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RE: First Manchester - joe_alker - 31/12/2013 11:35
Just on that MEN article, one that is some outdated picture
![[Image: 00467fdf-1_7062930-6450269.jpg]](http://i1.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/incoming/article6450269.ece/ALTERNATES/s615/00467fdf-1_7062930-6450269.jpg)
and also
regualrly a takes Frist buses
RE: First Manchester - 126th street - 31/12/2013 11:46
People who get on the bus and then engage the driver in a conversation as to why the bus is late are possibly the most idiotic individuals imaginable as they don't appear to realise that they are making the service even later by doing so.
As for the poster who comments that First and Stagecoach should be doing things to 'combat the rude unhelpfulness of some of their drivers': What do you suggest?
RE: First Manchester - Polo Mint - 31/12/2013 13:48
Certainly an old picture.
(30/12/2013 22:00)33109 Wrote: I had my first merc citaro today & was surprised/disappointed. They're a decent bus, quick off the mark, plenty of space inside but the down points are:
They rattle like crazy & very tired internally looking very tatty
The destination displays aren't that easy to read, the dot matrix displays are gd but in bright sun or when its dark their nigh on impossible to read sometimes. Why haven't the citaros been fitted with led displays???
Also dunno if anyone else has noticed this but a few of firsts drivers are incredibly rude to passengers. Couple i've come across talk really quietly to passengers then have a go when they've gotta repeat themselves c'mopn what gives what is their problem?
Its all relative, the buses are coming up to being 14 years old. When compared to Darts of a similar age the buses are very quiet, comfortable and look good. Agreed about the displays, maybe it is because LED displays were relatively new when the bus was built.
(31/12/2013 10:13)Mayneway Wrote:(31/12/2013 06:49)jimbo Wrote: That woman who said "why are you late?" She must jot understand this world, buses are late due to traffic, slow buses, traffic lights, slow customers or those needing help, and annoying customers constantly asking them why they are late...
It's a man Jimbo and he's a councillor who sits on the TfGM committee.
I do agree though that if your travelling at peak you should expect the bus to be slightly late.
But in the other hand a lot of bus drivers i experience (not just First either) are very rude. What's more despite the articles claims, stagecoach and First seem to be doing very little to combat the rude unhelpfulness of some of their drivers.
(31/12/2013 11:46)126th street Wrote: People who get on the bus and then engage the driver in a conversation as to why the bus is late are possibly the most idiotic individuals imaginable as they don't appear to realise that they are making the service even later by doing so.
As for the poster who comments that First and Stagecoach should be doing things to 'combat the rude unhelpfulness of some of their drivers': What do you suggest?
Drivers should be respectful to passengers, and passengers do have a right to ask.
Perhaps the 'rudeness' is because of the nature of the job being sat on your own driving through busy town centres all day. It could also be because of poor recruitment/training at bus companies.
Overall though, people tend to remember the rude drivers compared to the friendly ones. I have had few problems with drivers compared to the number of good drivers I have noticed.
RE: First Manchester - Jacob - 31/12/2013 15:46
Dear Fellow Members,
I agree that drivers should be respectful to passengers, because passengers pay the drivers
wages, and without the passengers the driver would be out of a job.
However, In my Opinon drivers should treat the passengers respectfully, if they are treated respectfully, because respect is a two way street.
I am very glad to say that whenever I have boarded a bus, driver's treat me with respect, so I am happy to treat them with the respect they rightfully deserve.
Happy new year!
Yours Sincerly
Jacob
RE: First Manchester - Mayneway - 31/12/2013 16:17
(31/12/2013 11:46)126th street Wrote: People who get on the bus and then engage the driver in a conversation as to why the bus is late are possibly the most idiotic individuals imaginable as they don't appear to realise that they are making the service even later by doing so.
As for the poster who comments that First and Stagecoach should be doing things to 'combat the rude unhelpfulness of some of their drivers': What do you suggest?
Well better customer service skills would be a start.
Don't get me wrong some drivers are great and do a superb job, but the attitude of some drivers, as per the readers comments with the article, is that because one passenger is rude it gives them the right to be obnoxious and rude to every passenger there after and that's wrong. Drivers are paid to do a job and that includes acknowledging passengers as they board and leave the bus.
