First Manchester

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester

(05/07/2013 22:49)Polo Mint Wrote:  Some interesting changes.

I expected changes to the 18, fortunately no severe cuts, for now at least. I noticed that most people seem to use the route to get to the Hospital/Universities/Colleges etc and tend to get on earlier on the route or connect from other services at Shudehill and it doesn't seem to go deep enough into Rusholme to attract many residents there. Do any services currently operate into the Hospital grounds? I can't recall any that do.

Why don't they operate the X35 as a proper service? It may steal customers from the tram. I have always thought a Ramsbottom service that goes up to Edenfield then operates down the M66 would be popular.

Good to see the reduced fares having a positive impact on passenger numbers.

The 147, operated by Bullocks, runs into Manchester Royal Infirmary grounds. Not sure if the 18 will replicate the 147 route when it changes the route next month.

First did run a full X35 service with off-peak and Saturday journeys running every 30 mins. However, I think a combination of the more frequent 135 and tram services killed that off in the end. A faster bus link to Bury would be good though.