First Manchester

[Mrboo]

RE: First Manchester
just had a look at address there the main https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...nce/164182
and 6 buses on https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...nce/214854

Operating centre
WALLSHAW STREET, OLDHAM, OL1 3TR, GB 196
BOYLE STREET, CHEETHAM HILL, MANCHESTER, M8 8UT, GB 185
WESTON STREET, BOLTON, BL3 2AW, GB 221
261 WILMSLOW ROAD, RUSHOLME, MANCHESTER, M14 5LJ, GB 57
QUEENS ROAD DEPOT, QUEENS ROAD, CHEETHAM HILL, MANCHESTER, M8 8UT, GB 160

[Jack]

RE: First Manchester
Forgot Selwyns were owned by RATP, could they be interested in either depot? Maybe more Oldham than Bolton.

[Quackdave]

RE: First Manchester

(20/02/2019 15:21)Mrboo Wrote:  just had a look at address there the main https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...nce/164182
and 6 buses on https://www.vehicle-operator-licensing.s...nce/214854

That second one isn't buses, it's lorries - the licence number begins with O, not P. (It's also not been current for quite a long time.)

Why they would have had a haulier's O-licence, I don't know - was it something to do with needing one for recovery vehicles?

[gilesbus1]

RE: First Manchester

(20/02/2019 17:57)Quackdave Wrote:  That second one isn't buses, it's lorries - the licence number begins with O, not P. (It's also not been current for quite a long time.)

Why they would have had a haulier's O-licence, I don't know - was it something to do with needing one for recovery vehicles?

Yep would be, at one stage there was a recovery vehicle at each main depot and at the start there were 6 if you include the fact that there was originally also one at Atherton years ago.

Incidentally for those interested who don't yet know there is an article in tonight's Manchester Evening News about what Go Ahead intend to do with Queens Road https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...d-15853871

New vehicles are mentioned as is a refurbishment plan for existing vehicles, but it states no new livery or fleet name initially they will use the temporary name of Go North West and no growth any further for the moment here. They are talking to stakeholders, as it calls them, about livery and name.

[acocker96]

RE: First Manchester
The best thing they can possibly is ask their customers how things can be improved from a passenger perspective, using ‘corporate’ change management techniques and focus groups.

[M60lad]

RE: First Manchester
Considering Go Ahead have some National Express Contracts could we in the future see some of their National Express workings overnighting at Queens Road Depot or maybe winning some of their own (Go Northwest) contracts?

[gilesbus1]

RE: First Manchester

(20/02/2019 20:54)M60lad Wrote:  Considering Go Ahead have some National Express Contracts could we in the future see some of their National Express workings overnighting at Queens Road Depot or maybe winning some of their own (Go Northwest) contracts?

I guess anything is possible, but not at this stage, lets not forget they have said no immediate growth to the business.

I think the main issue with basing National Express Contracts at Queens Road would be recruiting drivers, also not forgetting drivers here would be on a higher rate of pay than some in other places, due to the Inner City location and the issues recruiting staff in what is a prosperous city in some respects for other job opportunities which are perhaps more appealing, therefore the bid to operate contracts would possibly not be competitive enough with largely independent operators such as Selwyns which despite being part of RATP is based out of an independent and therefore has lower overheads. With larger coaches there is the issue of getting them onto Boyle Street out of what is a garage with quite a tight turn out of the garage entrance, which is why the Artics were never based there when BY closed.

Future growth might come if and when TfGM contracting becomes the norm, lets not forget though any growth at the moment would be based on spare space in Queens Road Depot so if you wanted to house loads of extra buses it just wouldn't be possible.

[Mayneway]

RE: First Manchester

(20/02/2019 20:04)acocker96 Wrote:  The best thing they can possibly is ask their customers how things can be improved from a passenger perspective, using ‘corporate’ change management techniques and focus groups.

The old saying 'don't run before you can walk' springs to mind. They need to sort vehicles and then once the dust has settled look at possible avenues of growth etc.

[Brickmill]

RE: First Manchester

(21/02/2019 00:06)Mayneway Wrote:  The old saying 'don't run before you can walk' springs to mind. They need to sort vehicles and then once the dust has settled look at possible avenues of growth etc.

Indeed, and don't forget no official take over date has been announced. One thing that will need to be clarified is "First" tickets, but I suspect this will depend on the fate of Bolton and Oldham.

[Mayneway]

RE: First Manchester

(21/02/2019 08:14)Brickmill Wrote:  Indeed, and don't forget no official take over date has been announced. One thing that will need to be clarified is "First" tickets, but I suspect this will depend on the fate of Bolton and Oldham.

It's a weird scenario. Obviously just like when First took over Finglands there will be a transition period when Go Ahead will accept existing First tickets but First up to now arnt disappearing, they will still be at the other two depots so if go-ahead intend to run First vehicles in First Livery with Go Ahead vinyls it's going to be extremely confusing for passengers.
Wonder if First will reduce the price of weekly/monthly tickets as the area they can be used in will massively shrink.