First Manchester

[james]

RE: First Manchester

(10/02/2014 23:16)John I Wrote:  

(08/02/2014 11:27)SF07 Wrote:  http://www.flickr.com/photos/tanvirspics/12367461584/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/94572590@N02/12363560334/
http://www.flickr.com/photos/81788292@N07/12363336815/

Signs on the two Finglands buses that I travelled on today said welcome to First, plus in addition on hire to First Manchester.

afaik the finglands original fleet will go back to eyms eventually (or some of it will) thus why the on loan stickers the buses stay until firsts replacement buses arrive from wherever

[WWH44L]

RE: First Manchester
[/quote]
A First single decker in 'old livery' parked up in Rusholme depot this morning, unable to see fleet number.
[/quote]

Probably trainer B10B 60301 from Bury.

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester

(12/02/2014 20:33)acocker96 Wrote:  How long does it take to get to Radcliffe from Piccadilly on the 135?

135 doesn't go to Radcliffe. Closest place would be Whitefield or Bury.

The 98 runs from Radcliffe to Shudehill Interchange with journey times of around 45 mins. Or you can change at Whitefield from the 98 to the 135 to head to Piccadilly Gardens.

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester

(13/02/2014 13:53)WWH44L Wrote:  

(12/02/2014 23:00)John I Wrote:  A First single decker in 'old livery' parked up in Rusholme depot this morning, unable to see fleet number.

Probably trainer B10B 60301 from Bury.

It is 60301, found this on Flickr:



http://www.flickr.com/photos/dg11061959/12438755104/

(13/02/2014 12:42)YSV-205 Wrote:  Has anyone seen First's own buses operating any of the ex Finglands routes yet? If so what route(s)?

Not seen any First buses operating any Finglands service yet when travelling on Wilmslow Road. Have seen photos of drivers using the Streetlites for training purposes. I would imagine that if it's not next week, it'll probably the following week when we start seeing First vehicles in service.

[acocker96]

RE: First Manchester

(13/02/2014 20:18)SF07 Wrote:  

(12/02/2014 20:33)acocker96 Wrote:  How long does it take to get to Radcliffe from Piccadilly on the 135?

135 doesn't go to Radcliffe. Closest place would be Whitefield or Bury.

The 98 runs from Radcliffe to Shudehill Interchange with journey times of around 45 mins. Or you can change at Whitefield from the 98 to the 135 to head to Piccadilly Gardens.

What model of bus is used on the 98?

[joe_alker]

RE: First Manchester
Why do First Pioneer insist on using the smallest buses in their fleet for the 8.30am 393, which is the busiest of the day? 31929 from the 8.00am departure went onto the 39 for 8.30, and left almost empty, whilst 40324 left on the 393 packed. Can someone please explain?

[james]

RE: First Manchester

(14/02/2014 16:59)joe_alker Wrote:  Why do First Pioneer insist on using the smallest buses in their fleet for the 8.30am 393, which is the busiest of the day? 31929 from the 8.00am departure went onto the 39 for 8.30, and left almost empty, whilst 40324 left on the 393 packed. Can someone please explain?

unfortunately is a case of nearest the gate atm with b7s off and certain others

[joe_alker]

RE: First Manchester

(14/02/2014 17:02)james Wrote:  

(14/02/2014 16:59)joe_alker Wrote:  Why do First Pioneer insist on using the smallest buses in their fleet for the 8.30am 393, which is the busiest of the day? 31929 from the 8.00am departure went onto the 39 for 8.30, and left almost empty, whilst 40324 left on the 393 packed. Can someone please explain?

unfortunately is a case of nearest the gate atm with b7s off and certain others

Still doesn't explain the swap between 31929 and 40324 at the worst time possible. And I didn't know pioneer had any B7s?

[Mayneway]

RE: First Manchester

(14/02/2014 16:59)joe_alker Wrote:  Why do First Pioneer insist on using the smallest buses in their fleet for the 8.30am 393, which is the busiest of the day? 31929 from the 8.00am departure went onto the 39 for 8.30, and left almost empty, whilst 40324 left on the 393 packed. Can someone please explain?

I share your amazement Joe.
Watched one of the ADL Darts on the 350 yesterday afternoon leave Ashton full to bursting then shortly afterwards a B9 on one of the Ashton Circulars left with all of 5 passengers on board.
You complain and don't even get a reply.

I really do think First need to take a leaf out of Stagecoach's book. They seem to respond to overcrowding using larger vehicles instead.

I notice the First inspector seems to disappear at peak as well.

[joe_alker]

RE: First Manchester

(14/02/2014 19:08)Mayneway Wrote:  

(14/02/2014 16:59)joe_alker Wrote:  Why do First Pioneer insist on using the smallest buses in their fleet for the 8.30am 393, which is the busiest of the day? 31929 from the 8.00am departure went onto the 39 for 8.30, and left almost empty, whilst 40324 left on the 393 packed. Can someone please explain?

I share your amazement Joe.
Watched one of the ADL Darts on the 350 yesterday afternoon leave Ashton full to bursting then shortly afterwards a B9 on one of the Ashton Circulars left with all of 5 passengers on board.
You complain and don't even get a reply.

I really do think First need to take a leaf out of Stagecoach's book. They seem to respond to overcrowding using larger vehicles instead.

I notice the First inspector seems to disappear at peak as well.

Most Stagecoach services use Enviro400s, which is probably one of the best things about stagecoach. However, Pioneer doesn't seem to have an abundance of double-deckers, despite the fact that 90% of their services could use/have used double-deckers at some point - bar the 41 and 419 tendered services. They could really benefit from a larger double-deck fleet.