Recent content by Rod Harrison

Nationalisation? Why? Suppose they could reduce Retirement Pensions by 20% to pay for it they don’t vote Labour!

It isn't strange that all the bus franchises have been given to large, foreign owned, companies. This Labour Government is closing down North Sea oil and gas so we'll have to buy from the Middle East. Why let British business benefit when you can send the profits abroad. Franchising will...

I agree much better than local livery. What with rebranding of First, Stagecoach and Manchester Bee Network people should invest spare cash in by Spain ethers and suppliers.

I've been to Middleton in North Manchester today and saw how dull and dreary the Bee Network livery is with its plain yellow and, unlike London, no operator branding. Prior to franchising, it used to have a varied, and interesting, number of liveries.

I doubt if it was 'gazillions' after taking account of all the new buses that were provided. Also I read elsewhere that GMPTE are spending north of £130 million to set up custard bus (Bee Network) over next few years.

I assume the well off Greater Manchester residents are happy to pay for a new bus service and everyone will be happy to use the bus or team instead of their cars even in the shocking weather we're experiencing these days. I read on another forum that it has cost, so far, £137 million to set up...

I was in Manchester the other day. It struck me that Birds could do a deal to sponsor the buses and advertise their custard. It's so bland and was nice to get back to a good range of liveries over past 30 years or so. I also thought that the area around the bus station was so scruffy.

Almost all businesses have pride in their brands which often have cost them a significant amount to build. If they aren't allowed to display their logos then if a Stagecoach, First or Go Ahead bus doesn't turn up regularly they won't be blamed by the customers and as you say, customers couldn't...

Just curious, are companies allowed to put their own corporate logos on repainted Bee Network buses like they are in London? I only ask as have seen them on any photos and only seen them at a distance. Thanks

I haven't seen the livery but I'm guessing that it was gold overlaid with vinyls which would make the decision an easy one until they're repainted in the new livery.

Is it the 'new' gold livery or have they used up paint and painted it in the old livery?

I want to live in cloud cuckoo land too! Last time local authority ran Manchester's buses they were right heaps in the main because there were so many demands on money elsewhere and no cost of living crisis with the government up to it's eyes in debt and unable to help.

People are living in cloud cuckoo land if they believe the claptrap of the Mayors of Greater Manchester and West Yorkshire with their ‘ bus every ten minutes’ and ‘£2 per journey’ etc. etc. Their proposals rely on constant funding from Government and poor bloody Council Tax pares subsidising...

Bus ridership has been on a downward trajectory for years, and will continue. with the car and trams scooping up passengers and the permanent increase in home working. Taking that into account, and the Mayor promising huge increases in bus services’ frequencies and reductions in fares, someone...

See Manchester Airport, owned by the local councils, is a great example of organising a transport system. Should be fun when they get hold of local bus services. Booze ups and breweries spring to mind!!