(08/02/2021 18:53)NorthernCounties Wrote: [ -> ]Social media update tonight re. Little Gem Bus Company.
"HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT:
From 11th April 2021 we are set to takeover the following bus services in and around Greater Manchester:
X5, 88, 151, 245, 260, 261, 262, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 335, 339, 345, 375, and 396.
We will also continue with our 84A, 391 and 392 services but sadly will be standing down on the 382, 397 and 521 services.
We look forward to providing the best service possible for your communities going forward."
I wonder if Diamond might give up on Eccles as the routes that Goodwins are taking over from them wouldn't have been able to be run from Bolton without much dead mileage.
(08/02/2021 19:09)knutstransport Wrote: [ -> ]So the obvious question is does 88 mean the late and Sunday 88 Altrincham-Wilmslow journeys which were interworked with the 288 or something else?
My interpretation of the 88 announcement would be the evening and Sunday journeys as these were the ones introduced by TFGM. The main daytime 88 service is provided under contract to Cheshire East
(08/02/2021 18:53)NorthernCounties Wrote: [ -> ]Social media update tonight re. Little Gem Bus Company.
"HUGE ANNOUNCEMENT:
From 11th April 2021 we are set to takeover the following bus services in and around Greater Manchester:
X5, 88, 151, 245, 260, 261, 262, 281, 282, 283, 284, 285, 286, 287, 288, 335, 339, 345, 375, and 396.
We will also continue with our 84A, 391 and 392 services but sadly will be standing down on the 382, 397 and 521 services.
We look forward to providing the best service possible for your communities going forward."
Would expect an increase in around 20 vehicles required for this.
(11/11/2020 23:11)Citibus Wrote: [ -> ]YJ65 EPZ has moved on/not stayed
Manchester Bee livered Volvo B9R / Caetano Levantes:
WSV552 is back to FJ12 FYK
WSV553 is back to FJ12 FY?
Van Hool WA12 KNP is now GO60 ODY
The 12 Plate Levantes are now WSV487 and R77WES (Unsure as to which is which)
Scania N270UD YT09YHU has changed from GSU489 to WSV552.
Optare MetroCity YJ15AAV has changed from TYA218 to GSU489.
(08/02/2021 20:59)ant17612 Wrote: [ -> ]Would expect an increase in around 20 vehicles required for this.
Sources close to the company have stated that they are in the process of acquiring new vehicles into the fleet. I look forward to seeing what they get and bring some colour to vehicles in Manchester
(08/02/2021 21:28)Nwales Bus Wrote: [ -> ]Sources close to the company have stated that they are in the process of acquiring new vehicles into the fleet. I look forward to seeing what they get and bring some colour to vehicles in Manchester
Would expect them to go for a mix of Solo's and Enviro200s but its a wait and see job.
VDL SB180 MCV Evolution B34F were at the depot the other day
YJ62 JWF
YJ62 JWL
YJ62 JXG
YJ62 JXW
most recently with Arriva fleets, i think in all over white, not standard fleet livery.
Regarding the 88 announcement just to clear things up the way things are at the moment and have been for a while according to both 88 and 288 timetables there are no late or even Sunday workings on either routes, the late workings on 88/288 which interworked with each other were actually dropped as 88 especially wasn't picking up between Altrincham & Wilmslow and you could do the full route in the evening at times without picking a soul up.
Regarding 397 this is an interesting one as I wonder who's got that tender (that's indeed if its actually been awarded). It was only actually introduced to cover part of the former 396 route that became unserved when the 396 was recently revised to operate between Middleton & Ashton and residents lodged a complaint that they were then without a bus service.
(09/02/2021 06:59)M60lad Wrote: [ -> ]Regarding the 88 announcement just to clear things up the way things are at the moment and have been for a while according to both 88 and 288 timetables there are no late or even Sunday workings on either routes, the late workings on 88/288 which interworked with each other were actually dropped as 88 especially wasn't picking up between Altrincham & Wilmslow and you could do the full route in the evening at times without picking a soul up.
Regarding 397 this is an interesting one as I wonder who's got that tender (that's indeed if its actually been awarded). It was only actually introduced to cover part of the former 396 route that became unserved when the 396 was recently revised to operate between Middleton & Ashton and residents lodged a complaint that they were then without a bus service.
397 was a temp route until they could extend the 151 so they have not lost it but been joined to the 151.
I could of seen them Extending it to Tameside Hospital mind you
(09/02/2021 06:59)M60lad Wrote: [ -> ]Regarding the 88 announcement just to clear things up the way things are at the moment and have been for a while according to both 88 and 288 timetables there are no late or even Sunday workings on either routes, the late workings on 88/288 which interworked with each other were actually dropped as 88 especially wasn't picking up between Altrincham & Wilmslow and you could do the full route in the evening at times without picking a soul up.
If you look at the 88 loadings on the Knutsford-Wilmslow-Altrincham service there's more people travelling into Wilmslow from the Chorley direction, than the Morley Green direction. Yet the evening and Sunday service didn't go beyond Wilmslow station, it also wasn't well advertised. The 288 was reduced to 2 hourly in the evenings and on Sundays because it wasn't that well used and then it didn't make sense to have a bus sat at Altrincham doing nothing for an hour.
According to a post on another forum Chris Almond from D&G has said they are continuing to run the 88 timetable with the exception of the short journeys which haven't operated since last April, which are the ones Go Goodwins are taking on. I can't see the weekday evening return working between Wilmslow and Altrincham being well used, even with better publicity considering D&G Returns and Weeklies won't be valid on it and pass holders probably won't be out at that kind of time.