First Manchester

[gilesbus1]

RE: First Manchester

(09/02/2019 12:33)Metroline1511 Wrote:  Judging by the loss First are apparently willing to make on the sale, I wonder whether they plan to retrieve the Enviro400s, Enviro300s and Streetlites that are to 2012 spec, and swap these with older buses elsewhere? Then the new owners can decide how to replace the fleet. A similar thing happened to some extent when Stagecoach East Lancashire and ChesterBus were sold.

I do wonder that but it would be limited to what age vehicles it could put in return due to any tender commitments, certainly the 3 x 63 reg Eclipse Urbans and the 2 x 12 plate Gemini's would have to remain as well as all 25 Vantage Buses because of Vantage commitments.

As Eclipse Gemini's are now none standard as a type at First its possible a swap of Enviro Enviro400's could be done with West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire, Bristol and or Glasgow. That would though mean some 12 reg Gemini's might have to come from West Yorkshire to meet any Tender commitments.

Enviro Enviro300's and Streetlites could just simply be swapped for Volvo B7RLE's again from West Yorkshire, South Yorkshire and or Glasgow.

Eastern Counties/Essex might have other none standard buses that could be swapped such as secondhand Gemini's and Eclipses.

Although you have to remember if you place in a fleet of old banger's you reduce the purchase price hence why none of the Eclipses, Solar's or Gemini's were removed from Wigan, Rock Ferry or Chester when they were sold.

So I will wait to see with interest what actually happens.