First Manchester

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RE: First Manchester

(06/04/2016 08:07)pete tierney Wrote:  Has anyone got an update on the Vantage Service, has it got off to a good start? I'm hoping to get up to give it a go next week-end.
Can anyone tell me where it goes to in Manchester City Centre, is it Piccadilly or Shudhill or elsewhere.
Thanks. Pete.

Had a ride on the V1 (leigh-manchester) today 12.00 departed leigh and top deck was full or families. Nice ride along the busway and then less exciting along main roads. 30 mins to salford flew by and the next 30 was stop-start with the traffic and traffic lights. Everybody was off at Piccadilly/Portland st (stop R). Journey to manchester took under an hour. Noticed two ads for the wifi and whatnot was held by one frame clip and not two.
Had half an hours mooch then got 13.30 or so bus back to leigh from stop CP King st (stop CO on google maps). A few people was already onboard on top deck, bottom deck was empty. Numbers quickly picked as it got to Salford Central. People TGFM hivis jackets boarded the bus at one of park and rides on the busway and I expect them to be inspectors but they wasn't. Stayed on until Tesco in Leigh. Bottom deck was more the TGFM people than commuters and families but wasn't completly full. I had overheard the driver recomending the top deck to a young woman, he said top deck was comfier.

Wifi is great-easy simple and quick to connect to
Comfy leather seats
Quiet hybrid engines
Next stop audio and visual announcements although a rather she sounds so different to her on Arriva Rail North's 319's. It works but very automated and American.

Passengers on both journeys both spoke of plus and negatives points.
Whether there'll be as many using this route next week when all the kids are back in school, only time will tell.