Go North West drivers have reached an agreement with strike action officially coming to an end this morning.

https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-england-manc...146028.amp

28747 is the first of the 'Stagecoach Gold - X4/X5' Scanias at Workington to be repainted into Lakes livery for the same routes

28747 (YN65XFY) Cumwhinton (3) by Carlisle Bus Group, on Flickr

(02 Jul 2021, 9:19 am)Kuyoyo wrote 28747 is the first of the 'Stagecoach Gold - X4/X5' Scanias at Workington to be repainted into Lakes livery for the same routes

28747 (YN65XFY) Cumwhinton (3) by Carlisle Bus Group, on Flickr

Looks smart, is the Gold X4/X5 getting the same treatment?

Stagecoach 11158 / YX68 UXJ by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancs 11158 is now in the new Stagecoach livery.


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Stagecoach 11157 / YX68 UXH by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Carlisle based 11157 has been repainted and back in service today.


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Any ideas why Atlantic Travel have got 6 brand new 71 plate E200MMCs cant see anything to suggest they have won any TFGM work. If i go to DVLA there work is mostly schools so it seems odd unless there using those on school contracts

(30 Sep 2021, 2:49 pm)jamessolomon wrote Any ideas why Atlantic Travel have got 6 brand new 71 plate E200MMCs cant see anything to suggest they have won any TFGM work. If i go to DVLA there work is mostly schools so it seems odd unless there using those on school contracts

My guess would be the result of CAZ planned to be implemented in parts of Greater Manchester from next year (potentially May?), including parts of Bolton where they're based.

They're quite a big player on the Rail Replacement scene around Greater Manchester too sometimes stretch into Yorkshire as well, even went as far north as York on at least one line closure earlier this year. Said E200MMCs have been sighted on these already and likely will be commonplace on various RR jobs.

GNW driver sacked for being too short
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...49933?s=09

(05 Dec 2021, 12:49 am)BusLoverMum wrote GNW driver sacked for being too short
https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...49933?s=09

She's won her appeal, but still doesn't have her full hours back
https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A...ld-6368881&h=AT0nGatsq7OXKwPqx42yTyI2tD26lgSiczvTiT_rKW5yxVyMtWPGoe-kFPDOauKcb5-SGoe-mWUgl93tr9JGRE7PKTYqFpoUaTczJ57ymQ6iw77Q-Hkk2-FD1QZAyNanT3gDRw1LxD0nL0Fi

(21 Dec 2021, 12:56 pm)Andreos1 wrote She's won her appeal, but still doesn't have her full hours back
https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A...ld-6368881&h=AT0nGatsq7OXKwPqx42yTyI2tD26lgSiczvTiT_rKW5yxVyMtWPGoe-kFPDOauKcb5-SGoe-mWUgl93tr9JGRE7PKTYqFpoUaTczJ57ymQ6iw77Q-Hkk2-FD1QZAyNanT3gDRw1LxD0nL0Fi

Great news that she's won her appeal, but in regards to hours, this quote is really important: "That would entail bosses finding Tracey just one extra hour of work a day."

This is nothing more than vindictive management behaviour. You've won your appeal and right to retain the same rate of pay, so we'll hit you in the pocket in another way.

Is it any wonder that the sector are having such difficulties with recruitment and retention, when this is how companies are treating their workers?

(21 Dec 2021, 12:56 pm)Andreos1 wrote She's won her appeal, but still doesn't have her full hours back
https://lm.facebook.com/l.php?u=https%3A...ld-6368881&h=AT0nGatsq7OXKwPqx42yTyI2tD26lgSiczvTiT_rKW5yxVyMtWPGoe-kFPDOauKcb5-SGoe-mWUgl93tr9JGRE7PKTYqFpoUaTczJ57ymQ6iw77Q-Hkk2-FD1QZAyNanT3gDRw1LxD0nL0Fi

Funny, because the Daily Mail reported she'd actually lost the appeal
5ft female bus driver who was sacked for being 'too short' loses appeal over her dismissal | Daily Mail Online

The ultimate irony here is that, in a report on the BBC website, there is the following quote:

Go North West said: "The design of the mirrors on our buses was agreed after consultation with Unite some time ago. All our other drivers of similar height to Tracey are able to view them safely.

"When Tracey raised a concern with us, we made numerous proposals to accommodate her, including offering to put her on different routes, and different types of buses."

(21 Dec 2021, 1:48 pm)Kuyoyo wrote Funny, because the Daily Mail reported she'd actually lost the appeal
5ft female bus driver who was sacked for being 'too short' loses appeal over her dismissal | Daily Mail Online

The ultimate irony here is that, in a report on the BBC website, there is the following quote:

The Mail were referring to the first appeal presumably (going off the date of publication and reference to the upcoming second appeal).

Stagecoach 27142 / SN64 OGF by kieron mathews, on Flickr

The last of Stagecoach’s Cross Pennines 27142 has been repainted into fleet livery.


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Won her appeal - normal hours and pick of bus from depot
https://news.sky.com/story/short-bus-dri...e-12518950

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-me...e-60040090

Newspaper adverts cause a bit of controversy on Merseyside. 
I've noticed they've been added to the fleet of at least one NE based operator too.

