Very interesting.
Rosso seem to be performing a lot better than FirstBus on the 469's that go to Rochdale, as Rosso offer a 15 minute combined frequency along with the 468. First didn't respond at all to this attack, to be fair First should have increased the frequency a years ago to every 20 mins (3 extensions from Jericho), but didn't.
The 472/474 looks a bit different, First offers twice as many buses an hour.
It would be ideal if the ex-Reading Scania-Solars are the priority for Rosso journeys on routes 472 and 474! Also, I hope the elderly Darts on route 480 are finally replaced this year.
I went to Rawtenstall, Bury and Bolton today. The 472/474s are indeed ex-Reading Scanias for many journeys! I rode 5 Rosso buses as follows:-
Volvo B7TL 101 on route 483
Volvo B7TL 103 on route 484
Scania-Solar 129 on route 464
Dart-EL 140 on route 465
Solo 53 on route 477
Rosso did seem more noticeable in Bury than before.
The 472/4 mainly use Scania's in the daytime but frequently use B7TL's (Presidents and EL bodied 102) in the evenings, I once saw MCV bodied MAN 259 run in the evening.
Does anyone know if 259 is going for repaint soon? It would look cool if all 3 Stirling's where in each variation of the new livery.
I haven't seen any of the 3 Stirling's recently, have they been sold/scrapped or are they only being used on school buses again?
(23/03/2014 20:39)VolvoB10M Wrote: [ -> ]I haven't seen any of the 3 Stirling's recently, have they been sold/scrapped or are they only being used on school buses again?
Still going one was working the 480 the other day
Has anyone ever seen 104 in public service? I've only seen it on school duties.
Does anyone know if 135 has been withdrawn or not? I think it could possibly be the last Dart that has the traditional combination of Cummins 6BT and the louder Alison transmission that still runs in Greater Manchester. The other being First 40416 (which I've not been on but heard it from the outside) which seems to be running on borrowed time, and also First's Pointer/Marshall Darts if there are any left.
Details of Rosso changes for July sees the 274 withdrawn, while the 480 will no longer serve Bolton.
Notable changes are:
*274: Withdrawn
*455: Sunday journeys operated by Rosso, running every 60-70 mins.
*458: Mon-Sat evening journey withdrawn
*468: No longer serves Fairfield Hospital grounds
*478: Withdrawn
*480: Service to run circular route from Bury via Tottington, Walves, Holcombe Brook and back to Bury. Bradshaw and Bolton no longer served
http://www.tfgm.com/buses/Pages/service_changes.aspx