TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion

[Class 466]

It says 55 more in there and 76 was inspected on inspection from Burnham so does that mean there’s now 131

Yep - the 76 order is for Go North West for Vantage and 8/10. No idea what or where the other 55 are for

 

[mattyharding]

Yep - the 76 order is for Go North West for Vantage and 8/10. No idea what or where the other 55 are for

Could be for either Hyde Road or Oldham but if it was it would probably be for Hyde Road as Stagecoach prefers ADL products whereas Metroline has Streetdeck ultraliners already

 

[ReturnToSPT]

Noted a few 192s in recent weeks fully stagecoach branded, with the school bus icon on the front, no bee network stickers. Anyone know what’s going on there?

 

[mattyharding]

Noted a few 192s in recent weeks fully stagecoach branded, with the school bus icon on the front, no bee network stickers. Anyone know what’s going on there?

That was for the Rail Replacements when Piccadilly was shut and Stockport got the Little Hulton MMCs as a temporary boost for the 192

 

[M60lad]

They were from Little Hulton Depot and were being used as floating extras while the Railway line between Piccadilly and Stockport was closed, I'm sure they are all back at Little Hulton Depot now on School Duties.

 

[Class 466]

Could be for either Hyde Road or Oldham but if it was it would probably be for Hyde Road as Stagecoach prefers ADL products whereas Metroline has Streetdeck ultraliners already

Stagecoach have numerous Electroliners in operation in London. The days of them being ADL leaning are long gone.

 

[gka472l]

Stagecoach have numerous Electroliners in operation in London. The days of them being ADL leaning are long gone.

Indeed, Stagecoach Gillmoss down the other end of the East Lancs Road will be operating 50 'METRO' Electroliners in the near future......

 

[mattyharding]

Stagecoach have numerous Electroliners in operation in London. The days of them being ADL leaning are long gone.

To be honest I don't mind what Oldham gets for it EVs it will still be an upgrade over most of the current fleet we have

 

[toms]

The installation of bus stop information displays is well underway. That I know of, 2 have gone up in Bury and are fully working, that being The Rock Stop CC and Holy Cross College. This is in addition to the one installed at NMGH in December although way more could have been installed I’ve just not had a chance to find out

 

[py_megapixel]

The installation of bus stop information displays is well underway. That I know of, 2 have gone up in Bury and are fully working, that being The Rock Stop CC and Holy Cross College. This is in addition to the one installed at NMGH in December although way more could have been installed I’ve just not had a chance to find out

I've often wondered why GM has taken so long to get displays at stops working. There are loads of old dot matrix ones installed but not showing anything (and I can't remember them ever showing anything in many years as a bus passenger in Manchester).

Of course they all predate the BODS so was it just a case of the operators not wanting to cooperate? Was it that GMPTE (as was) didn't have the funding to maintain the system? Or something else?

I'm glad they're finally doing it but it does feel several years too late

 

[mangad]

I've often wondered why GM has taken so long to get displays at stops working. There are loads of old dot matrix ones installed but not showing anything (and I can't remember them ever showing anything in many years as a bus passenger in Manchester).

Of course they all predate the BODS so was it just a case of the operators not wanting to cooperate? Was it that GMPTE (as was) didn't have the funding to maintain the system? Or something else?

I'm glad they're finally doing it but it does feel several years too late

If it helps, I was in Wales recently and went past numerous bus stops where they had displays built into the bus stop flag. None of which did anything. Yes, it's taken too long to get them in Greater Manchester. But better than having a load of screens that now sit there doing nothing I guess!

 

[toms]

I've often wondered why GM has taken so long to get displays at stops working. There are loads of old dot matrix ones installed but not showing anything (and I can't remember them ever showing anything in many years as a bus passenger in Manchester).

Of course they all predate the BODS so was it just a case of the operators not wanting to cooperate? Was it that GMPTE (as was) didn't have the funding to maintain the system? Or something else?

I'm glad they're finally doing it but it does feel several years too late

I recall something being said that drivers/companies were against them. All I remember them displaying was “GMPTE” with the time underneath. The displays installed are brand new LCD screens, there is already a dot matrix info display from the GMPTE days at holy cross which now accompanies the new display. Would be nice if they removed the old one really.

 

[py_megapixel]

I recall something being said that drivers/companies were against them. All I remember them displaying was “GMPTE” with the time underneath.

Curious. Do you know why they are against them?

The only thing I can think of is that if passengers could track the buses they would be more dissatisfied with late running, which might then result in passengers giving the drivers a hard time. In general though I think the availability of live running information makes passengers more patient not less.

The displays installed are brand new LCD screens, there is already a dot matrix info display from the GMPTE days at holy cross which now accompanies the new display. Would be nice if they removed the old one really.

