TfGM-website, timetable updates and general news concerning TfGM bus stations.

[splashoutradio]

There appears to be the new "Metroshuttle" timetables in the forthcoming timetables section of the First Manchester website.

I may be wrong, but would this not be in connection with the later running buses that are put on yearly for Christmas shopping?

 

[Volvodart]

The change on the 2 route was mentioned to be happening with the new contract.

 

[splashoutradio]

Something which may be of interest, which I noticed whist travelling on a Stagecoach Wigan bus this afternoon, is that the local network is to have it's services renumbered from 1 to 10(A). It'll take a bit of getting used to, and possibly create a some confusion where multiple busses with the same number operate within close proximity (example below,) but I rather like it.

(2- Wigan, Hawkley & Pemberton circular / 2- Bolton, Trafford Centre and Warrington / 2- Manchester Metroshuttle, etc.)

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Will the number of "Metroshuttle" routes in Manchester be reduced from three to two?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Something which may be of interest, which I noticed whist travelling on a Stagecoach Wigan bus this afternoon, is that the local network is to have it's services renumbered from 1 to 10(A). It'll take a bit of getting used to, and possibly create a some confusion where multiple busses with the same number operate within close proximity (example below,) but I rather like it.

(2- Wigan, Hawkley & Pemberton circular / 2- Bolton, Trafford Centre and Warrington / 2- Manchester Metroshuttle, etc.)

I wonder why, since a double digit number (10) is proposed for the service 600, why number 11 rather than 10a is not proposed for the service 601. The only other service 11 that could clash numerically with it would be the Stockport-Wythenshawe-Altrincham service which is very many miles removed from the area covered by the existing 601 service.

 

[gnolife]

I wonder why, since a double digit number (10) is proposed for the service 600, why number 11 rather than 10a is not proposed for the service 601. The only other service 11 that could clash numerically with it would be the Stockport-Wythenshawe-Altrincham service which is very many miles removed from the area covered by the existing 601 service.

The 601 is a very minor variation on the 600, going a slightly different way through Ashton-in-Makerfield and also making one additional stop in Lowton. It runs evenings and Sundays only, complementing the service on the 600

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

The 601 is a very minor variation on the 600, going a slightly different way through Ashton-in-Makerfield and also making one additional stop in Lowton. It runs evenings and Sundays only, complementing the service on the 600

Agreed, but it does carry service number 601 at present.....not 600a.

 

[Blackpudding]

'Free Bus around the city' (of Manchester) now confirmed as a 3 year contract for First.

https://www.firstgroup.com/greater-...heels-motion-later-running-free-bus-service-0

 

[Ianno87]

Agreed, but it does carry service number 601 at present.....not 600a.

600/601 is very historic - presumably from SELNEC/GM Buses Days and their practice (4-characters were never really in 'vogue' were they?)

I guess 10/10A 'brands' the the service more consistently as the '10' (given their similarity and are essentially the same service). Very 'Stagecoach' and their approach to smaller hub networks. Less strong brand with 10/11 (which implies a greater level of difference between the routes)

 

[WatcherZero]

'Free Bus around the city' (of Manchester) now confirmed as a 3 year contract for First.

https://www.firstgroup.com/greater-...heels-motion-later-running-free-bus-service-0

LOL that axing one of the routes and therefore requiring 7 fewer buses is described as having the benefit of 'reducing congestion', and also the asterisk next to the 10 minute frequency maintained which has no footnote but presumably also refers to fewer routes.

As a result of the changes the existing Metroshuttle fleet, comprising three electric and 17 low carbon diesel-electric hybrid vehicles, requires seven fewer operational vehicles, helping to reduce congestion on inner city roads.

 

[Lynford1976]

So other than Arriva, First, Stagecoach and Transdev, does any other operator run bus services into Manchester city centre? I've lost touch with the area.

 

[Redmike]

MCT and Diamond both have a very small presence in the city centre.

 

[mic]

First Rusholme depot is to close in January with routes moved to Queens Rd

 

[daodao]

First Rusholme depot is to close in January with routes moved to Queens Rd

With the withdrawal of route 42, First's only remaining route into South Manchester proper (i.e. beyond Rusholme) is route 41 to Sale via Northenden. I expect that it will be passed over to Stagecoach in the near future, as it will be impractical to run it from the Queens Road depot.

