I rode Dart 31 on route 276 today. It still had its Travel London fleetnumber DP114 inside and, as evidently usual for M Travel, had not been refurbished.
As they were changing drivers at Stretford, the original driver had a smoke whilst waiting for the next driver. An 8-minute delay is minor compared to the Diamond 278 that didn't turn up. However, although the driver was as near the bus as he could be without being inside, I could smell a bit of his cig even seating near the rear. The replacement driver was wearing jeans and trainers.
I resisted any temptation to stay on to Barlow Mill Road and got off at Chorlton. I looked forward to the greater professionalism of Stagecoach and most other operators!
MCT are taking over route 418 from M Travel on July 22nd.
M travel have cancelled all their Service Bus Registrations today.
Quote:PC1048669/77Cancelled
M TRAVEL MINIBUSES LTD
Route:Oldham Bus Station to Oldham Bus Station via Royal Oldham Hospital, Chadderton
Service number:406 ()
Service type:Normal Stopping
Effective date:28 Apr 2019
PC1048669/56Cancelled
M TRAVEL MINIBUSES LTD
Route:Trafford General Hospital to Gorse Hill via Humphrey Park Station, Stretfor Arndale Centre
Service number:277 ()
Service type:Hail & Ride, Normal Stopping
Effective date:28 Apr 2019
PC1048669/55Cancelled
M TRAVEL MINIBUSES LTD
Route:Withington Hospital, Nell Lane to Trafford General Hospital via Chorlton Green
Service number:276 ()
Service type:Normal Stopping
Effective date:28 Apr 2019
PC1048669/90Cancelled
M TRAVEL MINIBUSES LTD
Route:Withington Hospital to Trafford General Hospital via Chorlton Morrisons, Stretford Arndale
Service number:276 ()
Service type:Hail & Ride, Normal Stopping
Effective date:28 Apr 2019
PC1048669/88Cancelled
M TRAVEL MINIBUSES LTD
Route:North Manchester General Hospital to ASDA Pilsworth via Prestwich
Service number:94 ()
Service type:Normal Stopping
Effective date:28 Apr 2019
(13/03/2019 16:41)Nwales Bus Wrote: [ -> ]M travel have cancelled all their Service Bus Registrations today.
don't know about the others but 406 is losing its funding from TfGM
Maybe for some of the Trafford ones, a chance for Diamond North West who has spare space at Eccles depot to expand as they complement what they already have in Trafford, unless as Northern Counties state, TfGM is no longer funding them because of budget constraints.
(13/03/2019 20:35)NorthernCounties Wrote: [ -> ]don't know about the others but 406 is losing its funding from TfGM
Combination of tender withdrawals, amalgamation s and loss to another operator. From memory, 94 is purely the latter but can't remember who has won it
(13/03/2019 21:24)gilesbus1 Wrote: [ -> ]Maybe for some of the Trafford ones, a chance for Diamond North West who has spare space at Eccles depot to expand as they complement what they already have in Trafford, unless as Northern Counties state, TfGM is no longer funding them because of budget constraints.
Unless there was a late amendment the Trafford services are being replaced by a combination of other changes and primarily the new 84/a (which another poster suggests goodwins have registered??)
(13/03/2019 16:41)Nwales Bus Wrote: [ -> ]M travel have cancelled all their Service Bus Registrations today.
They haven't cancelled ALL their services they still operate a number of schools for TFGM.
(13/03/2019 22:13)djb Wrote: [ -> ]Unless there was a late amendment the Trafford services are being replaced by a combination of other changes and primarily the new 84/a (which another poster suggests goodwins have registered??)
To which is a puzzle, Goodwins when they sold routes at Eccles said it was because they were unsure of the Mayors plans to re-regulate buses, and thought it might effect them, by this move presumably they must think its some time away, or they believe that it won't happen, but based on council backing from the 10 authorities to re-regulate and the mood of the local public to re-regulate, for it not to happen seems unlikely. So why re-register to run service work now?
(13/03/2019 23:35)gilesbus1 Wrote: [ -> ]To which is a puzzle, Goodwins when they sold routes at Eccles said it was because they were unsure of the Mayors plans to re-regulate buses, and thought it might effect them, by this move presumably they must think its some time away, or they believe that it won't happen, but based on council backing from the 10 authorities to re-regulate and the mood of the local public to re-regulate, for it not to happen seems unlikely. So why re-register to run service work now?
Public opinion is totally irrelevant. If Grayling doesn't want it it won't happen.