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RE: First Manchester - Y458 KNF - 10/05/2020 15:37
(10/05/2020 01:51)Mrboo Wrote: So reading the PDF in 2021 they have to replace all buses.
Im guessing that TfGM will retender it when the current fleet is replaced next year it makes sence to due to the uncertanty with First running it.
RE: First Manchester - Mrboo - 10/05/2020 17:22
That if First is willing to take a break of contact fine as it was for 10 years what we don't know is the tender making a profit if so there no reason for First to give it up.
RE: First Manchester - NorthernCounties - 11/05/2020 18:09
(09/05/2020 18:47)Metroline1511 Wrote: This Wiki page suggests it is a 10-year contract, which having started in April 2016 would be due for renewal in 2026. However, the TfGM page makes no evident mention of how long the contract is for.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Leigh-Salford-Manchester_Bus_Rapid_Transit
https://assets.ctfassets.net/nv7y93idf4jq/2eVB24I2YM26GOYuQCscEw/cb7aba39b13f7eaa4a12c23cf251376f/TfGM_Ultra_Low_Emission_Bus_Scheme_Bid_Submission.pdf
Don't pay much attention to wiki pages. They can be changed and modified very easily and often full of lies
RE: First Manchester - Citibus - 12/05/2020 10:06
(11/05/2020 18:09)NorthernCounties Wrote: Don't pay much attention to wiki pages. They can be changed and modified very easily and often full of lies
Oh i agree with you on wiki pages! However the information above has become a bit confused.
According to the linked TfGM application to Dept of Transport; the contract with First *is* 10 years and the whole Vantage fleet *isn't* being replaced - only 5 diesel buses are replaced by 10 electric buses.
Busway (Vantage)
The Busway services are currently operated by First Manchester from its Bolton busdepot. The current contract is for 10 years ending in 2026. Busway is a high specification GM service which utilises a guided busway for a portion of the routeand it is a contractual requirement to replace all buses on the route which have reached an age of five years.This bid is the first step towards achieving a fully electric Busway fleet and will involve the replacement of five buses which operate on the route and the introduction of an additional five buses to increase capacity at peak times. The five new buses will take the size of the vantage fleet to 30 buses, all of which will be operated by First Manchester.
RE: First Manchester - Y458 KNF - 12/05/2020 14:55
(12/05/2020 10:06)Citibus Wrote: Oh i agree with you on wiki pages! However the information above has become a bit confused.
According to the linked TfGM application to Dept of Transport; the contract with First *is* 10 years and the whole Vantage fleet *isn't* being replaced - only 5 diesel buses are replaced by 10 electric buses.
Busway (Vantage)
The Busway services are currently operated by First Manchester from its Bolton busdepot. The current contract is for 10 years ending in 2026. Busway is a high specification GM service which utilises a guided busway for a portion of the routeand it is a contractual requirement to replace all buses on the route which have reached an age of five years.This bid is the first step towards achieving a fully electric Busway fleet and will involve the replacement of five buses which operate on the route and the introduction of an additional five buses to increase capacity at peak times. The five new buses will take the size of the vantage fleet to 30 buses, all of which will be operated by First Manchester.
I think the 10 electirc buses will allow the 5 emergancy spares to go back to non Vantage work since TfGM dont like them being in Olympia livery.
RE: First Manchester - Mrboo - 19/05/2020 15:18
Following recent guidance from the Government I want to update you on what we’re doing to keep our services running for essential travel and key workers. I also want to share the changes we’re making to keep customers and colleagues safe whilst on board, and the steps you can take to help everyone travel safely.
Keeping Everyone Safe
First Bus has responded to government advice to enable social distancing on public transport and with immediate effect you’ll start to notice additional steps being taken to ensure a safe journey for everyone.
Our buses will be operating at a reduced capacity with around 1 in 4 seats being available. The Government has advised that people only make essential journeys and where possible travel off peak to avoid busy times, but you still may see ‘Bus Full’ signs as some services reach their revised capacity more quickly.
Occasionally a bus may not stop, most likely as it has reached its reduced seating capacity. If the bus does stop, but is near capacity, the driver will only allow one person to board for every person that gets off, so you may need to allow extra time for your journey and be prepared to wait.
In addition, you will also see further measures in place to help enable you to comply with social distancing guidelines. These include:
New capacity signs by the entrance of each bus
Seat signs and stickers to clearly show where you should and shouldn't sit to maintain a safe distance
Reminders to be considerate of other passengers
No longer allowing standing
What can you do to stay safe?
You can help us by changing your behaviour in line with the reduced capacity. This might include:
Only travelling by bus if your journey is essential
Planning your travel in advance, avoiding peak periods
Wearing a face covering when on board
Sitting in a window seat, leaving an empty row of seats in front and behind
On our double deckers, consider sitting upstairs (if you are able)
Paying with contactless or purchasing your ticket in advance on our App
Using the correct change if you must pay by cash
No longer eating or drinking whilst on board
Leaving windows open to aid ventilation
Keeping you informed and updated
We are working hard to ensure that our website, social media feeds and colleagues are updated with the latest information, as quickly as possible.
Our telephone lines remain open if you do need to talk to us. Our operating hours are 9am-5pm Monday to Friday. Outside of these hours you can contact us via the contact form on our website. Our team will be monitoring Twitter at the weekends between 9am and 5pm and on weekdays between 7am and 7pm.
Thank you for your ongoing support.
Stay safe,
Giles Fearnley
Managing Director, First Bus
RE: First Manchester - Mrboo - 21/05/2020 00:38
First Bus is to introduce measures to ensure that social distancing guidelines can be adhered to across its operation via work that includes a passenger counting facility to allow reduced capacity limits to be observed.
Passengers will be directed to use only seats that are an appropriate distance from each other. That will reduce the capacity of each bus by 75%. Those positions will be clearly marked on all of First’s vehicles by Monday 25 May.
Passenger counting functionality is being delivered by Ticketer. Within days, the facility will be added to ticket machines used by First. Drivers will count passengers on and off, and the machine will advise them what, if any, capacity remains available.
When no more useable seats are free, the destination display will be changed by the driver to show ‘Sorry, bus full’. Ticketer will have delivered the passenger counting function in less than two weeks since conversations began.
First says it is monitoring passenger data and will provide double-deckers on the busiest journeys where possible. In the short term it has duplicate buses that can be added where appropriate. It expects to add more services to existing timetables soon.
Says FirstGroup Chief Information Office Dave Lynch: “Since the government’s announcements last week, we have been working round the clock to fund way to innovate so that on our buses we can ensure safe, socially distanced space for our passengers.
“We are immensely proud that we have been able to develop this new system so quickly with Ticketer, empowering our drivers to be able to manage the capacity of each bus. We fully support the government’s guidelines and urge passengers to only travel if their journey is essential.”
Adds Ticketer CEO John Clarfelt: “We are once again delighted to be working closely with First Bus in developing this ground-breaking technology. It will be vital for drivers as the number of passengers using buses over the coming weeks increases.”
RE: First Manchester - Mrboo - 26/05/2020 13:02
So Vantage has limit of just 16 passagers as it on the next bus info
RE: First Manchester - M60lad - 27/05/2020 06:27
One question I've got is why haven't First increased any of their services this week like what Diamond and Go Northwest have done unless their waiting to see the result of the Lockdown review on Thursday and what Boris says this time round.
With shops being allowed to open from the middle of next month and more people getting to work their going to have to do something shortly.
RE: First Manchester - T42 PVM - 27/05/2020 07:39
Until most shops reopen on 15th June you should be alright with the current frequency on routes