Arriva could run it, as it would complement their other routes into Sale, but I doubt that they have the resources locally and are gradually retrenching. Outside Wigan and Bolton, they now only run 6 services within Greater Manchester (19/245/247/263 in Sale/Altrincham, 10 in Salford and the cut-back 130 from Macclesfield).

 

[Bungle965]

With the withdrawal of route 42, First's only remaining route into South Manchester proper (i.e. beyond Rusholme) is route 41 to Sale via Northenden. I expect that it will be passed over to Stagecoach in the near future, as it will be impractical to run it from the Queens Road depot.

Arriva could run it, as it would complement their other routes into Sale, but I doubt that they have the resources locally and are gradually retrenching. Outside Wigan and Bolton, they now only run 6 services within Greater Manchester (19/245/247/263 in Sale/Altrincham, 10 in Salford and the cut-back 130 from Macclesfield).

Currently the plan is to operate it from Queens Road, but they may just end up giving it up yes.
Sam

 

[mic]

Rusholme streetlites i have seen in service on Rochdale road it turns of just before the city centre

 

[splashoutradio]

Some forthcoming (27 Jan) changes to the Greater Manchester bus network have started to appear on individual operators websites - not much on the TfGM site yet, though.
First Manchester - https://www.firstgroup.com/greater-...ned-changes/service-changes-27th-january-2019
Stagecoach Manchester - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/manchester/service-changes-27-january-2019
Stagecoach Wigan - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promo...er/wigan-service-changes-from-27-january-2019
TfGM (only changes to 715 on-line, currently) - https://www.tfgm.com/public-transport/bus/service-changes

 

[Blackpudding]

Some forthcoming (27 Jan) changes to the Greater Manchester bus network have started to appear on individual operators websites - not much on the TfGM site yet, though.
First Manchester - https://www.firstgroup.com/greater-...ned-changes/service-changes-27th-january-2019
Stagecoach Manchester - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promos-and-offers/manchester/service-changes-27-january-2019
Stagecoach Wigan - https://www.stagecoachbus.com/promo...er/wigan-service-changes-from-27-january-2019
TfGM (only changes to 715 on-line, currently) - https://www.tfgm.com/public-transport/bus/service-changes

And added detail here under 'Forthcoming changes to the Bus Network'
https://www.gmcameetings.co.uk/meet...for_greater_manchester_services_sub-committee

 

[Bungle965]

33
Sigh...

‘The Monday to Saturday daytime service was reduced from 4 buses an hour to 3 buses due to the significant disruption caused by roadworks. Unfortunately passenger numbers have declined and in order to combat the congestion journey times have been increased meaning fewer journey can be operated with the same number of buses and drivers. The continued decline in passenger numbers means that even this reduced level of service is no longer sustainable and a further reduction has been registered for 28th January. In order to assist punctuality we are revising the outbound route from 9th December.’

I seem to remember that the 33 had a good service level a couple of years ago. The roadworks have caused nothing but chaos to the roads of Manchester, the frequency dropping now is not exactly going to entice people out of their cars and onto the bus and cut the level of cars on the road.
That as well as the fares going up (A First daysaver is now a chingy £5, in my opinion that's steep for the level of service that they are currently providing).

Good to see that a CrossCity service back, with the 42 being scrapped and replaced by the 41 which is extended to Middleton via North Manchester General Hospital. I do actually admit having doubts when the original 42 (Middleton to East Didsbury) was cut into two services (As a result of roadworks in Manchester) whether or not a CrossCity service would return or they would simply run it from then on as two separate services.
The North Manchester service got the rough end of the stick in terms of the vehicles with Enviro 400s replaced by Volvo B7RLE's from Queens Road depot.

Interesting about Rosso introducing a 457 to directly compete with First (and to a lesser extent Yorkshire Tiger) between Rochdale and Littleborough. I predict that this service will do well as long as it can deal with the traffic problems which are becoming quite prominent from Littleborough towards Rochdale (and vice versa).
Certainly in the morning and evening peak services often leave people behind, this is especially problematic on the 590 where it can often leave people behind from Rochdale who might want to go to Walsden/Todmordon or other West Yorkshire towns (I don't believe that they can add vehicle capacity to that route either due to the depot not being able to fit double decker buses!)