I would never dream of questioning why a bus is late or trying to pay with a £20 note but yes people do it's a fact of life. I work in retail and deal with some very odd people but I still smile and do my job to the best of my ability.
RE: First Manchester - 126th street - 01/01/2014 15:41
Some drivers are simply not endowed with much in the way of interpersonal skills and there is not a lot that can be done about that.
In the large metropolitan areas operators, even the big groups who are able to pay more than independents, are forever struggling to have enough 'bums on seats' who are able to actually drive competently, and the Driver CPC has done nothing to help that.
Were they able to be paying in the region of £15-20 per hour then they would be in a position to be a lot more choosy about who they took on. For a tenner an hour (and there are many out there which pay substantially less) for the responsibility of driving something pretty big in a congested environment, working shifts and constantly dealing with a proportion of passengers who are no more than idiots, bus operators are never going to be in the perfect position of being able to exclusively employ those who can (a) actually drive; (b) don't fiddle; © turn up every day; and (d) are good at customer service.
It might come as a surprise to those of you who haven't seen the industry from the inside - but that, unfortunately, is the way it is.
RE: First Manchester - Mayneway - 01/01/2014 16:14
I understand that 126th Street.
It's a balancing act and given the number of drivers large operations like Stagecoach and First need, they carnt just go sacking drivers who have poor customer service skills.
But having said that drivers should remember that passengers rude or polite are paying drivers wages, the money has to come from somewhere, and even the little old ladies with shopping trolleys, who lost drivers seem to hate, contribute towards their salerys.
I personally think companies such recognise the good drivers and reward them, not sure how but this will almost certainly spur on the grumpier drivers to be a little more friendly.
RE: First Manchester - M60lad - 01/01/2014 17:56
Well the remaining Dennis Arrow 31929 lives on at Pioneer, it was out on Ashton locals including 346 on Monday infact it seemed to be the only step vehicle out in service
RE: First Manchester - Mayneway - 01/01/2014 18:43
(01/01/2014 17:56)M60lad Wrote: Well the remaining Dennis Arrow 31929 lives on at Pioneer, it was out on Ashton locals including 346 on Monday infact it seemed to be the only step vehicle out in service
It was out yesterday morning as well, sat on layover for half an hour with engine running!
Considering the step entrance vehicles at Pioneer are only there for schools [interworked with normal services] is seems crazy that they choose to use this in the school holidays when the PVR is lower. I've said it before but surly there's enough low floor vehicles during the holidays?
RE: First Manchester - SF07 - 02/01/2014 18:55
Documents for next Friday's TfGM Bus Committee meeting are now online with changes for end of the month included. First will be introducing some extra early Sunday morning journeys on several routes into Manchester.
*8 - New Sunday journeys at 0635 from Bolton to Manchester and 0735 from Manchester to Bolton
*17 - New Sunday journeys at 0635 from Middleton to Manchester and 0637 from Rochdale to Manchester (replaces 0707 Middleton-Manchester)
*36 - New Sunday journeys at 0615 from Bolton to Manchester and 0725, 1809 and 1907 from Manchester to Bolton
*67 - Nightbus journeys re-timed to run 15 mins later from Manchester and 20 mins later from Peel Green
*83 - New Sunday journeys at 0551 from Oldham to Manchester and 0640 from Manchester to Oldham/Sholver
*135 - New Sunday journeys at 0635 from Bury to Manchester and 0723 from Manchester to Bury
*184 - New Sunday journeys at 0641 from Oldham to Manchester and 0720 from Manchester to Uppermill (replaces 0739 Hollinwood-Uppermill journey)
*410/411 - TfGM propose re-routing of services to serve Derker Metrolink station
*484 - TfGM propose the 0812 weekday journey from Prestwich and 0821 weekday journey from Eccles to not serve Ash Drive/Moss Lane in Wardley and Mossfield Road in Swinton.
The increase in frequency on the 180 is also mentioned, which was covered in the Oldham Evening Chronicle last month.
Also, competition is set to arrive on the 472/474 circular routes between Bury and Ramsbottom, as Rosso are planning a 20 minute frequency service at the end of the month.
http://www.transportforgreatermanchestercommittee.gov.uk/tfgmc/download/downloads/id/4740/item_10_forthcoming_changes_to_the_bus_network