(25/11/2020 17:25)WWH44L Wrote: [ -> ]Pretty sure 40705 is back from it's upper deck rebuild. Saw it on Manchester Rd, Bolton earlier. Too dark to see full registration but pretty sure it's was said bus. Looked shiny and still had full white destination screens all round whereas all the other have been swapped to orange.
Also brand new 40794 is another 471 branded vehicle.
I did see one of them with the white screens today.
According to Bus Times 40705 hasnt tracked since 7 June when it was allegedly on 37.
Other news from Diamond is that apparently Eccles are running 607 Ashton-in-Makerfield Circular and this past week Mellor Sprinter 21200 has been regularly used on the service with a Solo taking its place on 217 and before anyone queries this I've checked Bus Times and it shows the first working leaving Eccles Depot in the morning and running via M62/M6 to get to Ashton.
The only services Bolton Depot operate in Wigan area now are 635 Wigan-Apperley Bridge and the evening/late 575 Bolton-Wigan routes.
(26/11/2020 07:22)M60lad Wrote: [ -> ]According to Bus Times 40705 hasnt tracked since 7 June when it was allegedly on 37.
Other news from Diamond is that apparently Eccles are running 607 Ashton-in-Makerfield Circular and this past week Mellor Sprinter 21200 has been regularly used on the service with a Solo taking its place on 217 and before anyone queries this I've checked Bus Times and it shows the first working leaving Eccles Depot in the morning and running via M62/M6 to get to Ashton.
The only services Bolton Depot operate in Wigan area now are 635 Wigan-Apperley Bridge and the evening/late 575 Bolton-Wigan routes.
Tbh, don’t think Bus Times is too reliable. Newbies 40790/1/3 which are 471 branded are out and about in service now but not tracking as of yet.
The 607 is a Solo for the first time in a few days.
(26/11/2020 08:17)WWH44L Wrote: [ -> ]Tbh, don’t think Bus Times is too reliable. Newbies 40790/1/3 which are 471 branded are out and about in service now but not tracking as of yet.
When I first started in IT 43 years ago, we used the acronym GIGO (Garbage in - garbage out) to justify the fact that the computer isn't to blame for most failures, rather the data provided is at fault.
So it is with bustimes. Because it depends on the ticket machine to provide the data, and ticket machines are programmed manually then interchanged between vehicles, that element of reporting is never going to be perfect.
Remember that it's primarily intended for Mrs.Smith at the bus stop to check where her bus is now. She doesn't much care which bus it is ! The enthusiast spin-offs are only secondary.
(19/11/2020 09:50)pete tierney Wrote: [ -> ]20185 is currently showing on Bus Times as operating in the W Mids. I know it could be just a ticket machine showing though.
Their are 3 now in use at Eccles 20185 BX70GHG, 20187 BX70GHH and 20188 BX70GHJ
Wright Meridian 30535 and Volvo B9TL 40625 are now operating out of Preston. The Meridian has recently been repainted.
Not to sure but according to Bustimes Wright Streetdeck 40715 is now at Preston last tracked on 27 November though so it might have left the fleet now.
Other news is that Diamond Northwest Streetdeck 40700 has now been repainted partly into fleet livery at the front with the rest of the bus in an advert livery for charity Once Upon a Smile which Diamond Northwest are going to be in partnership with from next year.
Diamond Bus the latest operator to stop selling the getmethere weekly ticket via contactless payment, from 14 December. Following in the footsteps of First and Go North West.
Quote:Suspending Contactless Payments for Smartcards
From Monday 14th December, we will be suspending the contactless payments for the GMT 7 Day anybus smartcard ticket on our buses.
Due to organised criminal activity within Greater Manchester, which is generating fraudulent transactions across all bus operators in the region we are temporarily withdrawing the contactless payment option on this ticket for on bus purchases.
These smartcard tickets are still available for cash from our driver, but please make sure you have the correct money for your ticket, as we are still unable to give change due to COVID-19 restrictions.
You’ll still be able to pay with contactless for any other tickets and alternative Diamond Bus tickets can still be purchased via our Diamond Bus app.
Did you know, anybus weekly tickets are available from TfGM travel shops and also PayPoint – find your nearest location here: https://consumer.paypoint.com/cashout
We will review this policy in due course and will reinstate the payment option as soon as possible.
https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/suspen...martcards/
Noticed that Bolton vehicles are on the 126/132 today is it now a Bolton route or are they just on loan?