One for them in the know!

Here is a few pictures of 12055 Hybrid. I am told that this is a rarely
photographed bus as it was the last to be entered into service due to it
being used in an appearance at an exhibition. It does have a unique
characteristic to it so I am told!

Monday morning

Just in Piccadilly plaza watching the 142s. I forgot how busy it was around here. We get so many questions about things other than buses that we run it really keeps us on our toes. Not too cold today so i can still feel all my limbs for the time being.

Ashton Routemaster Visit

Well it's been a very cold week of standing about watching buses and
checking tickets this week. Was in Ashton for three days with yesterday
being the more challenging. There was an accident in Bredbury which made all
the 330s very very late so I had to do a juggling act with other services to
ensure they ran as best we could until the road was opened. I had a 15
minute services to Hyde from Ashton and back and a bus going through
approximately every 30 minutes. Everything straightened up by lunchtime
luckily. Then this route master came in to collect come people from the bus
station. Looked in good condition too. From next week I am based in the
middle of Manchester on the side I am not too sure about so it will be a
good learning experience for me and I look forward to it. Sadly though I
think it might be a while before I am back at Ashton.

Interesting day.

Had a good day yesterday. The 216 ran like it should once again, with nothing failing on the service. It's nice to see it working so well. The only drama from the day was this Stotts bus having an altercation with a car doing a u-turn in the middle of Wellington road? Yes a u-turn. And this little ex stagecoach, speedwell thing breaking down. I found the two breakdown trucks a little unnecessary though for such a small bus. Oh and a 409 with a drunk that was dart asleep. That was more a comedy moment as the chain of command escalated the issue over the period of 30 minutes. Back here today so hoping for a similar easy day.

Something different?

They say variety is the spice of life. Or so i'm told. It's 5am and like most on a monday morning i can't get back to sleep. Took this pic a while back. Based in ashton bus station 3 days this week. I don't mind it though. Always something going on and the queries from the public are easily answered. 216 were running sweet last week when i was there and so were most things. 347s seem to be the only service struggling but thats down to rush hour traffic and large passenger numbers on small buses at peak time i think. Will see how things are. Managed to get my thermals this weekend so i might be able to move my legs at the end of each day now. If you see someone wrapped up like an eskimo in stagecoach colours it's probably me lol.

Oops

Just on new bridge lane in stockport waiting for the road to open. This is the car that overturned and the picture of it when turned over.

Very mixed week.

Wow, what a week it's been long days with little time to think about anything other than work. But it's been great. Learning so much every single day. This week has been checking revenue monday. Ashton bus station tuesday and on piccadilly yesterday on the 200's stand. Today i'm in stockport. So the first week was very mixed and totally interesting. I think i can get used to this anyway. Not getting much time to blog so will do as and when. Just on my wax to an accident on new bridge lane as the road is blocked. We are not involved in the accident just need to check the road for the 383.

Off Out

Just heading into ashton and this is at the bus stop. I have not been on one of these buses yet but i'll give it a try. The driver is an ex ashton driver so had a good chat. He was telling me about the bullying tactics first are applying on the 's' routes and that speedwell are in the process of complaining to the authorities regarding it. Sad really that it has to come to it because i have always been of the opinion that competition is healthy for the consumer. Going for a few beers with the guys from ashton should be a good day.

Last day

Last day as an Ashton driver today, and it's a long one. Got 3 on a 216 which is good as it passes quickly. Then a slower pace on the 7 for a trip and end the day with a trip on a 330 finish at 4. I start at hyde road at 9 on monday morning so at least i get a little lie in. The new road was very quiet yesterday but yet there was still queues into droylsden sadly causing issues with service. The works at beswick street look almost finished so it might not be long until we are using pollard street again. Hoping for a nice hassle free day today.

Horrible day.

Spare driver this morning. I started at 530 and i'm just at glossop about to do a 236 to Ashton. This bus runs 10 minutes behind a piccadilly bus which gets all the students going to Tameside college. The one i am on too gets a fair few so i hope they all have there scholars passes or there might be a few upset faces in the next hour as i know the bus is front is going to do the same thing. Why should most people pay the right fare and others get away with it. Last night on the 347 was the same. Two forged day tickets and a weekly pass 3 days over was snatched. That part of the job i am looking forward to. 2more days after today. Both early duties too which is good. Got a bit of a leaving do in Ashton on sunday so should be a good afternoon out. A trip too gee cross international bus station after this.

Very nice

Took this the other day when i went for a ride into manchester. It's one of the new centreline buses. I believe they are hybrids. I didn't get chance to have a ride but they look very suited in the city. Seem a bit larger than the crappy solos too. On another note. The past few weeks have been a little busy for me. Having always been someone with ambition. I applied for the position of inspector with stagecoach. 80 people applied and went for an aptitude test. From this 14 people got an interview for the 6 positions available. I was very pleased when i came top of the 80 in the test and subsequently have been offered the position which i take up on Monday. This does mean i am leaving Ashton depot and heading back to hyde road on monday morning. I'm not sure how the blog will go but have no plans to abandon it as yet but will have to limit what i do i think. Looking forward to it anyway. It's been a great adventure at ashton and i have made many good friends. I will be sad to leave it behind.

How petty

Off today and whilst its a bit cold i thought i would come for a ride to town and back just to stretch my injured muscles. I'm on old mill street where the 217/8 comes. For some reason the council have put in these huge wooden logs so people can't park in the spaces anymore. I find it somewhat petty as the cars that parked here caused no issues to passing traffic. There are a few spaces left near ancoats clinic but they of course are pay and display! Sad. Going to head into piccadilly for a coffee then back up the new road.

Lovely View

I'm just heading to glossop to start the first trip on the 390. Couldn't help but stop to look at the valley towards stockport. The mist looks great at this time of day. It's a bit nippy today but this bus is lovely and warm. Got 4 hours on here which should twist my mind somewhat. It's an easy morning but i would have liked something a bit busier. Just a trip on a 346 later and finish for 330pm. Off tomorrow and back in sunday. No gym and no bike this week as i have an injury on my back from last weekends antics! Enough said. Lol.

Here again

Just back at hyde road for an hour or so today. There seems to be more tridents waiting to go in the paint shop to be made into magic buses i assume. I think they look pretty smart when they are freshly painted in the new magic livery. The 59 plate also in the picture is just here for steam clean not for repainting. Got a couple of trips on a 7 later, thats all today should be an easy day once i leave here lol.

Busy route

I'm just at shudehill bus station waiting to leave on the 218. Been watching the 17 service for past 15 minutes. There has been 4 buses leave in that time all with a fair few on. The bus behind is a jpt number 17 too that only goes to middleton. Seems a bit cheeky to be honest. I somehow don't think they would get away with it on some of our major routes. I think queens road run the 17. Just a trip to mossley and finish in ashton. Get loads of time on this route now so there will be no rushing about.

Not so long weekend.

Working overtime today. It should have been my 4 day weekend but i thought i would work the friday and monday. Very little going on at the moment apart from a new batch of britains finest cones turning up in droylsden this morning causing even longer queues. Luckily not for me. I'm on my second of two trips on a 7. Did 2 on the 347 earlier which was totally hammered. I couldn't squeeze another sole on from crown point to guide bridge. Them man buses are ok but don't hold enough people at times. The magic bus has left the depot now. The 842 school is going to have the small dart on it, 33098. Should make it easier to get across the bridge and there is just enough seats on it for the kids so i'm told. 530am spare for the next couple of days so not sure what i will be doing tomorrow or wednesday yet. I suppose it will be a suprise lol. Hoping for some good news this week and will share it as and when it happens. We will see.