(07/07/2019 11:46)gilesbus1 Wrote:  The grant for the 582 was a Government grant allocated to First Manchester, my feeling is that this investment will not now go ahead, instead Rotala's plant is to bring in several new MicroHybrid Vehicles and in that case its likely that the 582 will get the first batch of new Wright Streetlites (probably of the Streetlite MAX variety) or Streetdecks.

The 2 12 Plate Volvo B9TL's will remain with FirstGroup along with the 3 63 Plate Eclipse Urbans as they are Vantage spares, however they will be replaced in December by a fleet of 10 new Electric Deckers from an unknown manufacturer, which will displace these out to another fleet as V3's and V4's will then be operated by Volvo B5LH's displaced from the main V1 and V2 diagram's. Another handful of deckers will also transfer to Rusholme for other V3 and V4 journeys as well at the same time along with 3 or 4 training fleet vehicles, as training operations for both Rusholme and Oldham will be based at Rusholme.

(07/07/2019 12:00)Winston Wrote:  Last I heard, is that there are no new single deckers due to be ordered for Bolton, only double deckers. Rotala typically now buy Euro 6 Micro-Hybrids as standard, if available.

There may be the possibility of a small batch of Streetlites moving from within Rotala, plus a batch a full size single deckers being acquired outside of Rotala. None, of this has been confirmed though.

(07/07/2019 18:41)gilesbus1 Wrote:  Is the batch of single-deckers all the remaining Volvo B7RLE's from Blackpool Transport as rumoured or is this from another source?

(09/07/2019 07:16)M60lad Wrote:  More news regarding Diamond Northwest is that Atherton Depot is closing end of August with 26/27/29/35/126/132 and 300 transfering operations to Eccles Depot.

(08/07/2019 23:37)gilesbus1 Wrote:  In other news here Matt Rawlinson from First Manchester has been recruited as Regional Manager Diamond Bus North West.

(09/07/2019 09:39)Nwales Bus Wrote:  No need for two depots within 6 miles from each other, would some of the services not be best operated from the new Bolton Depot

(09/07/2019 11:17)gilesbus1 Wrote:  It potentially causes a problem then as Atherton depot drivers are on minimum wage were those at Bolton are on much higher wages, that means that those that go to Bolton will have to be put on First Manchester wages which are a lot higher and also be able to join a trade union were those at Atherton are none Unionised, also Eccles isn't Unionised so therefore some staff end up with higher wages and others end up on lower wages.