Stagecoach Manchester

[WhiteVanMan]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester

(04/08/2013 09:37)M60lad Wrote:  181/2 used to be operated by GMBuses Rochdale Depot (the now Ron Chalker factory) then when Rochdale Depot closed they were transferred and operated by Hyde Road Depot for a quite a number of years after that until Stagecoach took over GMBuses South, then for a brief period of time (A couple of years I think it was) it was operated out of Stagecoach's Chadderton outstation, as for Bluebird operating the route, I seem to remember both Bluebird and First Manchester taking over the route when it was relinquished by Stagecoach Manchester with both operators (First and Bluebird) both running to Rochdale, then Bluebird pulled the Rochdale section and only ran theirs 181/2s as far as Shaw Wrens Nest, then eventually they came off 181/2s altogether and left it to First to run the whole route Manchester-Rochdale, and come this September another change is set to happen with First set to cut the route so that it only runs from Manchester-Shaw Wren's Nest due to the Metrolink now open between Shaw & Rochdale

If I remember correctly, in the late 80's there used to be three depots in Rochdale, GMPTE, Bee Line Buzz Co, and Rossendale Transport.

When the GMPTE depot closed, the operations were divided between Bury, Oldham, and Hyde Road. My in-laws live at Heywood.

Bee Line Buzz Co, was taken-over by stagecoach own Ribble Motors, the operations moved to a site in Ashton (just around the corner from the current depot at Ashton), the operations were later sold Finglands. I also seem to remember there being some sort of depot or out station at Bredbury. If anybody got any photos of Bee Line, Ribble or Stagecoach buses in Rochdale area from the 80's, I would be interested in see them.