(12 Aug 2018, 2:03 pm)Tamesider wrote Very quiet in Greater Manchester at the moment with just three relatively minor fleet developments in the absence of any expected new buses in the coming Financial Year.



2. Stagecoach Manchester have received ex Barnsley E400s 19562-5 (and possibly 19566). This is presumably to cater for a slight increase in PVR caused by MagicBus service changes in September. No allocation details are known, but it seems likely that these 5 buses will allow 5 slightly older examples to (re?) transfer back to the MagicBus fleet.

3. The above MagicBus changes are due to funding withdrawals from existing services 141 (MagicBus from West Didsbury to MMU Birley Campus) and 147 (Bullocks from MRI complex to Piccadilly Station). Stagecoach have decided to divert the 141 away from Birley to extend to Piccadilly Station as service 147. Service levels will also increase, but being a MagicBus (ie. non-hybrid) service, it won't enter MRI grounds.
As a result of Bullocks withdrawal from the service - and thus local services per se - their 4 Volvo hybrids have gone to Lothian, in exchange for 6 of the latter's Ominicities. The first of these, SN57 DBU is already in service on the 147, helping cover the remaining duties before the service ceases on 31st August. This particular bus arrived all white and had been VOR at Lothian for some time after extensive fire damage. It is anticipated the other 5 will arrive ready for the school term (school work is retained) and in turn they will replace ex Arriva DAF DB250s. At least two of the latter have been retained over August - again to cover 147s.

19561 has now arrived at Manchester - though its not clear if this is instead of 19566, or as well as. None have yet entered passenger service.

A second Omnicity with Bullocks is SN57 DBZ

(21 Aug 2018, 1:54 pm)Tamesider wrote 19561 has now arrived at Manchester - though its not clear if this is instead of 19566, or as well as. None have yet entered passenger service.

Further update 19561-6 are all believed to be at Manchester now, although 19566 has only been reported once so is probably out of sight (at Hyde Road?). 19563 has entered service at Sharston, but it isn't known if this is a permanent allocation or whether the other five will join it there.

(22 Aug 2018, 3:52 pm)Tamesider wrote Further update 19561-6 are all believed to be at Manchester now, although 19566 has only been reported once so is probably out of sight (at Hyde Road?). 19563 has entered service at Sharston, but it isn't known if this is a permanent allocation or whether the other five will join it there.

Unconfirmed reports suggest 19562 has joined '563 in service at Sharston with 19561/4/5 also parked there. Surprising arrivals are older 19041/3/4 from Gillmoss, where new MMCs 11101-3 (SN18 KVF/G/H) have replaced them. These might be in preperation for major year long roadworks affecting junctions crossing the Mancunian Way, which start this week. Nevertheless, it will not go unnoticed by those pushing for a compulsory LEZ covering the city centre and many corridors to the north, west and south of the city, that this increases Stagecoach Manchester's Euro3 fleet by over 20% after years of progress in removing them. The voluntary nature of the LEZ was why Euro4 E400s were converted to MagicBus instead of just using the oldest remaining 'deckers.

Rosso

The former 'CityZap' B7RLEs, now used on the 'Red4' (Bury to Ramsbottom) have now reverted to their original registrations (ZAP plates in italics):

1868 FJ58 LTN ML03 ZAP
1869 FJ58 LUA ML04 ZAP
1870 FJ58 LTX ML05 ZAP
1871 FJ58 LTV ML06 ZAP

Stagecoach:

#lakesconnection - With the current weather conditions, we cannot guarantee that all services will continue to operate today. Our advice to anyone on a day out in the Lakes and travelling by bus is to return home sooner rather than later.

Looks quite bad, seeing videos appear online

Grasmere - Ambleside A591 by Rydal Lake https://www.facebook.com/groups/ilovethe...942673072/

Cockermouth: https://www.facebook.com/groups/ilovethe...692893072/

(16 Sep 2018, 10:44 am)Kuyoyo wrote Rosso

The former 'CityZap' B7RLEs, now used on the 'Red4' (Bury to Ramsbottom) have now reverted to their original registrations (ZAP plates in italics):

1868 FJ58 LTN ML03 ZAP
1869 FJ58 LUA ML04 ZAP
1870 FJ58 LTX ML05 ZAP
1871 FJ58 LTV ML06 ZAP

WYIS now quote the registrations for Versas 278-293. Indeed, three have been reported being exhibited in or near the 464 route yesterday, but the individual identities weren't quoted.

