TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion

[GWVillager]

Don't they interwork to make 15 minute frequency combined? Or are you on about both individual services?

Well they're circular routes, so, in theory, they interwork to give 10 minute headways from Bury to Ramsbottom, but each route is every 20. They were every 15 until 2021(?), though.

 

[Class 466]

Maybe the idea is that the 24 reg MMCs will settle at tranche 2 depots, but the 74 reg City's will settle mainly at tranche 3 depots plus replace the oldest buses still at tranche 2 depots?

74 Reg City’s are all for Stockport - Stagecoach’s only Tranche 3 depot. Not in a position to say what’ll happen to the 76x 24 plates in Manchester- but all will become clear (No they’re not leaving Stagecoach).

 

[mayneway]

This will all become clear early next year.

Maybe the idea is that the 24 reg MMCs will settle at tranche 2 depots, but the 74 reg City's will settle mainly at tranche 3 depots plus replace the oldest buses still at tranche 2 depots?

The 24 reg MMC’s were ordered as insurance vehicles incase there wasn’t enough vehicles when Tranche 2 launched. They were built to TFGM spec but there was never any guarantee they would stay.
Inevitably TFGM and Stagecoach cannot agree on a deprecation value for them so they are currently working out of tranche 2 depots at a cost to stagecoach.

 

[WibbleWobble]

Well they're circular routes, so, in theory, they interwork to give 10 minute headways from Bury to Ramsbottom, but each route is every 20. They were every 15 until 2021(?), though.

Ironically, it used to be every 10 minutes in either direction until 2016. It was for a time higher when Rosso competed on the corridor, but fell back once competition stopped, then dropped again to 15 each way not long after.

 

[GWVillager]

Ironically, it used to be every 10 minutes in either direction until 2016. It was for a time higher when Rosso competed on the corridor, but fell back once competition stopped, then dropped again to 15 each way not long after.

Oh wow, I had no idea. Even more reason for it to increase again!

 

[WWH44L]

A quick search on buslistsontheweb see the first six of the new Electroliners for Go North West are registered 2101-6, MF74NTC/D/E/G/J/K

 

[Class 466]

11 B9s didn’t come out today (21% of the fleet of 52) - led to 3 single deckers on the 135 and an 30 minute gap in the middle of rush hour from Bury this morning. The beginning of their withdrawal from Queens Road in November cannot come soon enough.

 

[W176 XMA]

11 B9s didn’t come out today (21% of the fleet of 52) - led to 3 single deckers on the 135 and an 30 minute gap in the middle of rush hour from Bury this morning. The beginning of their withdrawal from Queens Road in November cannot come soon enough.

They aren't leaving Manchester completely - watch this space

 

[Class 466]

They aren't leaving Manchester completely - watch this space

Aye, I’m aware of these and the Scania's upcoming descent from North Manchester

 

[mayneway]

11 B9s didn’t come out today (21% of the fleet of 52) - led to 3 single deckers on the 135 and an 30 minute gap in the middle of rush hour from Bury this morning. The beginning of their withdrawal from Queens Road in November cannot come soon enough.

Again not really a fair comment.
There were issues again over the weekend on the 93/95 route (diversion this time), that led once again to several buses being off the road awaiting new windows. The glaziers turned up this afternoon and all were repaired and should be out tomorrow.
Not a good day though with several buses failing due to issues with demisters and wipers.
I honestly think blame here shouldn’t be on the B9’s but TFGM who set the very tight vehicle allowance.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Oct 2024 ==

Aye, I’m aware of these and the Scania's upcoming descent from North Manchester

Only 10-15 of the worst B9’s are to leave queens road, the rest will remain into next year!

 

[M60lad]

Am I right in thinking that from I've read elsewhere that some of B9s that aren't actually leaving Manchester but Queens Road Depot will be going temporarily to another Depot?

 

[mayneway]

Am I right in thinking that from I've read elsewhere that some of B9s that aren't actually leaving Manchester but Queens Road Depot will be going temporarily to another Depot?

Not sure I’ve only been told all 20 of the scania’s and 10-15 B9’s are to leave in November.

 

[978wta]

They aren't leaving Manchester completely - watch this space

Middleton I have heard.

 

[Class 466]

Not sure I’ve only been told all 20 of the scania’s and 10-15 B9’s are to leave in November.

