(14 Jun 2019, 6:53 am)Tim33160 wrote [ -> ]Still no sight of a full list of what has been taken over. One list circulating shows ex First trainers still at QS - plus a bus in Oldham Corporation livery - this was repainted over two years ago back into First livery
Here's a full, confirmed, list.
68x Volvo B9TL
37279 - 37290
37297
37301/03/04
37367 - 37382
37386/89
37390 - 37395
37397 - 37402
37404/09/11/13/14
37420/21/23/24/33/36/38/39
37440 - 37442
37452
37462 - 37466
14x Volvo B5 Hybrid
39207 - 39220
12x Optare Versa Hybrid
49101/2
49106 - 49112
49921 - 49923
3x Optare Versa (schools)
49230 - 49232
1x Optare Solo
59001
9x ADL Enviro400
33841/44/46/47/48/50/51/53/55
10x Streetlite
63147 - 63156
60x Volvo B7RLE
66831 - 66836
66844
66853 - 66859
66862
66866 - 66869
66871/74/75/76
66890/91/93/96/97/98
66902/08
66910 - 66913
66915
66920/22/23/28/29
66931/33
69176/77/79/85/95/96/97/99
69200/03/04/05
69325/26/27/28
69420
2x Training Volvo B7RLE
4979
4982
1x Reserve/Scrap
30962
(27 Jun 2019, 8:18 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Bolton Depot purchased by Rotala: http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidla...cquisition
Interestingly from Rotala's press release the vehicles will only be leased for two years, being replaced and returned to First by end of June 2021.
I imagine First will use the generally mid-life former Bolton fleet as a bank of vehicles for fleet replacement across their nationwide operations for the next couple of years, excusing them from major investment during their detachment of UK bus.
The further fracturing of the GM network into more operators will likely play into the hands of those in favour of bus franchising in Manchester.
Is it more operators though? Rotala already operate a sizeable operation across north Manchester
(28 Jun 2019, 10:27 am)tyresmoke wrote [ -> ]Is it more operators though? Rotala already operate a sizeable operation across north Manchester
I’d say so. 5 years ago the operator split of GM was straightforward, First in the north and Stagecoach in the south. Working east from Wigan we now have Stagecoach, Rotala, Transdev Rosso, Go North West and First networks interweaving.
First had created a hub and spoke network with local services feeding into the towns where mainline services would take passengers between towns or into Manchester. We’re now in the situation where the town network and the mainline route are ran by different operators. Naturally each new operator will now evolve their network focused on their local operation, rather than the regional scale First once had.
In GM I think things will get worse for the passenger before they get better. Stand around Piccadilly in a few months and you’ll see E400s all looking the same in Olympia livery but you’ll have to look harder to spot a logo to see whether it’s a First, GNW or DBNW bus.
(27 Jun 2019, 8:18 am)RBZ 5459 wrote [ -> ]Bolton Depot purchased by Rotala: http://www.thebusinessdesk.com/westmidla...cquisition
Interestingly from Rotala's press release the vehicles will only be leased for two years, being replaced and returned to First by end of June 2021.
Which buses have they leased from First?, don't really know the company so not sure what Rotala has leased.
(28 Jun 2019, 6:32 pm)Michael wrote [ -> ]Which buses have they leased from First?, don't really know the company so not sure what Rotala has leased.
Bolton has most of the B7RLEs left at FGM not all Urbans but all Urban 2s are based there. They also have a mix of 12/14 reg E400s with most of the 14 Regs. Along with some B9TLs, 1 57,lots of 58/09 Regs and the 2 12 Reg Gemini 2s.
They also have based the Vantage Gemini 3s but are not Included in the sale.
That’s just the allocation at the moment so it could change depending on what they are leasing.
(28 Jun 2019, 10:14 pm)NewcastleOne wrote [ -> ]Bolton has most of the B7RLEs left at FGM not all Urbans but all Urban 2s are based their. They also have a mix of 12/14 reg E400s with most of the 14 Regs. Along with some B9TLs, 1 57,lots of 58/09 Regs and the 2 12 Reg Gemini 2s.
They also have based the Vantage Gemini 3s but are not Included in the sale.
That’s just the allocation at the moment so it could change depending on what they are leasing.
Quite a mixture then, thanks for the information.
(30 Jun 2019, 1:06 pm)Malarkey wrote [ -> ]Blackpool Transport Fleet to be sold on after 5 years of service - https://www.route-one.net/articles/Busin..._year_plan
Interesting comments and leanings towards the customer being a prime focus.
Time will tell whether it is an effective way to run the business and I'm sure other operators will jump on the bandwagon if it is!
(24 Jul 2019, 9:37 pm)NewcastleOne wrote [ -> ]Diamond North West will be taking on 10 ex Your Bus Mercedes Citaros G
https://www.flickr.com/photos/jongraham890/48354260002/
Initial Fleet will be made up of leased ex First vehicles believed to be:
4 x B9TL (1 x 57 & 3 x 58 plate)
57 x Enviro400's (12 & 14 plate)
64 x B7RLE (55/06/56 plate only)
Plus:
10 x Ex Your Bus Citaros
1 x Volvo B9TL (40625)
6 x Streetlites (32301-6, ex Preston)
10 x Volvo B7RLE 30850-2/4-61
With additional members of fleet being drafted in from Diamond West Midlands to make up the initial PVR
Sent from my SM-G960F using Tapatalk
Diamond North West
10 new Wright Streetdecks have been delivered here, diverted from the order for First West Yorkshire.
![[Image: 48494444037_72149f9d57_b.jpg]](https://live.staticflickr.com/65535/48494444037_72149f9d57_b.jpg)
Diamond North West SO19MVX by
FOKX, on Flickr