(21 Oct 2018, 3:39 pm)Tamesider wrote WYIS now quote the registrations for Versas 278-293. Indeed, three have been reported being exhibited in or near the 464 route yesterday, but the individual identities weren't quoted.

Buses used were 278 (YJ68 FWC), 279 (YJ68 FWD) and 287 (YJ68 FWN)

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liv...witter.com&utm_medium=social&utm_campaign=sharebar&__twitter_impression=true

Improvements to road network in Liverpool

(21 Oct 2018, 4:05 pm)S813 FVK wrote Buses used were 278 (YJ68 FWC), 279 (YJ68 FWD) and 287 (YJ68 FWN)

All these are now in service, with 278-91 in 464 branded purple and 292/3 in "Pride of the North" livery.

Might be of interest to some, This is an updated list of the Arriva North West DLP's & VLWs that i keep myself. I have been given gossip on the quiet that these could be going very soon, I wont go into detail about possible replacements until i get further information, Also of note 4162 shows in use at Bolton but is getting repairs following hitting the depot roof when being towed in from a break down. There is also a PVR reduction coming in at Birkenhead on 17th November, this could see the final VLW 4211 be withdrawn.

4161 LJ51 DLN – Withdrawn (St Helens)
4162 LJ51 DLZ – Bolton
4163 LJ51 DLX – Pool (Wythenshawe)
4164 LJ51 DKY – Winsford
4165 LF02 PKD - Pool (Speke)
4166 LF52 UPS – Birkenhead
4167 LJ51 DLD - Withdrawn (Arriva Southern Counties)
4168 LJ51 DLU - SCRAPPED
4169 LF52 UPR - St Helens
4170 LF02 PKA – Bootle
4171 LJ51 DLK - Withdrawn (Arriva Southern Counties)
4172 LF52 URD - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4173 LF52 URG – Bolton
4174 LF52 URX - Pool (Wrexham)
4175 LJ51 OSX - SCRAPPED
4176 LJ51 OSY – Birkenhead
4177 LJ51 OSZ - Pool (Wythenshawe)
4178 LJ51 ORA - Withdrawn (St Helens)
4179 LF02 PKJ - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4180 LJ51 ORG – Rhyl
4181 LJ51 DLY - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4182 LJ51 DLV - Wrexham
4183 LF52 URS – Withdrawn (Wythenshawe)
4184 LF52 URU - Withdrawn (Wythenshawe)
4185 LF52 URB - Withdrawn (Winsford)

VLWs:
4200 Y581 UGC – Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4201 Y102 TGH - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4202 LJ51 DJF - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4203 LJ51 DJK - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4204 LJ51 DJO – Pool (Birkenhead)
4205 LJ51 DFK - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4206 LJ51 DHF - Withdrawn (Speke)
4207 LF02 PKY – Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4208 LJ51 DGY - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4209 LJ51 DHA - Withdrawn (Speke)
4210 LJ51 DHV – Withdrawn (St Helens)
4211 LJ51 DHX – Birkenhead
4212 LJ51 DHY - Pool (St Helens)
4213 LJ51 DJE - Withdrawn (Wythenshawe)
4214 LF02 PKO - Pool (Speke)
4215 LJ51 DHD - Withdrawn (Winsford)
4216 LF02 PKZ – Withdrawn (Winsford)

(14 Nov 2018, 5:18 pm)Y961 XBU wrote Might be of interest to some, This is an updated list of the Arriva North West DLP's & VLWs that i keep myself. I have been given gossip on the quiet that these could be going very soon, I wont go into detail about possible replacements until i get further information, Also of note 4162 shows in use at Bolton but is getting repairs following hitting the depot roof when being towed in from a break down. There is also a PVR reduction coming in at Birkenhead on 17th November, this could see the final VLW 4211 be withdrawn.

4161 LJ51 DLN – Withdrawn (St Helens)
4162 LJ51 DLZ – Bolton
4163 LJ51 DLX – Pool (Wythenshawe)
4164 LJ51 DKY – Winsford
4165 LF02 PKD - Pool (Speke)
4166 LF52 UPS – Birkenhead
4167 LJ51 DLD - Withdrawn (Arriva Southern Counties)
4168 LJ51 DLU - SCRAPPED
4169 LF52 UPR - St Helens
4170 LF02 PKA – Bootle
4171 LJ51 DLK - Withdrawn (Arriva Southern Counties)
4172 LF52 URD - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4173 LF52 URG – Bolton
4174 LF52 URX - Pool (Wrexham)
4175 LJ51 OSX - SCRAPPED
4176 LJ51 OSY – Birkenhead
4177 LJ51 OSZ - Pool (Wythenshawe)
4178 LJ51 ORA - Withdrawn (St Helens)
4179 LF02 PKJ - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4180 LJ51 ORG – Rhyl
4181 LJ51 DLY - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4182 LJ51 DLV - Wrexham
4183 LF52 URS – Withdrawn (Wythenshawe)
4184 LF52 URU - Withdrawn (Wythenshawe)
4185 LF52 URB - Withdrawn (Winsford)

