Stagecoach Manchester

[Mayneway]

RE: Stagecoach Manchester

(19/02/2014 22:39)ace Wrote:  

(19/02/2014 15:36)rod_259 Wrote:  

(17/02/2014 15:19)jimbo Wrote:  One on the 80, other on 112 - I know they also use magic buses for oldham academy school

With all the deckers being released by the Hybrids would have thought a handful could have gone to update Middleton and replace Magic buses and the 'red' one!

I'm guessing Middleton's use of the Olympian Magic buses is probably more a preservation exercise than anything else. In the next 3 years they won't be allowed to use them anyway under DDA rules, so if they want to preserve them, for now Middleton is the obvious choice, given that other depots in Manchester have newer buses already for schools.
The red one has already been replaced unofficially by an Enviro400 (which keeps changing) loaned from Hyde Road. I think is due to mechanical problems.
I reckon though that the next batch of Single Deckers ordered for Manchester will probably go to Middleton to replace the sheds there, but for now they're making do with the MAN's currently in reserve.

I'm not so sure.
Interestingly the two white Darts which were acquired by Bluebird when they took over the 44 from Haytons, which Stagecoach never used, have recently been moved from the rear of Hyde Road to other depots to be extensively refurbished then painted into Stagecoach livery then returned to Middleton where they will see use. So it wouldn't surprise me if other old Bluebird stock which has been left sitting about night return to active service in Middleton in the near furute

As for the magic buses, I can see them hanging around for the near future as there handy for schools and provide extra capacity on Saturdays on normal services.