Sam

 

[Yorks185]

Interesting about Rosso introducing a 457 to directly compete with First (and to a lesser extent Yorkshire Tiger) between Rochdale and Littleborough. I predict that this service will do well as long as it can deal with the traffic problems which are becoming quite prominent from Littleborough towards Rochdale (and vice versa).
Certainly in the morning and evening peak services often leave people behind, this is especially problematic on the 590 where it can often leave people behind from Rochdale who might want to go to Walsden/Todmordon or other West Yorkshire towns (I don't believe that they can add vehicle capacity to that route either due to the depot not being able to fit double decker buses!)

Sam

Todmorden outstation (i think thats the one your thinking of) can now accommodate DDs since it became a full open air space a few year agos,but i think its more down to the Halifax end of the 590 not needing DDs due to the higher frequency/major roadworks around Hebden Br/Mytholmroyd area no doubt making some passengers look for alternative travel.

 

[Bungle965]

Todmorden outstation (i think thats the one your thinking of) can now accommodate DDs since it became a full open air space a few year agos,but i think its more down to the Halifax end of the 590 not needing DDs due to the higher frequency/major roadworks around Hebden Br/Mytholmroyd area no doubt making some passengers look for alternative travel.

Oh!
Thanks for that, I didn't realise they could accommodate double dekcers now!
Funny situation whereby the Eastern extremity as you say does not need deckers while the west most definitely does.
Hopefully, the new 456 should alleviate some of that.
Sam

 

[Statto]

One change that's been missed is the Monday to Friday 125 no longer serves Walton Summit, buses now follow the evening & weekend route from Clayton Brook to Bamber Bridge.

 

[Volvodart]

£100m partnership blueprint to revolutionise Greater Manchester's bus network

http://rochdaleonline.co.uk/news-features/2/news-headlines/125608/£100m-partnership-blueprint-to-revolutionise-greater-manchesters-bus-network

£100m partnership blueprint to revolutionise Greater Manchester's bus network
Date published: 23 January 2019

Greater Manchester’s bus operators have today (Wednesday 23 January) launched a ground-breaking £100m partnership blueprint to revolutionise the bus network and deliver on the region's world-class ambitions.

Plans unveiled by OneBus would deliver better connectivity for local communities, ease the cost of travel and tackle the region's growing congestion and air pollution crisis. This collaborative approach will both improve services for customers and support politicians’ aspirations for economic growth.

The bus operators' blueprint, which is consistent with the new powers in the Bus Services Act, proposes:

450 new low emissions buses over the next three years to boost the region's air quality, with the first 150 delivered by 2020

More flexible and simplified tickets, recommendation of two-year price freeze on multi-operator bus fares, and more affordable travel for people of all ages

An action plan for Transport for Greater Manchester and other agencies to tackle congestion hotspots, speed up journeys and cut gridlock

A single unified brand identity for all bus services, with individual operator buses clearly identifiable as part of a partnership

Improved integration of bus, tram and rail services

Joint bus network review to maximise connectivity for passengers, including the evaluation of the potential for off-peak, limited stop, night time or 24 hour services

Better on-board customer experience, including extension of free Wi-Fi across the bus fleet

A fully co-ordinated, central approach to traffic management, customer contact and travel information

Greater Manchester has one of the most extensive and greenest bus networks outside London, with weekly travel from around £2 per day, contactless ticketing, and live bus journey information. Last year, bus operators also worked with the mayor to deliver half price bus travel for 16 to 18-year-olds and are in discussions to extend the benefit to offer free travel, with the costs being met by the Combined Authority.

But concern is growing over the impact of too many cars on the region's roads. Figures from the Department for Transport show that there were more than 1.14million cars licensed in Greater Manchester at the end of 2017, some 17,600 more than in 2016 and 75,400 more than in 2012.

Congestion has negatively impacted on bus punctuality, costs and fares, while also damaging public confidence in buses. Additionally, more than a third of these vehicles are diesel cars, contributing to the growing air quality crisis.

Gary Nolan, chief executive of OneBus, said: “Buses are central to the future of Greater Manchester and this positive package of proposals can make a real difference to tackling the biggest challenges facing our communities: road congestion and air quality.

“Building on the significant investment already made by operators, there is a window of opportunity for everyone to work together to deliver a revolution in the region's bus network that puts customers first and offers excellent value for both passengers and public investment."

