First Manchester

[Scania3379man]

RE: First Manchester

(26/10/2012 07:57)thomasl1231 Wrote:  31932, 31926 and 31946 are all on the 658 one after the other (in that order) this morning. 34028 was also on a college run in Wigan, along with 34294 on the 610.

Also saw 621 were on Olympian is 34291 today.

Martyn

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester

(25/10/2012 22:54)Mayneway Wrote:  They have rolled out adverts on local radio today too, heard it several times, although the first time I heard it while driving to work I had to giggle to myself. The bit about the modern passenger friendly buses got me. I'm sure First are wearing Rose tinted glasses if they think Arrows and Olympians are passenger friendly.

And the bit about reliable was another one - wasn't that long ago First were fined for the fact they were so unreliable lol.

I've caught the advert on the radio too and also must admit I couldn't keep a straight face. There's a few billboard ads too. Spotted one on Oldham Road in Miles Platting.

Meanwhile, a thought regarding the 18 extension. Does anybody know or seen any route learning going on by First drivers for the south Manchester section of the route? I know that Stagecoach did route learning in the run-up to the 50 extension to Salford Quays.

[Mayneway]

RE: First Manchester

(25/10/2012 18:37)SF07 Wrote:  Advert in the Manchester Evening News today saying that there will be a free ticket offer in tomorrow's paper for First bus. Not sure what kind of ticket offer it is though. Whatever the offer is, it'll be more value for money if you get the free edition in the city centre.

It's essentially a token for a free First Day ticket. You cut it out, fill in your name and address and present it to the driver who will exchange it for a first day.
The only T&C is that it must be used between 26th Oct and 2nd Nov so not the greatest of windows.

Bet that's costing a few bob

[P528LND]

RE: First Manchester

(26/10/2012 18:20)SF07 Wrote:  Does anybody know or seen any route learning going on by First drivers for the south Manchester section of the route? I know that Stagecoach did route learning in the run-up to the 50 extension to Salford Quays.

They'll do it last minute, as usual.

[Nicholas]

RE: First Manchester

(27/10/2012 00:23)P528LND Wrote:  

(26/10/2012 18:20)SF07 Wrote:  Does anybody know or seen any route learning going on by First drivers for the south Manchester section of the route?

They'll do it last minute, as usual.

I saw a training bus on Wilmslow Road on 28 October doing route learning.

[motormayhem]

RE: First Manchester

(26/10/2012 22:46)Mayneway Wrote:  

(25/10/2012 18:37)SF07 Wrote:  Advert in the Manchester Evening News today saying that there will be a free ticket offer in tomorrow's paper for First bus. Not sure what kind of ticket offer it is though. Whatever the offer is, it'll be more value for money if you get the free edition in the city centre.

It's essentially a token for a free First Day ticket. You cut it out, fill in your name and address and present it to the driver who will exchange it for a first day.
The only T&C is that it must be used between 26th Oct and 2nd Nov so not the greatest of windows.

Bet that's costing a few bob

arriva do this round the northwest but witha mixture of both free day and weekley tickets by giving it to the driver and these vouchers have valid date of about 3 or 4 months.

[P528LND]

RE: First Manchester

(27/10/2012 08:13)Nicholas Wrote:  I saw a training bus on Wilmslow Road on 28 October doing route learning.

A year early?! That's good for them, though I expect you meant September

[Nicholas]

RE: First Manchester
Erm... that's what I meant

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester
New page on the First website for the extended 18 service with the caption 'Get connected across Manchester'.

The cheap day/weekly/monthly tickets that were introduced in competition to JPT's 17 route will be valid on the whole of the 18 route, meaning day tickets at £2.50, weekly tickets at £9 and monthly tickets at £30 for anyone travelling along Wilmslow Road between Rusholme and city centre. Child day ticket is £1.25 and weekly is £4.50

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/greater_...connected/

Mixture of buses were on the 425 yesterday with B7RLEs, Enviros and Citaros on the route. One of the new B9TLs was running on the 81 yesterday. A B7RLE (69205) was out on the 184 to Uppermill this morning.

Also, with the clocks going back this morning, I was wondering how the night buses worked last night, as I heard a First driver informing a couple of passengers on the 180 last night that the night bus 82 service would leave Manchester at 0030, 0130 and 0230. I'm guessing the 0130 journey leaves at 0130 BST and the 0230 journey leave at 0130 GMT.

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester
A few photos from Flickr of the 18 on its first day south of the city:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/psbusdriver/8131739631/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/psbusdriver/8131689240/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/psbusdriver/8131980697/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/psbusdriver/8131899957/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/psbusdriver/8131837770/