Judge rules in favour of Andy Burnham's major bus reform in historic moment for Greater Manchester's passengers: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...l-23336166

(09 Mar 2022, 7:26 pm)Adrian wrote Judge rules in favour of Andy Burnham's major bus reform in historic moment for Greater Manchester's passengers: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...l-23336166

https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...n-23340031

More on this

I see Go North West didnt keep the ex GNE citaros very long, they're up for sale on https://www.drewwilson.co.uk/

(13 Apr 2022, 2:10 pm)ASX_Terranova wrote I see Go North West didnt keep the ex GNE citaros very long, they're up for sale on https://www.drewwilson.co.uk/

It's just the corporate liveried examples coming off, the 'Cross City' liveried examples are staying and have been converted to Euro 6.

Go North West does feel quite exotic with its inheritances from elsewhere within Go-Ahead. I refer to Citaros from Go North East, Eclipses from Plymouth and EvoSetis from London.

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/uk-england-ma...r-62295334

Interesting developments. Rotala and Stagecoach arguments dismissed.

https://www.liverpoolecho.co.uk/news/liv...0LZJKwXqu8

Stagecoach 10014 / PX12 DLV by kieron mathews, on Flickr

Stagecoach Cumbria & North Lancs 10014 has been repainted into the Royal British Legion livery

(09 Mar 2022, 7:26 pm)Adrian wrote Judge rules in favour of Andy Burnham's major bus reform in historic moment for Greater Manchester's passengers: https://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/...l-23336166

Go North West lands Wigan and Bolton bus franchise contracts

https://twitter.com/GAGNigel/status/1606286942693269504


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Rotala has also won some contracts too - The Company has been awarded seven out of the nine available Small Franchises by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority ("GMCA") in Bolton, Bury, Wigan, Farnworth, Leigh, and Salford ("Small Franchise Areas") with a combined annualised revenue of approximately £18.7 million, starting in late September 2023.

Edit: Some reason it won't let me post the link for the above info! ^^^

Wonder if Nigel could be spread to thin

(23 Dec 2022, 2:25 pm)Michael wrote Go North West lands Wigan and Bolton bus franchise contracts

https://twitter.com/GAGNigel/status/1606286942693269504


-----------

Rotala has also won some contracts too - The Company has been awarded seven out of the nine available Small Franchises by the Greater Manchester Combined Authority ("GMCA") in Bolton, Bury, Wigan, Farnworth, Leigh, and Salford ("Small Franchise Areas") with a combined annualised revenue of approximately £18.7 million, starting in late September 2023.

Edit: Some reason it won't let me post the link for the above info! ^^^

Really can't see this starting anywhere near September 2023, it's just a matter of time before Stagecoach kicks off again and I don't blame them. They're the operator in Wigan and it's just been took away from them with nothing in return. I'd be pissed if I was them aswell especially when GoAhead have absolutely no coverage in either area.

It's been very poorly done imo and should be done similar to London on a route by route basis with the current operator winning their own routes back for the first round automatically. In the next rounds then they can bid for other stuff (or not). Not to mention the complications of just TUPE'ing staff to companies with different terms it's a potential mess.

The current scenario is unfair imo.

(23 Dec 2022, 10:28 pm)Storx wrote Really can't see this starting anywhere near September 2023, it's just a matter of time before Stagecoach kicks off again and I don't blame them. They're the operator in Wigan and it's just been took away from them with nothing in return. I'd be pissed if I was them aswell especially when GoAhead have absolutely no coverage in either area.

It's been very poorly done imo and should be done similar to London on a route by route basis with the current operator winning their own routes back for the first round automatically. In the next rounds then they can bid for other stuff (or not). Not to mention the complications of just TUPE'ing staff to companies with different terms it's a potential mess.

The current scenario is unfair imo.

Passing contracts to his mates no doubt!

I hope Stagecoach kick off.

(24 Dec 2022, 9:06 am)Michael wrote Passing contracts to his mates no doubt!

I hope Stagecoach kick off.

Yeah no doubt, it's all very hidden so far seen other forums discussing it and no-one really has a clue what's going on including the routes such as the Arriva ones which are cross boundary which they can't really control.

Can't see it starting in 9 months and god knows what happens if Stagecoach refuses to sell the depots and buses and poaches all the staff to work in surrounding areas. They can't force them to do any of them and it would kill it off. The Rotala response isn't particularly glowing in support either.

Mind I don't really get the point in contracting them out at all tbh when there's no commercial risk to the operators, and they get a depot etc. The total difference to London where they own their own fleets (bar Boris buses) and the depots so have to take them into consideration when bidding which results in a very new fleet aswell.

It has been announced that Peoplesbus of Aintree are to be taken over by Stagecoach Merseyside & South Lancashire from Sunday 9th July.

Link to Peoplesbus Facebook post

The next batch of franchising results have been announced today:

Stagecoach take over Queens Road from Go North West and Oldham from First and they keep their current depot at Middleton
Diamond have won a small franchise in Oldham
First have won 2 small franchises in Rochdale (Think these are currently routes operates by Transdev)