First Manchester

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester

(24/06/2012 15:41)Mayneway Wrote:  409's were caught up in the procession today as the torch travelled from Oldham to Ashton along Oldham Road at around 10am this morning. I walked into Ashton at around 11.30 and 409's were still coming down Oldham Rd in groups of 3 or 4 buses [this is quite normal on a weekday], most immediatly left the bus station not in service.

Interestingly there was a First Inspector [former driver with clipboard and inspectors hi-viz vest] in Ashton bus station dealing with the 409's. Normally very rare to see anyone 'official' on a Sunday there.

Most of the other Pioneer services ran as normal using the new bypass instead of Penny Meadow as the torch travelled through Ashton town centre.

It took a while for Oldham buses to recover after the torch relay through the town. Notice immediately after the torch relay past Ashton Road, a 184 was running 20-25 mins late down Copster Hill Road. Heard somebody complain later to a 83 driver that they'd been waiting for an hour for a 184 in Manchester.

Interesting mix of buses on the 12 today with the hybrids and the newly painted B9TLs appearing on the route. Also saw 37390 out on the 36 in the new livery. Bolton buses still waiting the branding though.