The Mayor and Greater Manchester Combined Authority are currently considering the future of buses and are evaluating an alternative franchising option. This would see taxpayers become responsible for the full cost of the bus network instead of the current system where the majority of costs are covered by bus operators.

The only place in the UK where a franchising system operates is in London where bus use has fallen 6% in the past three years, Transport for London is facing a £700m deficit and many bus services are having to be cut.

In Greater Manchester, the last time bus services were operated by local transport authorities, between the mid-1970s and mid-1980s, the bus network was decimated. Bus numbers were slashed by more than 20%, with 650 buses cut from the network. Passenger numbers plummeted by 35%, and between 1975 and 1980 alone, the cost of bus fares increased by 379%.

Mr Nolan said: "Franchising is being presented as a zero cost guaranteed route to better buses services, but this is a myth. The major investments we are proposing can be delivered far quicker through a partnership approach and without the risk and extra cost under any alternative model.

"Only by bus operators, the Mayor and the region's local authorities working together, can we give Greater Manchester, its economy and its communities the dynamic bus network to shape our world-class city region."

 

[HSTEd]

In other words, bus companies desperate to prevent franchising offer us a few baubles.
Complete with absurd cherry picking of statistics.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

In other words, bus companies desperate to prevent franchising offer us a few baubles.
Complete with absurd cherry picking of statistics.

450 new low emission buses over the next three years is something worthwhile.

 

[Rod Harrison]

In other words, bus companies desperate to prevent franchising offer us a few baubles.
Complete with absurd cherry picking of statistics.

If London can’t operate at break even with the massive congestion charges subsisdising services what’s the point? The Onebus plan seems a good, and cheaper, idea. Also, whenever Government, local or National, get involved running a business they make a mess of it. They starve them of funds because they always find something ‘more important ‘ to spend it on. Given the state of Brexit I would let a politician run my loacal chippy never mind transport services no matter which party it was as they are all a waste of space!!

 

[_toommm_]

168 cut which is rather interesting, so it seems another cut on Newmarket Road down to Droylsden - IIRC the 169 went last year too.

On the upside, we now have 4 services per hour to Manchester, and the 168 'replacement', the 230, is a fast one too..

 

[HSTEd]

If London can’t operate at break even with the massive congestion charges subsisdising services what’s the point? The Onebus plan seems a good, and cheaper, idea. Also, whenever Government, local or National, get involved running a business they make a mess of it. They starve them of funds because they always find something ‘more important ‘ to spend it on. Given the state of Brexit I would let a politician run my loacal chippy never mind transport services no matter which party it was as they are all a waste of space!!

The cherry picking of statistics in that press release borders on the absurd.
Deregulated buses have presided over the collapse of ridership in every part of the country where buses were deregulated (the notable exception being London!)

The franchised model in London is the only one which has not seen ridership crater over the last 20 years.
The model espoused by the bus companies has failed, and failed badly.

450 new low emission buses over the next three years is something worthwhile.

Given that these will inevitably take the place of conventional bus orders and will not be additional vehicles, the cost of this improvement is rather small in reality.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

Given that these will inevitably take the place of conventional bus orders and will not be additional vehicles, the cost of this improvement is rather small in reality.

You miss my point, which is that these are low-emission vehicles and better in all respects than what came before.

 

[carlberry]

The cherry picking of statistics in that press release borders on the absurd.
Deregulated buses have presided over the collapse of ridership in every part of the country where buses were deregulated (the notable exception being London!)

The franchised model in London is the only one which has not seen ridership crater over the last 20 years.
The model espoused by the bus companies has failed, and failed badly.

It's good that nobody else does selective quoting of statistics!
The problem is London had a different delivery model and a completely different level of public finance. Outside London the delivery model has produced good results in certain areas requiring limited public finance, none at all in recent years in some areas.

London has required a massive amount of public money, some of which has now been stopped and the effect of this is already being seen. It also has the congestion charge which both boosts buses and supplies even more money. It's also had money to implement pro public transport works, recently compromised by the amount of space and money given over to cycling.

Just changing the delivery model will achieve next to nothing. The things that could achieve big change are increasing the amount of money available for buses and increasing the road space available for them. Both of these are already under the control of local politicians and they've mostly failed to deliver. This isn't going to change!