the City section is.

In the Finglands days the fleet was about 30 to 40 buses at most. Already First have about 50 buses based there. The additional 10 or so Streetlite's, 63156 » have been mentioned a few pages back as being for Rusholme & now the additional 20+ Enviro400's, 33831 » for Rusholme. I'd be surprised if the depot is big enough for all these. But I would love to see them there.

I very much doubt the new Enviro400s (if infact they are still coming here) will go to Rusholme. Based on previous events I would have thought BN/OM would be the obvious choice with the cascade of older deckers to other depots. Not much use in speculating though.

[WWH44L]

RE: First Manchester

(08/04/2014 10:25)WWH44L Wrote:  I very much doubt the new Enviro400s (if infact they are still coming here) will go to Rusholme. Based on previous events I would have thought BN/OM would be the obvious choice with the cascade of older deckers to other depots. Not much use in speculating though.

Just seen this on the TfGM website. Maybe some of the new deckers are for the 582, I know it needs it unless another batch of Streetlights are due for it?

Quality locked in on flagship Bolton-Leigh bus route

Greater Manchester’s first Voluntary Bus Partnership Agreement (VPA) has been introduced on a flagship bus route linking Bolton and Leigh.

Transport for Greater Manchester (TfGM) has spearheaded the move, putting pen to paper along with bus operator First and Bolton and Wigan Councils.

By signing up to the agreement, all partners are committed to keeping high quality bus services and infrastructure on the 582 bus route, which runs along the B5215 and A579.

The 582 calls along the route every 10 minutes in the peak, and carries around 1.5 million passengers a year.

First has agreed to continue meeting high standards, including excellent customer service and regular, reliable bus services, run on time by high quality vehicles.

In turn, local councils and TfGM will make sure passengers have quality bus service information, maintain the highway, bus stops and shelters, improve traffic management and make sure parking restrictions are well enforced.

Councillor Mark Aldred, Vice Chair of the TfGM Committee and transport spokesperson for Wigan Council, said: “Today’s agreement is all about safeguarding the long-term future of this important bus route, improving bus services and hopefully boosting bus use too.

“First are already delivering a good service along this route, and I expect this partnership to drive forward even more improvements for passengers.

“As well as improving the overall bus passenger experience, I hope this will encourage more people to give the bus a go and help reduce local traffic congestion.”

First has already delivered 11 new vehicles on the 582 route, equipped with free Wi-Fi which will come into passenger use this summer.

Teresa Broxton, managing director, First in Manchester added: “By working together with TfGM and Bolton & Wigan Councils we can ensure we continue to deliver great service for our customers and attract even more people onto our buses.

“We look forward to introducing similar voluntary partnerships across Greater Manchester delivering high quality and reliable services supported by enforced bus priorities.

“The combination of such partnership measures and our great value fares offer a real alternative to the car.”

Bolton Council’s Cabinet Member for Highways and Transport, Councillor David Chadwick, said: “Signing up to this agreement shows that we are committed to working with our partners to deliver improvements to public transport which will benefit our residents, and we welcome this opportunity to deliver better bus services for bus users.”

The Voluntary Partnership Agreement means the investment already made in this route – such as new buses, bus lanes, stops and shelters – are now secured for at least the next five years.

Further partnerships schemes are also being developed for key routes in Manchester, Salford and Rochdale aimed at improving services and boosting bus use.

TfGM is currently delivering a major bus priority package to improve bus services on key routes across Greater Manchester, with a multi-million pound investment in bus priority and facilities.

Councillor Andrew Fender, Chair of the TfGM Committee, added: “Partnership schemes like this will be crucial to getting the most out of our bus priority package routes – which include Greater Manchester’s first guided busway – so I look forward to seeing more bus passengers benefit in coming years.”

Future planned partnership schemes include:

•Salford: A580 Frederick Road to Old Clough Lane; A580 Old Clough Lane to Ellenbrook
•Rochdale/Manchester: Manchester New Road / Rochdale Road
•Manchester: Oxford Road; Upper Brook Street; Lloyd Street / Cambridge Street

[WhiteVanMan]

RE: First Manchester

(08/04/2014 10:19)YSV-205 Wrote:  In the Finglands days the fleet was about 30 to 40 buses at most. Already First have about 50 buses based there.

With the increase in the number of buses based at Rusholme, they must be running-out of space. The big question is, is there enough space for all these extra buses ?

(08/04/2014 10:19)YSV-205 Wrote:  I'd be surprised if the depot is big enough for all these. But I would love to see them there.

[Mayneway]

RE: First Manchester

(08/04/2014 15:22)WhiteVanMan Wrote:  With the increase in the number of buses based at Rusholme, they must be running-out of space. The big question is, is there enough space for all these extra buses ?

The depot is deffiantly not big enough. It's already a tight squeeze but don't forget the depot is only leased so they could in theory move to bigger premises if they needed too.

[VolvoB10M]

RE: First Manchester

(08/04/2014 16:51)Mayneway Wrote:  The depot is deffiantly not big enough. It's already a tight squeeze but don't forget the depot is only leased so they could in theory move to bigger premises if they needed too.

Just park them in the petrol station outside.

[WhiteVanMan]

RE: First Manchester

(08/04/2014 16:51)Mayneway Wrote:  don't forget the depot is only leased

Interesting, very interesting. This so called bus war between First and Stagecoach is getting very very interesting.

Stagecoach, takes-over Bluebird, who's depot is leased.
First, takes-over Finglands, who's depot is leased.
Stagecoach, puts double deckers in Middleton, for service 112 and Schools.
First, puts brand new buses in Rusholme, and registers an extension of service 42 to NMGH.
Stagecoach, registers a Manchester to Farnworth service. (Service 38).
First, lowers it fares in the Wilmslow Road area.
Stagecoach, lowers it fares in the Wilmslow Road area.

So what next ?
First, converts service 42 to double deck ?, using new Enviro400's 33831-33857 ?
Stagecoach, increase its Magic bus operations ?, along Wilmslow Road ?