JasonL
Member
Would it be to do with the new 612 route that is starting soon?Currently laid up at Wigan, can't say why as yet.
Would it be to do with the new 612 route that is starting soon?Currently laid up at Wigan, can't say why as yet.
I can see Oldham having the 50 BYD E400 EVs, 60 E400 EVs, 64 Streetdeck Electroliners and 16 GB KitesThere's a possibility they might considering they are owned by TfGM and with Hyde Road getting it's whole depot "cleaned out" allegedly with new electric buses then it'll would make sense to move them ADE's to Oldham rather than to let's say Ashton or Sharston. As with the small amount of streetdecks went to Wigan from Hyde Road + the two single enviro200mmc's then TfGM can to do it to any vehicle they 'own'.
Presume if that happens, the E400EV's would get their originally intended Stagecoach numbers??? 80122-80145I can see Oldham having the 50 BYD E400 EVs, 60 E400 EVs, 64 Streetdeck Electroliners and 16 GB Kites
Not seen any reports of any through Birkenhead Ferry terminal as of yet, as someone on one of the FB groups does catch most stuff coming through....Has any of the Stagecoach Electroliners for Oldham arrived in the UK yet as I heard someone say last week that they were to enter service in August
I would imagine so as they still have the gap for them so everything is pointing towards them moving to Oldham probably to replace the 24 plate MMCsPresume if that happens, the E400EV's would get their originally intended Stagecoach numbers??? 80122-80145
Seemingly, Wrightbus have been completing the Merseyside orders first for Stagecoach and Go North West Merseyside, but I imagine once they have finished, Oldham's first batch of 55 StreetDecks will start to arriveNot seen any reports of any through Birkenhead Ferry terminal as of yet, as someone on one of the FB groups does catch most stuff coming through....
The first of the Manchester ones, 82451, was pictured at least a couple of months back on test so I suspect a fair few will be ready for deliverySeemingly, Wrightbus have been completing the Merseyside orders first for Stagecoach and Go North West Merseyside, but I imagine once they have finished, Oldham's first batch of 55 StreetDecks will start to arrive
Probably will be delivered when all of Liverpool's ones are delivered.Has any of the Stagecoach Electroliners for Oldham arrived in the UK yet as I heard someone say last week that they were to enter service in August
It could be either late August or early September when they arrive into serviceThe first of the Manchester ones, 82451, was pictured at least a couple of months back on test so I suspect a fair few will be ready for delivery
It's fair to say, they'll be here when they're here...It could be either late August or early September when they arrive into service
They will likely be sold on if they aren't shoehorned in anywhere else.13163 and 13170 are both officially withdrawn and have been returned to TFGM with their future now unknown
Unless they've got unrepairable damage, TFGM will probably sell them via Ensign. Similarly with the Scanias and Volvo B9TL Geminis, TFGM probably want the most money out of them as they can get. I'm sure that they'll have good use somewhere else however, and that goes for both batches of B5LH Gemini 2s at Stagecoach.13163 and 13170 are both officially withdrawn and have been returned to TFGM with their future now unknown
13163 probably won't see passenger service again as it's not been in service for almost a year, but for 13170 I'm not so sureUnless they've got unrepairable damage, TFGM will probably sell them via Ensign. Similarly with the Scanias and Volvo B9TL Geminis, TFGM probably want the most money out of them as they can get. I'm sure that they'll have good use somewhere else however, and that goes for both batches of B5LH Gemini 2s at Stagecoach.
Can you stop assuming it will be scrapped and won’t see passenger use again etc - it’s getting slightly boring.13163 probably won't see passenger service again as it's not been in service for almost a year, but for 13170 I'm not so sure
Pretty sure it’s 5 years with the option to extend by a further 2 years if both TFGM and the operator are happy and performance targets are being met. Given the cost element TFGM have met, and are still dealing with im pretty sure they will want contracts to roll on.My understanding is that most of the Tranche 1 Small Franchises (operated by Diamond Bus) are due to expire in March 2027. Presumably the procurement process is well underway by now. Does anyone have any idea when an announcement will be made on who will operate them ? Seems only 2 minutes since they started !
The large contracts are 5 plus 2 as you say but the smaller ones were 3 years. They should be up this year but have been extended by six months.Can you stop assuming it will be scrapped and won’t see passenger use again etc - it’s getting slightly boring.
TFGM have probably decided it’s not cost effective to repair whatever is wrong with them, but for the right price I’m sure there’s plenty of operators out there who would snap them up, convert to diesel and the issues are sorted - winner winner!