Im probably guilty of jumping to blame them as I’ve had a streak of bad luck with the ones I’ve caught having issues - that is purely down to chance though ultimately. Yeah the fleet allocation vs PVR is particularly tight at the moment- much closer percentage than you’d ever get on the railway. 16846 still seems to be MIA, not seen since early April

Due to be replaced by the MMCs from Oldham - it’s finally the signs of improvement at Queens Road. The rest can’t be replaced until after Tranche 3 goes live.

Enviro 400 19481 & Optare Solo 48114 seem to have swapped depots with the Enviro going to Middleton and Optare to Queens.

 

[mayneway]

Middleton I have heard.

It’s a daft rumour started by someone who knows very little. Middleton are getting electrics.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 1 Oct 2024 ==

Im probably guilty of jumping to blame them as I’ve had a streak of bad luck with the ones I’ve caught having issues - that is purely down to chance though ultimately. Yeah the fleet allocation vs PVR is particularly tight at the moment- much closer percentage than you’d ever get on the railway. 16846 still seems to be MIA, not seen since early April

Due to be replaced by the MMCs from Oldham - it’s finally the signs of improvement at Queens Road. The rest can’t be replaced until after Tranche 3 goes live.

Enviro 400 19481 & Optare Solo 48114 seem to have swapped depots with the Enviro going to Middleton and Optare to Queens.

There’s still a couple of B9’s long term VOR that are being worked on.

The solo/E400 swap is temporary incase one of the Mellors goes down.

 

[ic31420]

Only 10-15 of the worst B9’s are to leave queens road, the rest will remain into next year!

Which are the worst?

 

[M60lad]

We do know that Middleton are getting electrics and I'm not disputing that but I've seen on social media that some of the B9s are supposedly going to the temporary depot while Middleton Depot is closed for electrification works.

 

[Class 466]

We do know that Middleton are getting electrics and I'm not disputing that but I've seen on social media that some of the B9s are supposedly going to the temporary depot while Middleton Depot is closed for electrification works.

Why would they do that? Middleton’s current fleet will stay on until the BZLs enter service there.

 

[GWVillager]

The solo/E400 swap is temporary incase one of the Mellors goes down.

Sorry, did I read that right? A Solo swapped for an Enviro 400 double decker?

 

[mayneway]

We do know that Middleton are getting electrics and I'm not disputing that but I've seen on social media that some of the B9s are supposedly going to the temporary depot while Middleton Depot is closed for electrification works.

Yep and the comments about the B9’s going to Middleton are 100% not true.
Middletons current fleet will be working out of the temporary base at Chadderton while the yard is dug up and the charging points are put in at Greengate.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Oct 2024 ==

Sorry, did I read that right? A Solo swapped for an Enviro 400 double decker?

Yep. Middleton can operate with one lees Solo as long as non of theirs go down, so as long as they got any vehicle in return to use it suits both depots. When they need it back the swap will be reversed.

 

[toms]

When will these 19 go north west electroliners go into service then, I see they’re being stored at the moment

 

[W176 XMA]

Yep and the comments about the B9’s going to Middleton are 100% not true.
Middletons current fleet will be working out of the temporary base at Chadderton while the yard is dug up and the charging points are put in at Greengate.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Oct 2024 ==


Yep. Middleton can operate with one lees Solo as long as non of theirs go down, so as long as they got any vehicle in return to use it suits both depots. When they need it back the swap will be reversed.

Swap has been reversed now, 19481 is back at QR

 

[Leyland Bus]

When will these 19 go north west electroliners go into service then, I see they’re being stored at the moment

Once the current crop of chargers have been installed.

 

[W176 XMA]

Once the current crop of chargers have been installed.

Do different manufacturers use different chargers? I thought they were standardised

 

[Leyland Bus]

Do different manufacturers use different chargers? I thought they were standardised

They are but we only have enough for our current allocation.

 

[ic31420]

I'm guessing there is an issue with the small buses... The 480 is running with a DD MX09AOW at the moment.

Must be squeeze in some places.

 

[Andyh82]

I'm guessing there is an issue with the small buses... The 480 is running with a DD MX09AOW at the moment.

Must be squeeze in some places.

I’m sure Rosso used to use full sized single deckers on the 480 back in the day

 

[WibbleWobble]

I’m sure Rosso used to use full sized single deckers on the 480 back in the day

Blue Bus definitely did!

 

[esmith2k5]

I’m sure Rosso used to use full sized single deckers on the 480 back in the day

You'd be correct, arguably a better allocation than a full sized single in a lot of places on the route.

 

[darylyates17]

I’ve noticed a picture of a Mellor Strata with a white bonnet and emergency exit but the rest is in yellow, who else is due some of these for Bee Network?