First Manchester

[Benzo]

RE: First Manchester

(10/11/2012 21:22)SF07 Wrote:  

(10/11/2012 19:04)Metroline1511 Wrote:  Thanks for this list Dave. Whether or not 33718 is in service yet, this indicates that the Enviro400s are as good as all in service now. Ironically, I am now likely to be postponing a ride on one from November 24th to December 29th. I often see double-deckers on First's route 22 journeys now, and Volvo B7RLEs less than before.

I think since the Enviros have arrived at Bolton and Oldham depots, there has been a case of some routes moving up a step in terms of vehicles used. 22 has definitely become more of a B9TL/Enviro service instead of a B7RLE, 163s have been upgraded from Citaros and B7RLEs to more B9TLs. 348/350 also have gained B9TLs in place of Darts. B7RLEs were used on the 408 today replacing the older Darts that were used.

Noticed more of the standard B9TLs being used on the 17/18. noticeable less of them hybrids on them. And the 471 too run full D/D now with the extra B9's from BN

[Metroline1511]

RE: First Manchester

(10/11/2012 21:22)SF07 Wrote:  I think since the Enviros have arrived at Bolton and Oldham depots, there has been a case of some routes moving up a step in terms of vehicles used. 22 has definitely become more of a B9TL/Enviro service instead of a B7RLE, 163s have been upgraded from Citaros and B7RLEs to more B9TLs. 348/350 also have gained B9TLs in place of Darts. B7RLEs were used on the 408 today replacing the older Darts that were used.

Another route I think has been upgraded is the 149 from elderly Darts to Volvo B7RLEs.

About route 22, not only have First upgraded their share to largely Enviro400/Volvo B9TL, but potentially Stagecoach could also upgrade their share to Enviro400 once the Hybrids arrive for route 192. Even if the 20 newest ones go to Wigan, ironically being sold from First to Stagecoach, this will still leave around 20 spare double-deckers at Stockport for routes like the 22.

[P528LND]

RE: First Manchester
Pfft, everyone being upgraded and the likes of the 425 in Oldham has been riddled with Citaro's! Where have our B7RLE's gone?! We should have got B9TL's to be quite honest in all of this, since the decrease in frequency I've noticed buses are rediculously full at certain times...

[Quackdave]

RE: First Manchester

(10/11/2012 12:26)Quackdave Wrote:  The only one unaccounted for appears to be 33718 - anyone have an allocation for it?

Looks like 33718 is at Bolton.

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester

(11/11/2012 10:27)P528LND Wrote:  Pfft, everyone being upgraded and the likes of the 425 in Oldham has been riddled with Citaro's! Where have our B7RLE's gone?! We should have got B9TL's to be quite honest in all of this, since the decrease in frequency I've noticed buses are rediculously full at certain times...

Did see a B9TL on the 425 yesterday along with a B7RLE along with a few Citaros. The Citaros that moved back to Oldham recently seem to have been used the most on the 24, 149 and 425 with the occasional appearance on the 181/182.

149s are a mixture of B7RLEs and Citaros, while the ex-Tameside Darts are pretty much on the 415. 402/406/410/411 still using the Solos.

[M60lad]

RE: First Manchester
Speaking of Citaroes has anybody seen 64029 recently only I was talking to a Bury Driver I know last week and he's adamant that he hasn't seen it for a while either in the depot or out in service, just wondering if its still about and if it isn't where has it gone

[YSV-205]

RE: First Manchester

(11/11/2012 11:23)Quackdave Wrote:  

(10/11/2012 12:26)Quackdave Wrote:  The only one unaccounted for appears to be 33718 - anyone have an allocation for it?

Looks like 33718 is at Bolton.

I would agree too. I was in Bolton on 30th October collecting numbers & saw 33718 there

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester
Found some photos on Flickr, which is of a couple of Solos (40013 and 40181), which have arrived at Oldham depot from Chester over the weekend.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/46868364@N04/8179541810/

[jonesy3001]

RE: First Manchester
Spotted 66935 or 925 on the 81 on saturday, is it a transfer from yorkshire as it had yj plates?

[P528LND]

RE: First Manchester

(13/11/2012 01:58)jonesy3001 Wrote:  Spotted 66935 or 925 on the 81 on saturday, is it a transfer from yorkshire as it had yj plates?

69325 I'm guessing you mean, yes it transferred to us along with 69326/7/8 and 69420.