VLWs:
4200 Y581 UGC – Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4201 Y102 TGH - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4202 LJ51 DJF - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4203 LJ51 DJK - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4204 LJ51 DJO – Pool (Birkenhead)
4205 LJ51 DFK - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4206 LJ51 DHF - Withdrawn (Speke)
4207 LF02 PKY – Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4208 LJ51 DGY - Withdrawn (Birkenhead)
4209 LJ51 DHA - Withdrawn (Speke)
4210 LJ51 DHV – Withdrawn (St Helens)
4211 LJ51 DHX – Birkenhead
4212 LJ51 DHY - Pool (St Helens)
4213 LJ51 DJE - Withdrawn (Wythenshawe)
4214 LF02 PKO - Pool (Speke)
4215 LJ51 DHD - Withdrawn (Winsford)
4216 LF02 PKZ – Withdrawn (Winsford)

4169 and 4174 are the latest 2 to be Withdrawn.

First to sell off its Manchester operation

https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/201...s-network/

FirstGroup to jettison loss-making Manchester bus network
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/201...s-network/

Transport giant FirstGroup is selling one of its biggest regional bus divisions in a bid to stem mounting losses.

The Manchester operations, once worth about £100m in annual turnover, are to be sold in a cut-price deal, The Telegraph understands.

Hundreds of buses across three depots in Bury, Oldham and Bolton, will be sold to rival operators.

Industry sources indicated FirstGroup may sell up in the north west for as little £20m. Each of the sites will be sold to separate bus companies, they added.

Recent analysis suggests Manchester, FirstGroup’s fourth-biggest regional bus network by revenue, has veered sharply into the red and is now its worst performing UK network.

It made about £3.5m of operating profit on £101m of turnover in 2012/13. However, by 2017/18 it had racked up £5.8m of operating losses on revenues of £86m, trade publication Passenger Transport reported.

The bus fire sale comes as FirstGroup remains under pressure from investors to dispose of assets. 

Some investors believe its student and urban bus operations in North America alone were worth more than its current stock market value of £1.2bn.
Meanwhile, questions continue to be asked over FirstGroup’s commitment to UK rail with Great Western, South Western and Transpennine ­Express franchises all continuing to struggle.

However, FirstGroup says it is hamstrung from bowing completely to shareholders' wishes because of a £200m pension hole.

“We can’t ignore some of the structural issues, particularly around pensions, in our UK defined benefit scheme,”  chief executive Matthew Gregory said last year.

British bus operations generated the biggest percentage profit margins in the company’s most recent half-year results in November.

A FirstGroup spokesman said: "We don’t comment on market rumours or speculation. We keep all bus services, depots and the business portfolio under constant review so we can be responsive to changes in market conditions.”

(04 Feb 2019, 9:22 pm)S813 FVK wrote FirstGroup to jettison loss-making Manchester bus network
https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/201...s-network/

Selling to three separate operators is an interesting note from this article, would of thought they would've wanted to sell to just one operator outright.

I reckon Transdev to take over Bury Ops, Arriva take over Bolton Ops and Stagecoach take over Oldham Ops from First.

Bury depot has been closed for a while. I think this should be Queens Road, Manchester, which would probably be too much for Transdev.  stagecoach could be interested in Bolton as it is close to their Wigan operations leaving Oldham for Transdev (Rosso). 

Queens Road ? 

They will be selling separately because of Competition Authorities probably.

(05 Feb 2019, 12:03 pm)KB59 wrote Bury depot has been closed for a while. I think this should be Queens Road, Manchester, which would probably be too much for Transdev.  stagecoach could be interested in Bolton as it is close to their Wigan operations leaving Oldham for Transdev (Rosso). 

Queens Road ? 

They will be selling separately because of Competition Authorities probably.

And for that reason Stagecoach will not be able to acquire Oldham or Queens. Besides, they want out as well don't they?

(06 Feb 2019, 9:36 pm)Tamesider wrote And for that reason Stagecoach will not be able to acquire Oldham or Queens. Besides, they want out as well don't they?

