First Manchester

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester
New bus interchange at Oldham Mumps opened today with buses stopping either side of the new tram stop. Services have been grouped together with 58/59 and 350 running from stands A (to Oldham) and D (from Oldham), 81/81A, 82N/83 running from stands B (to Oldham) and E (from Oldham), while the 180/184, 343 and 425 run from stands C and F. Would imagine the new interchange will see drivers changes return to Mumps instead of bottom of Yorkshire Street and Union Street.

[YSV-205]

RE: First Manchester

(20/01/2014 20:19)SF07 Wrote:  Was a bit surprised to see 37374 heading into Manchester along Higher Cambridge Street this morning on the 99, until I realised that they operate the 0815 weekday journey from Whalley Range High School to Manchester and wasn't a case of a First bus operating a Finglands service.

OFT website still has a expected decision date of 27 January (next Monday), so not long to go (in theory) until we find out whether the First/Finglands takeover is cleared

http://www.oft.gov.uk/OFTwork/mergers/Me...s8GkfRNRni

Having just looked at the above link, the OFT have approved the First takeover of Finglands.

[joe_alker]

RE: First Manchester
41787 broke down today on 393, replaced by an Olympian. Does anyone know why the Arrow on the 393 went onto the 39 before the 8.30 depature? NEVER seen that before, very p***ed off. As for 41787, it was late leaving the layby and jumped on a 331 to school instead, warning my friend "that bus is going to break down, it's a s******e". And it never made it to St Albans Avenue - because my weird premonition came true!

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester

(27/01/2014 14:09)YSV-205 Wrote:  Having just looked at the above link, the OFT have approved the First takeover of Finglands.

First Manchester/Finglands takeover has been given the all-clear. The transfer of services should take place on 9 February 2014. Some Finglands vehicles will be used as First start to integrate their vehicles into the fleet.

No official line yet from First.

http://www.manchestereveningnews.co.uk/n...ny-6599876

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester
Streetlite 63104 out in service on the 527 today (credit to photographer)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25878623@N02/12174708995/

[james]

RE: First Manchester

(27/01/2014 16:47)joe_alker Wrote:  41787 broke down today on 393, replaced by an Olympian. Does anyone know why the Arrow on the 393 went onto the 39 before the 8.30 depature? NEVER seen that before, very p***ed off. As for 41787, it was late leaving the layby and jumped on a 331 to school instead, warning my friend "that bus is going to break down, it's a s******e". And it never made it to St Albans Avenue - because my weird premonition came true!

there was a rewrite eff today so some boards have been changed because off drivers breaks off a 38/9 this was chaos today due to drivers not sure of whats where (stand changes)and changes to breaks plus the allocation was parked wrong so had a marshall and an olympian behind each othere on 348s at 1503/1513 with 4924? on 331/389s

[YSV-205]

RE: First Manchester

(27/01/2014 19:39)SF07 Wrote:  Streetlite 63104 out in service on the 527 today (credit to photographer)

http://www.flickr.com/photos/25878623@N02/12174708995/

Does this mean all those other "stored" Streetlites may, at last, get used in revenue earning service?

[Mayneway]

RE: First Manchester

(27/01/2014 21:50)james Wrote:  

(27/01/2014 16:47)joe_alker Wrote:  41787 broke down today on 393, replaced by an Olympian. Does anyone know why the Arrow on the 393 went onto the 39 before the 8.30 depature? NEVER seen that before, very p***ed off. As for 41787, it was late leaving the layby and jumped on a 331 to school instead, warning my friend "that bus is going to break down, it's a s******e". And it never made it to St Albans Avenue - because my weird premonition came true!

there was a rewrite eff today so some boards have been changed because off drivers breaks off a 38/9 this was chaos today due to drivers not sure of whats where (stand changes)and changes to breaks plus the allocation was parked wrong so had a marshall and an olympian behind each othere on 348s at 1503/1513 with 4924? on 331/389s

It's strange seeing the 348 loading at the old 231 stand and just an hour ago everything running from their normal stands. I hope it's for good this time!

Sad to see both B9's tonight on 348/350's kicking passengers off on main road again. With all the improvements to the bus station recently and now the doing away with evening/Sunday stands (and 4 complaints to First!) it really annoys me that this still goes on.

[joe_alker]

RE: First Manchester

(27/01/2014 23:19)Mayneway Wrote:  

(27/01/2014 21:50)james Wrote:  

(27/01/2014 16:47)joe_alker Wrote:  41787 broke down today on 393, replaced by an Olympian. Does anyone know why the Arrow on the 393 went onto the 39 before the 8.30 depature? NEVER seen that before, very p***ed off. As for 41787, it was late leaving the layby and jumped on a 331 to school instead, warning my friend "that bus is going to break down, it's a s******e". And it never made it to St Albans Avenue - because my weird premonition came true!

there was a rewrite eff today so some boards have been changed because off drivers breaks off a 38/9 this was chaos today due to drivers not sure of whats where (stand changes)and changes to breaks plus the allocation was parked wrong so had a marshall and an olympian behind each othere on 348s at 1503/1513 with 4924? on 331/389s

It's strange seeing the 348 loading at the old 231 stand and just an hour ago everything running from their normal stands. I hope it's for good this time!

Sad to see both B9's tonight on 348/350's kicking passengers off on main road again. With all the improvements to the bus station recently and now the doing away with evening/Sunday stands (and 4 complaints to First!) it really annoys me that this still goes on.

The chaos has continued today, with 393s turning up 20minutes late and our old friend 41797 returning, sounding very unhealthy with a knackered gearbox and crawling up Union Road

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester
Confirmation on First's website about the cleared takeover of Finglands. They will announce soon plans about 'additional fleet investment', along with plans for tickets. Finglands current range of tickets will still be available along with FirstDay and FirstWeek tickets.