Further to reports in the Preston Bus thread. I can confirm all white liveried Solo’s KX11EER and KX11EES are operating out of Eccles as of this afternoon, both seen in Altrincham in the last half an hour.
i guess that may be due to repainting of buses?
(08/01/2018 08:58)SLTRegular Wrote: [ -> ]i guess that may be due to repainting of buses?
20663 YN03 NDV ex
B20AEG operating out of Atherton still in orange/Altrincham ice rink colours
and
20880 KY63 VTK from Eccles in allover white seen on Flickr
https://flic.kr/p/22ajPcC
Ex Goodwin OCZ8832 has failed on East Lancs Rd, junction with Green Leach Ln in St Helens
New registrations from Diamond Bus today for services 15, 66, 571/572, 593 and 658.
PC0004417/275 Registered
DIAMOND BUS (NORTH WEST) LIMITED
Route: Bolton Interchange to Bolton Interchange via Great Lever, Lever Edge
Service number: 571 (572)
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 08 Apr 2018
Monday to Saturday
PC0004417/274 Registered
DIAMOND BUS (NORTH WEST) LIMITED
Route: Flixton, Lytham Road to Manchester, Piccadilly Gardens
Service number: 15
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 08 Apr 2018
Monday to Saturday mornings
PC0004417/273 Registered
DIAMOND BUS (NORTH WEST) LIMITED
Route: Eccles Interchange to Clifton Junction Eco Park via Swinton, Worsley
Service number: 66
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 08 Apr 2018
Monday to Saturday.
PC0004417/272 Registered
DIAMOND BUS (NORTH WEST) LIMITED
Route: Wigan, Hall Gate to Higher Folds, Coronation Drive via Leigh
Service number: 658
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 08 Apr 2018
Monday to Sunday evening
PC0004417/271 Registered
DIAMOND BUS (NORTH WEST) LIMITED
Route: Wigan, Dorwing Street to Leigh Bus Station via Hindley
Service number: 593
Service type: Normal Stopping
Effective date: 08 Apr 2018
Monday to Sunday evening
So, Diamond will compete with Vision on routes 571/72 as well as Arriva on 575/76. I wonder what journeys on route 15 are being taken over by Diamond?
I saw 2 white Solo SRs on route 278 this afternoon. Maybe these are the norm on that route now?
(17/02/2018 21:47)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]So, Diamond will compete with Vision on routes 571/72 as well as Arriva on 575/76. I wonder what journeys on route 15 are being taken over by Diamond?
I saw 2 white Solo SRs on route 278 this afternoon. Maybe these are the norm on that route now?
The 15 contract is for additional early morning journeys (one M-F & two Sa iirc). These are appearing on a number of routes into Manchester, as detailed in the GMCA minutes a few weeks back. A bit concerning in a way as GMCA have identified First and Stagecoach's "Manchester-centricity" as one of many reasons Bus Reform is needed, yet here they are subsidising (or facilitating) journeys that have been specifically tailored to stay pretty much within the city boundaries (albeit some serve Trafford destinations).
I tried to ride the 13.25 278 from Albert Square today. The bus stop indicated it due at 13.31, but it never turned up. Thankfully the next bus arrived a few minutes early, offering some reassurance.
That's twice in 2 occasions that I have wanted to use a Diamond bus which has not turned up. Last October the first afternoon 293 was so late that they cancelled it and subsumed it into the next journey. As it then experienced some delays, I commiserate passengers who had a log wait.
I had considered using route 27 too. While this ought not to have cancellations being a TfGM tender, I would not have felt like finding out. As it is, its TfGM Versas replicate others in the area.
Only local users can say whether the service has declined since Rotala took over South Lancs Travel and Go Goodwins.
(24/02/2018 20:35)Metroline1511 Wrote: [ -> ]I tried to ride the 13.25 278 from Albert Square today. The bus stop indicated it due at 13.31, but it never turned up. Thankfully the next bus arrived a few minutes early, offering some reassurance.
That's twice in 2 occasions that I have wanted to use a Diamond bus which has not turned up. Last October the first afternoon 293 was so late that they cancelled it and subsumed it into the next journey. As it then experienced some delays, I commiserate passengers who had a log wait.
I had considered using route 27 too. While this ought not to have cancellations being a TfGM tender, I would not have felt like finding out. As it is, its TfGM Versas replicate others in the area.
Only local users can say whether the service has declined since Rotala took over South Lancs Travel and Go Goodwins.
This is very worrying. 278, 293 and (from memory) all Diamond services away from traditional SLT area, are tendered, so TFGM should be aware of these. There could be many legitimate reasons why the 293 could have problems in the afternoon peak, not least accidents/roadworks etc associated with the M60, M62 and/or M602. However, 278 in the best weather conditions seen on a Saturday in months, seems unforgivable.
I'm a bit confused with you stating 1325 - and more so that the one that did turn up was "early". The 278 is registered at '31 past each hour from Albert Square from mid morning throughout the day.
(24/02/2018 21:34)Brickmill Wrote: [ -> ]This is very worrying. 278, 293 and (from memory) all Diamond services away from traditional SLT area, are tendered, so TFGM should be aware of these. There could be many legitimate reasons why the 293 could have problems in the afternoon peak, not least accidents/roadworks etc associated with the M60, M62 and/or M602. However, 278 in the best weather conditions seen on a Saturday in months, seems unforgivable.
I'm a bit confused with you stating 1325 - and more so that the one that did turn up was "early". The 278 is registered at '31 past each hour from Albert Square from mid morning throughout the day.
The printed timetable I had said 25 past the hour, but the one at the stand said 31. Ironically, I passed up what I thought would be the 10.25 bus as I got off a 42 with insufficient time to spare. I therefore transposed my 15, 278 & maybe 263 rides accordingly.
I don't think the 14.31 bus left early, but it might have arrived early, thereby causing a few last-minute inbound passengers to miss their bus.
From an enthusiast angle, I did still ride exactly the routes I wanted anyway, having built a little slack time into my itinerary.