I don’t think they want out after they recorded high profits last year but I think they will stay even if they re regulate the Manchester bus services.
They have such a large operation where they can’t really place the buses.

Go-Ahead agrees terms with FirstGroup to purchase Manchester bus depot

Read more: https://www.go-ahead.com/en/media/news/2...r-bus.html

(19 Feb 2019, 8:03 am)Dan wrote Go-Ahead agrees terms with FirstGroup to purchase Manchester bus depot

Read more: https://www.go-ahead.com/en/media/news/2...r-bus.html

Good news at least part of First GM is going to an operator new to the area, rather than being swallowed up by the existing ones. This will be very different to the EYMS acquisition where keeping the status quo is fine. First is a toxic brand in Manchester, so big changes above and beyond a new name/livery will be needed.

It'll be interesting to see how Go Ahead attack the GM market, as in terms of the routes they acquire with Queens Road, it's all a bit haphazard. A lot of what Queens operate is along corridors supplemented by other First depots; meaning once Go North West are going it alone they will be very much the smaller player.   Core corridors 'as-is' would be the 17/18 Manchester-Middleton-Rochdale (this is the only Queens route into Rochdale, the remainder of the network around there being Oldham operated), and the Manchester - Bury corridor incorporating the 135, 93, 95, 97, 98. Even here, however, the same issue is present at the Bury end where the bulk of services here are operated by First Bolton (or whoever is operating Bolton by then), leaving GNW the smaller player. 


The rest of what they acquire is very 'standalone'; the 53 has always been a territorial oddball; is it even worth continuing with the 42...etc. That all said, Queens is in a prime location to through the status quo out of the window and draw up a new network entirely - though this will need deep pockets and it's a risky game poking Stagecoach, especially when Go Ahead Group co-exist with Stagecoach in other territories.

(19 Feb 2019, 10:25 am)James101 wrote Good news at least part of First GM is going to an operator new to the area, rather than being swallowed up by the existing ones. This will be very different to the EYMS acquisition where keeping the status quo is fine. First is a toxic brand in Manchester, so big changes above and beyond a new name/livery will be needed.

It'll be interesting to see how Go Ahead attack the GM market, as in terms of the routes they acquire with Queens Road, it's all a bit haphazard. A lot of what Queens operate is along corridors supplemented by other First depots; meaning once Go North West are going it alone they will be very much the smaller player.   Core corridors 'as-is' would be the 17/18 Manchester-Middleton-Rochdale (this is the only Queens route into Rochdale, the remainder of the network around there being Oldham operated), and the Manchester - Bury corridor incorporating the 135, 93, 95, 97, 98. Even here, however, the same issue is present at the Bury end where the bulk of services here are operated by First Bolton (or whoever is operating Bolton by then), leaving GNW the smaller player. 


The rest of what they acquire is very 'standalone'; the 53 has always been a territorial oddball; is it even worth continuing with the 42...etc. That all said, Queens is in a prime location to through the status quo out of the window and draw up a new network entirely - though this will need deep pockets and it's a risky game poking Stagecoach, especially when Go Ahead Group co-exist with Stagecoach in other territories.

An interesting move, when you look at potential TfGM manouvers and the Rosso/Transdev deal from last year.
It smacks (to me anyway) of wanting to be involved in Manchester without poking Stagecoaches nose out of joint oo much.

(19 Feb 2019, 10:25 am)James101 wrote Good news at least part of First GM is going to an operator new to the area, rather than being swallowed up by the existing ones. This will be very different to the EYMS acquisition where keeping the status quo is fine. First is a toxic brand in Manchester, so big changes above and beyond a new name/livery will be needed.

It'll be interesting to see how Go Ahead attack the GM market, as in terms of the routes they acquire with Queens Road, it's all a bit haphazard. A lot of what Queens operate is along corridors supplemented by other First depots; meaning once Go North West are going it alone they will be very much the smaller player.   Core corridors 'as-is' would be the 17/18 Manchester-Middleton-Rochdale (this is the only Queens route into Rochdale, the remainder of the network around there being Oldham operated), and the Manchester - Bury corridor incorporating the 135, 93, 95, 97, 98. Even here, however, the same issue is present at the Bury end where the bulk of services here are operated by First Bolton (or whoever is operating Bolton by then), leaving GNW the smaller player. 


