Forum | Merseyside Dennis Dart Website

(20/12/2012 23:16)Mayneway Wrote: [ -> ]

(20/12/2012 21:16)P528LND Wrote: [ -> ]I'm pretty sure School Services require enough seats for each child and none are really supposed to stand... I am not sure on this but I've definitely read it somewhere...

It was certainly the case when I was at school (10 years ago ).

Ah, well with the Harrytown 845 service the bus is packed to the brim and people usually have to stand along the stairs and front steps of the (usual) Olympian ._.

Details of proposed changes in January in the TfGMC meeting on 4 January:

*12/25/26 - Re-routed via Salford Shopping Centre (comes in at the roundabout at the top, down Hankinson Way, turns around and heads back up to the A6.
*92-94 - 94 withdrawn and replaced by service 92, to provide a Mon-Sat daytime service via Pilsworth. 93 route to/from Whitefield Morrisons restored during the daytime.
*100 - Journeys that terminate at Irlam will be extended to Cadishead, terminating at The Vista pub.
*512/513/516/584 - First to give up the contracts for these services by mutual agreement. Buses to return to TfGM and pass on to new (as of yet unknown) operator. 512/513 also re-routed between Farnworth and Bolton.

http://www.transportforgreatermanchester...nuary_2013

It is clear to me that the 516 and 517 routes are to be absorbed into the 126 which has been extended.

Glad to see the back of those green hybrids on the evening 12, can get very busy at times and very cramped on them

(22/12/2012 11:50)P528LND Wrote: [ -> ]It is clear to me that the 516 and 517 routes are to be absorbed into the 126 which has been extended.

I think the 126 extension is only the weekday daytime service (maybe Saturday daytime too). At the moment, the evening and Sunday service will run as 516 (unless TfGM decide to re-number it 126 in line with the SLT change).

Sorry if this is a stupid question, but why on earth would First give up routes like the 512 and 513 after they have recently been awarded them and are getting paid by TfGM to operate them?

(23/12/2012 14:12)Polo Mint Wrote: [ -> ]Sorry if this is a stupid question, but why on earth would First give up routes like the 512 and 513 after they have recently been awarded them and are getting paid by TfGM to operate them?

After reading the TfGMC documents, I'm wondering whether TfGM aren't happy with First's reliability on the route and have cancelled the contract with them to give another company a chance. 516/584 Sunday daytime service also up for grabs, so may have also been part of that contract.

Certainly got plenty of choice for a replacement operator for those services with Rossendalebus, Maytree, Arriva, SLT and maybe even Stagecoach.

From what I have been told, First handed them back in as they weren't happy about not being able to keep to time.

First have put up full PDF timetables for their services during the Christmas period for its services at Bolton, Bury and Queens Road depots (nothing for Oldham or Tameside depots). By looking at the timetables, it suggests that Bury depot will be closed on Boxing Day and services in the area split between Bolton and Manchester depots.

For Boxing Day, Bolton depot will run the 8, 36, 37, 68, 135, 163, 471 and 582 services, which may mean the possibility of Enviros being used on the 135, 163 or 471. Queens Road will run 17, 18, 26, 93, 98, 100 and Metroshuttle 1 & 2.

This should mean that Oldham depot will open on Boxing Day for the first time this year, as the 82 and 184 had previously operated from Queens Road. Oldham depot will run the 59, 81A, 83, 184 and 409. However, I'm not sure why First chose to use the 81A number instead of 81, as Traveline website previous had the 81A running to/from Waterhead on Boxing Day, now it's just Oldham-Manchester, like the 59, 83 and 184 will.

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/greater_...941&conf=0

Speaking of the 81A, I do wonder whether First should re-program its destination displays, as I caught a bit of a discussion between a driver and two passengers about where the 81A goes (think they were trying to get to Holts) and they were a bit confused with the 81A having Oldham Holts Estate on the front and Oldham/Waterhead on the side. Also, the 81A does have 'via Moston, Chadderton' on the side, which, even though it is strictly true (south Chadderton), it may also catch a few people out hoping to go towards Middleton Road and Asda.

(24/12/2012 18:10)SF07 Wrote: [ -> ]which may mean the possibility of Enviros being used on the 135, 163 or 471.

I doubt it. If it is anything like Stagecoach, what you may find is that Bury depots wishing to work on Boxing Day will work out of Bolton, so I would imagine that those drivers would use what they are familiar with, namely B7RLEs and B9TLs.