I know for a fact some of the Scanias’s and B9’s were not in a good way yet have been sold on and not scrapped.
There’s a healthy market for these B5’s and I’d bet money they DO see passenger service again in the future!
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Pretty sure it’s 5 years with the option to extend by a further 2 years if both TFGM and the operator are happy and performance targets are being met. Given the cost element TFGM have met, and are still dealing with im pretty sure they will want contracts to roll on.
It also mentions in the same document that T1 schools have a 1 year extension option and this will be exercised.2. Update on small franchise and school franchise re-
procurement
2.1. In December 2022 TfGM and GMCA entered into the first set of bus franchise
contracts covering ‘Tranche 1’ of the Franchising Scheme. For the purposes of
transition, the Franchising Scheme included three ‘tranches’ which allowed TfGM
and GMCA to franchise the network in stages. TfGM are responsible for managing
bus franchising on behalf of GMCA under delegated authority and now that the
initial procurements process has been completed, the franchises will be re-procured
as a rolling programme of procurements that TfGM will undertake as and when
each franchise contract is due to expire.
2.2. The first franchise contracts included seven small franchises in the Wigan and
Bolton areas. These franchises were awarded to Diamond Bus (North West)
Limited. Services started on 24 September 2023 and five of those franchises
(Bolton North, Bolton South, Bury Farnworth, Leigh Atherton and Wigan East) were
initially let with a contract term of three years, expiring on 20 September 2026. The
two other franchises (Farnworth Blackrod and Salford) are due to expire in
September 2027 and September 2028, respectively. 2.3. Consideration has been given to determine the subsequent contract length and
scope of those franchises and the merits and means of achieving coterminous
expiry with T1 large franchises.
2.4. As part of the current procurement activity, TfGM and GMCA, under delegated
authority, have agreed a circa six-month extension of those five franchise contracts
that were due to expire on 20 September 2026, such that they will now expire on 7
March 2027. As the contracts do not allow for any extension, these extensions will
amount to a modification of those contracts. These modifications are compliant with
The Utilities Contract Regulations 2016.
2.5. The re-procured franchises will therefore take effect from 7 March 2027. The
number and the scope of these franchise packages will be confirmed at a later date.
2.6. The current indicative process for re-procuring these franchises is to undertake
market engagement in June 2025, to issue the Invitation to Negotiate in September
2025 and to subsequently award a contract in April/June 2026. The award process
will require a decision of GMCA officers under delegated authority ahead of those
contracts being awarded to the successful bidding operator(s).
According to bustimes: 13163 was last used 31 Aug 2025 and 13170 last used 16 Mar 2026 (or their associated ticket machines!)13163 probably won't see passenger service again as it's not been in service for almost a year, but for 13170 I'm not so sure

My picture of 82452 seen at the Stena Line Terminal on the Wirral, 20/7/202684252 has arrived at the docks, picture posted yesterday.
It arrived at Oldham on Wednesday (22/7) and is apparently being used for driver vehicle familiarisation.My picture of 82452 seen at the Stena Line Terminal on the Wirral, 20/7/2026
I will attempt to spot it whilst out and about and get a photo of itIt arrived at Oldham on Wednesday (22/7) and is apparently being used for driver vehicle familiarisation.
82454 has also arrived at OldhamIt arrived at Oldham on Wednesday (22/7) and is apparently being used for driver vehicle familiarisation.
It will be if it's a 26 plate because if it went out in service in September then it would have received a 76 plate possibly?82454 has it's 26 plate on so I reckon it will be ready for service in August
Well a lot of the drivers have to be trained on the new type, and with only 2 buses being present, I very much doubt they'll be entering service in August. We will have to wait and see, and also not guess to just let the process happen.82454 has it's 26 plate on so I reckon it will be ready for service in August
If the bus goes on driver/type training before September, it will retain its 26 plateIt will be if it's a 26 plate because if it went out in service in September then it would have received a 76 plate possibly?
That means nothing in relation to service entry - some of the BZLs that entered service at Middleton are 74 plates despite entering service in December 2025!82454 has it's 26 plate on so I reckon it will be ready for service in August
It’s to do when a vehicle is first taxed if it ends up being taxed after the newer plate is out then a vehicle is re registered onto the newer plate.That means nothing in relation to service entry - some of the BZLs that entered service at Middleton are 74 plates despite entering service in December 2025!