The rest of what they acquire is very 'standalone'; the 53 has always been a territorial oddball; is it even worth continuing with the 42...etc. That all said, Queens is in a prime location to through the status quo out of the window and draw up a new network entirely - though this will need deep pockets and it's a risky game poking Stagecoach, especially when Go Ahead Group co-exist with Stagecoach in other territories.

Just one of note - First no longer operate a 42 in Manchester. The Northern half of their old 42 (Middleton to City) now connecta with the 41 to Sale. First have pulled off the East Didsbury route leaving it entirely Stagecoach-operated, be it a 42, a 42A, a 42B or a 142.

Go Ahead also gain the First depot where the youngest owned vehicle is 9 years old - Queens Road is the poorer relation in terms of its fleet. The last new vehicles delivered to Queens Road were the Volvo B5LHs used on the 18 between Middleton and Manchester Royal Infirmary. Queen Road do however operate what was the ‘Metroshuttle’  now know as ‘Free Bus’.

(19 Feb 2019, 3:27 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Just one of note - First no longer operate a 42 in Manchester. The Northern half of their old 42 (Middleton to City) now connecta with the 41 to Sale. First have pulled off the East Didsbury route leaving it entirely Stagecoach-operated, be it a 42, a 42A, a 42B or a 142.

Go Ahead also gain the First depot where the youngest owned vehicle is 9 years old - Queens Road is the poorer relation in terms of its fleet. The last new vehicles delivered to Queens Road were the Volvo B5LHs used on the 18 between Middleton and Manchester Royal Infirmary. Queen Road do however operate what was the ‘Metroshuttle’  now know as ‘Free Bus’.

Ah yes of course. Still, the 41 is a very small part of the Oxford Road corridor. Especially when it’s considered that Vantage services which currently supplement First output as far as the Hospitals will not be included in this deal. 

Unless....

Crazy theory time.

If Fingalnds was only sold to First for £50k that can’t have included the sale of the depot. Maybe (this is a big maybe, I’ve not shelled out the £3 to check Land Registry) the depot was retained by EYMS. Even bigger maybe, this was transferred to Go Ahead with the EYMS deal. Ergo Go North West have a depot on the busiest bus corridor in Europe?

*puts tin foil hat away*

The depot was only leased to First when the sale was agreed.

(19 Feb 2019, 3:56 pm)Andreos1 wrote The depot was only leased to First when the sale was agreed.

Leased from EYMS or another party? If EYMS sold it separately from the Finglands operation my money would be on student flats before longs. If EYMS kept it, and it was passed to Go Ahead, could it re open soon?

What kind of buses run from Queens Road?

Don't really know much about First.

(19 Feb 2019, 4:09 pm)James101 wrote Leased from EYMS or another party? If EYMS sold it separately from the Finglands operation my money would be on student flats before longs. If EYMS kept it, and it was passed to Go Ahead, could it re open soon?

I believe First took over the lease from Finglands. So presumably another party owns the site.

(19 Feb 2019, 7:29 pm)Michael wrote What kind of buses run from Queens Road?

Don't really know much about First.

B9TL Geminis from 07/57/58, TfGM Metroshuttles, plenty 05/55/06/09 B7RLEs, plus the 61 plate B5TL. Quite an aged depot as already been mentioned, most likely showing their age (and some) being First.

(19 Feb 2019, 7:29 pm)Michael wrote What kind of buses run from Queens Road?

Don't really know much about First.

(19 Feb 2019, 11:26 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote B9TL Geminis from 07/57/58, TfGM Metroshuttles, plenty 05/55/06/09 B7RLEs, plus the 61 plate B5TL. Quite an aged depot as already been mentioned, most likely showing their age (and some) being First.

For anyone wonder, here's the most up-to-date Fleetlist for First Manchester I can find - in the drop-down box, select 'Manchester' for Queens Road's allocation
http://www.quack77.uk/fleetlists/fleet.php?ownerid=8

(19 Feb 2019, 11:26 pm)RBZ 5459 wrote B9TL Geminis from 07/57/58, TfGM Metroshuttles, plenty 05/55/06/09 B7RLEs, plus the 61 plate B5TL. Quite an aged depot as already been mentioned, most likely showing their age (and some) being First.

Thanks, far amount of decent buses then, read that Go Ahead will have a look and probables do some refurbishment work on the buses in the future.


Will the fleet numbers change?

(21 Feb 2019, 11:20 am)Michael wrote Thanks, far amount of decent buses then, read that Go Ahead will have a look and probables do some refurbishment work on the buses in the future.


Will the fleet numbers change?

I'd expect so yeah.