Yes, I've seen the one at NMGH and it seems to work well. I was a bit concerned that an LCD display might be illegible outdoors, but they've done a decent job of positioning it so that it's in the shade of shelter.

It would be nice if they could get all the old ones that are lying around powered up and working. But if they are too old they might e.g. no longer be supported by the manufacturer, making it more attractive just to replace them.

If it helps, I was in Wales recently and went past numerous bus stops where they had displays built into the bus stop flag. None of which did anything. Yes, it's taken too long to get them in Greater Manchester. But better than having a load of screens that now sit there doing nothing I guess!

Unfortunately we do have loads of screens that sit there doing nothing, though... there were hundreds of them installed by GMPTE all over Manchester and then left permanently switched off or displaying some sort of test message

 

[mattyharding]

I'm surprised Oldham Bus Station does not have these next bus boards as it serves a lot of destinations

 

[toms]

Curious. Do you know why they are against them?

The only thing I can think of is that if passengers could track the buses they would be more dissatisfied with late running, which might then result in passengers giving the drivers a hard time. In general though I think the availability of live running information makes passengers more patient not less.


Yes, I've seen the one at NMGH and it seems to work well. I was a bit concerned that an LCD display might be illegible outdoors, but they've done a decent job of positioning it so that it's in the shade of shelter.

It would be nice if they could get all the old ones that are lying around powered up and working. But if they are too old they might e.g. no longer be supported by the manufacturer, making it more attractive just to replace them.


Unfortunately we do have loads of screens that sit there doing nothing, though... there were hundreds of them installed by GMPTE all over Manchester and then left permanently switched off or displaying some sort of test message

I think it was something along the lines of being tracked and late running yes, we are talking almost 20 years back now. It would’ve been ideal really as most stops could have these displays if the old ones could work again but that isn’t possible. You can see them particularly on the 135 route and routes around Manchester and Eccles

 

[mattyharding]

13163, 65 and 71 are no longer trackable, do we know where they are or what happened to them

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13163, 65 and 71 are no longer trackable, do we know where they are or what happened to them

My guess is that they're being sent to scrap but I could be wrong

 

[Fox192]

13163, 65 and 71 are no longer trackable, do we know where they are or what happened to them

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My guess is that they're being sent to scrap but I could be wrong

Could be off for refurb/paint

 

[mangad]

A question. What routes from Stockport depot are single deck? I thought they were all double deck since franchising, but the other day I spotted a single decker in the 358 (which is normally a double decker route) and it got me wondering.

 

[mattyharding]

Could be off for refurb/paint

Doubt it as they are due to be withdrawn anyways once Oldham is fully Electric later this year

 

[Statto]

A question. What routes from Stockport depot are single deck? I thought they were all double deck since franchising, but the other day I spotted a single decker in the 358 (which is normally a double decker route) and it got me wondering.

Stockport only has 3 E200MMCs (26331/32/33) & 1 E200 (36112) going on this list.

Fleet list – Bee Network - Stagecoach Manchester – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

 

[Tim33160]

The original provider of real time information at bus stops went bump leaving GMPTE in the lurch - and cashless to repeat with a new contractor. For sometime the grey boxes in bus shelters showed the time and GMPTE - this was all before TfGM came in 2011??

 

[MCRTransitYT]

13163, 65 and 71 are no longer trackable, do we know where they are or what happened to them

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Mar 2026 ==


My guess is that they're being sent to scrap but I could be wrong

The tracking data from before 31st January deleted by bustimes owner to help speed the website up. They will likely having an engine rebuild

 

[mayneway]

13163, 65 and 71 are no longer trackable, do we know where they are or what happened to them

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 24 Mar 2026 ==


My guess is that they're being sent to scrap but I could be wrong

They are highly unlikely to be ‘sent for scrap’.
When you consider the condition and age of the Scania’s - that were painted and sold on for further use, they won’t scrap these.
A couple of the ex GNW B9’s had engine rebuilds while at Queens road so it’s quite possible if these require extensive work they will get it.

We get you don’t like the B5’s but given the investment TFGM have put into them they won’t be leaving in the immediate future.

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Stockport only has 3 E200MMCs (26331/32/33) & 1 E200 (36112) going on this list.

Fleet list – Bee Network - Stagecoach Manchester – bustimes.org

bustimes.org

The trio of E200MMC’s are mainly used on the 325 but do crop up on other services now and again.
36112 is has been withdrawn from service since Tranche 3 started but has been retained as a route training vehicle and was/is used at Queens Road.

