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TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion
- Thread starter Leyland Bus
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Leyland Bus
Member
It appears there are actually 3 Training Geminis for Metroline, BK10 MFE, BK10 MFF & BV10 WVX, all garaged at Wythenshawe.On the bus times website they have now made a Metroline one. On the fleet list it has two Gemini’s which are used for training.
Bee Network - Metroline
bustimes.org
HTH
978wta
Member
Some very odd decisions with stagecoach at the moment, they are sending Bee Network spec’d vehicles to the south which will at some point be re painted and probably re trimmed internally, meanwhile 62 plate ex Oxford vehicles are being painted and re trimmed to Bee Network specifications. If stagecoach wanted newer vehicles for else where, they have plenty of 73 plate MMCs in standard spec!
I'm new to this thread so.. hi! Just wanting to ask what everyone's thoughts were for Tranche 3 in terms of fleet. It will be interesting to see Metroline's fleet as they will probably bring up quite a lot from London. It will also be intresting to see what will happen to some other operators like Stagecoach, as they are going to get some new BZLs, and If they will keep the old and outdated Scanias and B9s. Just want to see what everyones thoughts is!
Class 466
Established Member
Metrolinw will have 126 brand new Streetdecks, A number of Gemini 3s from London, 30-40 odd Enviro 200MMCs, some more EVs - ADL this time round (on top of the BYDs staying at Sharston) amongst other things.
Stagecoach will operate those BZLs from a depot they're retaining post January 2025. Scanias and B9s will go - eventually. Expect a lot more of those 24 plate Enviro 400MMCs to go elsewhere.
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Are the street decks going to be HEVs or standard Euro 6 Ultroliners. If the GMCA are so keen on having a ‘green Manchester’ why is TFGM still allowing them to buy fully diesel vehicles. Is it a possibility of them buying some Electroliners as well as the standard ADL/BYD 400EVs. I think I heard somewhere that some Ex First London E200s that are now with Metroline London are coming to Manchester. I think it’s the ones with YX09,59 and 61 reg’s. I find it so odd that Stagecoach are sending the 24 reg E400 MMC that are fully Bee Networked up with engine stickers, radios etc. As some said earlier there are plenty standard spec YX23 and YX73 E400 MMCs to send down if needed!
mayneway
Member
The 24 reg MMC E400’s were a diverted order that were only delivered to Manchester to insure there were enough buses if needed. They are actually referred to as the ‘insurance fleet’.
TFGM control the fleet needs at Queens, Middleton and Oldham and deem the 24 plates as not needed so they are slowly being moved on.
5 of the batch at Queens road are due to be cascaded south with others over the next couple of weeks now the schools have finished.
The 3 remaining Solos at Queens rd are also set to move to Oldham in the next few days.
py_megapixel
Established Member
What I'm struggling to grasp is why, in that case, they were delivered to TfGM and not standard Stagecoach spec, and why those are the buses being moved south rather the similar ones to Stagecoach spec that aren't much older?
Class 466
Established Member
What’s replacing these MMCs? Queens Road are already short, with Single Deckers on routes like the 135 now daily, and will be even more so come September if there are no replacements.
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xitz2012@gmail
Member
As well as Scanias being so unreliable, and a fair few B9s out of service atm because of issues with those.
Just wondering… Are the street decks going to be HEVs or standard Euro 6 Ultroliners. If the GMCA are so keen on having a ‘green Manchester’ why is TFGM still allowing them to buy fully diesel vehicles. Is it a possibility of them buying some Electroliners as well as the standard ADL/BYD 400EVs. I think I heard somewhere that some Ex First London E200s that are now with Metroline London are coming to Manchester. I think it’s the ones with YX09,59 and 61 reg’s.
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xitz2012@gmail
Member
They’re regular diesel ones
Thought so, as I don’t think they make the HEV ones anymore it’s just fully electric or hydrogen instead. What else do you think Metroline will order, I’m quessing some diesel E400 MMCs like Stagecoach along with the BYD electric version of them.
Class 466
Established Member
BYD electric version is no longer available - am led to believe they've gone for the new Enviro 400 EV
Oh yes, the partnership has ended I think. I wonder why this is. I guess the BYD/ADL E200 EVs are no longer available due to the Enviro 100 EVs rolling out. It will be interesting to see if they purchase any GB Kite Electroliners or the Streetdeck version as well. Who knows really at this stage...
mayneway
Member
Honestly don’t know why but they were never intended to stay in Manchester. They appear on internal fleet cards as loan vehicles.
Sad really as they are really nice vehicles but clearly TFGM would prefer old tired B9s and Scanias.
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They are not being replaced. Queens road has 5 deckers too many, which TFGM originally agreed to as there were still Scanias outstanding with Go North West. The entire Scania fleet has now been delivered, although the last arrival is anything but road worthy hence why it’s only ever managed 2 hours a day in service before being pulled in!
Single deckers on the 135 isn’t ideal but it’s normally a result of a large number of deckers at morning run out so singles are often sent out and then swapped later in the day as they're passing the depot with double deckers.
Hopefully things improve in November when the newer fleet starts to roll in and the dinosaurs move on.
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Stagecoach are trying to get the B9s up to a good standard though as they will be passing to another depot. I'm not sure what’s happening with the Scanias.
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Class 466
Established Member
I’ve noticed a number now have Bee Network Flooring on the ramp bit- the few that hadn’t seen service since April are slowly returning too.
Class 466
Established Member
27955 has been completed and another is away at the moment being done.
Are these owned by Stagecoach or TFGM?
mayneway
Member
TFGM
think it is 27939 been done or has been not yet seen in service
What is the point of them trying to get those ancient Gemini's up to a good standard. They are outdated and very knackered. Are they waiting for the BZLs then they will go? I'm sure some First subsidiary in Yorkshire or GNE will happily have them. Although, are they planned to get the full yellow Bee Network livery?
If the Gemini's are going later this year I'm guessing the Scania's will go too, with the BZLs coming in. What will Stagecoach put on the 1 and 2 then (the free routes)?
Class 466
Established Member
They will go as part of an internal fleet cascade when more EVs arrive into Manchester - the BZLs form a key part of it (no, they're not going to first see service in Stockport)
What is an internal fleet cascade? And what types of EVs are planned to arrive? I'm guessing Stagecoach could put some EVs on the 1 and 2 free routes possibly
Class 466
Established Member
Yellow 11819-11822 are now operating from Ashton Depot instead of Oldham replacing some of the 23 & 73 plate MMCs that have moved to their new homes. A lot more of this to come.
mancbus
Member
Does anyone know what will happen to the rest of Enviro 400 and MMC’s from the rest of the Stagecoach depot’s before tranche 3 and will more Yellow MMCs replace them before tranche 3 starts.
Class 466
Established Member
Nope, they will leave Oldham at some point
ok thanks for that