 

[mattyharding]

They are highly unlikely to be ‘sent for scrap’.
When you consider the condition and age of the Scania’s - that were painted and sold on for further use, they won’t scrap these.
A couple of the ex GNW B9’s had engine rebuilds while at Queens road so it’s quite possible if these require extensive work they will get it.

We get you don’t like the B5’s but given the investment TFGM have put into them they won’t be leaving in the immediate future.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 25 Mar 2026 ==

I get that but with Oldham due to be electric at some point this year and other depots to follow suit is there really gonna be any room for B5s in Manchester

 

[py_megapixel]

A question. What routes from Stockport depot are single deck? I thought they were all double deck since franchising, but the other day I spotted a single decker in the 358 (which is normally a double decker route) and it got me wondering.

All Stockport routes can take double-deckers. These days there are only a few single-deckers, and they seem to be slightly preferred on the 325, although they can appear on other routes as you noticed.

In the past there were many more E200s, and Optare Solos as well (and of course various older designs of single-decker before that) and so more routes that got them regularly. Over the years several routes that would have used single deckers were simply abandoned by Stagecoach, so were either removed entirely or contracted by GMPTE/TfGM to be operated by other companies from other depots. Other routes that previously had single-deckers became entirely (or almost entirely) double decker - 313 and 314 for two random examples.

Stockport only has 3 E200MMCs (26331/32/33) & 1 E200 (36112) going on this list.

I don't think 36112 is actually in use - I've not seen it out on a Stockport service since franchising started, and there aren't any photos. Bustimes.org reckons it did a single trip on the 192 on a Wednesday in January, but that would never ordinarily have a single-decker and it hasn't done any other trips since then (not even back to Stockport on the 192 on the same day) so it seems more plausible that someone just made an error when setting up a ticket machine somewhere and created some erroneous data.

Some comments on Flickr (not the most reliable source, I know) suggest it's being used as a staff shuttle bus to/from Queens Road.

 

[mangad]

All Stockport routes can take double-deckers. These days there are only a few single-deckers, and they seem to be slightly preferred on the 325, although they can appear on other routes as you noticed.

In the past there were many more E200s, and Optare Solos as well (and of course various older designs of single-decker before that) and so more routes that got them regularly. Over the years several routes that would have used single deckers were simply abandoned by Stagecoach, so were either removed entirely or contracted by GMPTE/TfGM to be operated by other companies from other depots. Other routes that previously had single-deckers became entirely (or almost entirely) double decker - 313 and 314 for two random examples.

It was quite common pre franchising for the single deckers to run on evening and Sunday services for routes that were commonly run by double deckers during the day. Towards the end they seemed to delight on putting them on some routes even in rush hour. Does seem a tad pointless them having such a small fleet full stop but what do I know!

 

[W176 XMA]

All Stockport routes can take double-deckers. These days there are only a few single-deckers, and they seem to be slightly preferred on the 325, although they can appear on other routes as you noticed.

In the past there were many more E200s, and Optare Solos as well (and of course various older designs of single-decker before that) and so more routes that got them regularly. Over the years several routes that would have used single deckers were simply abandoned by Stagecoach, so were either removed entirely or contracted by GMPTE/TfGM to be operated by other companies from other depots. Other routes that previously had single-deckers became entirely (or almost entirely) double decker - 313 and 314 for two random examples.


I don't think 36112 is actually in use - I've not seen it out on a Stockport service since franchising started, and there aren't any photos. Bustimes.org reckons it did a single trip on the 192 on a Wednesday in January, but that would never ordinarily have a single-decker and it hasn't done any other trips since then (not even back to Stockport on the 192 on the same day) so it seems more plausible that someone just made an error when setting up a ticket machine somewhere and created some erroneous data.

Some comments on Flickr (not the most reliable source, I know) suggest it's being used as a staff shuttle bus to/from Queens Road.

36112 is a route learning bus at Queens Road, currently having work done on it

 

[mayneway]

I get that but with Oldham due to be electric at some point this year and other depots to follow suit is there really gonna be any room for B5s in Manchester

At which point they will be moved on to other depots or sold on or loaned possibly to other franchise authorities. They are very very very unlikely to be scrapped.
Any that are not tracking or missing from the list are probably having major work at Thomas Hardies.

 

[M60lad]

Unless I'm wrong from what I've heard recently Oldham Depot won't actually be fully electric as the Solo SRs are stopping at Oldham Depot for 129/415 routes unless its planned for these to be swapped Depots again.

 

[mayneway]

Unless I'm wrong from what I've heard recently Oldham Depot won't actually be fully electric as the Solo SRs are stopping at Oldham Depot for 129/415 routes unless its planned for these to be swapped Depots again.

Rumoured to be moving to Queens road although that rumour has been around for a while.