Something amiss?

I noticed this button upside down on a new first bus enviro 400. A friend who was with with me says they are all like this. Either that or he always seems to get the same bus. Any ideas why it's like this? Or is it a one off?

Oldham metrolink

This was interesting to see earlier. This driver though he was heading up brook street and went up the tram line at mumps. Sadly disabling the entire mumps to shaw line from 630pm onwards. Apparently it also happens the night before too so mumps might need altering slightly. Ps happy Christmas all my readers x

Still here

It's been and busy couple of weeks so I have had very little time to post anything. With Christmas markets at Salford Quays, record passenger numbers and Christmas markets in Manchester it's been a mad year. The university students have finished now so it give me chance to slow down a little. Today a nice 10 - 6. I just noticed this old direction sign on the bus stop at Katherine street. Shame we don't use them anymore. Especially when a route changes or a new one is made.

Having a nosy

Thought I'd have. Nosey at why Mossley road was closed. Luckily it wasn't as serious as it looked and the road reopened within an hour.

Soggy

Slight burst on Brunswick street last night. There is water still gushing into it and it will probably be down to one lane for a week. Interesting to see the old tram lines.

Almost ready

This is East Didsbury tram stop. Was there the other day and thought I'd have a peek. Not sure when it's due to open. If its anything like the Rochdale or Droylsden extensions it will probably be 2020. Just noticed the Lovely sky in this picture.

Poorly bus

This city shuttle hybrid wasn't too well today at Piccadilly station. Had to be Towed back to queens road. Didn't ask what the problem was but thought I'd take the picture instead. Don't see many of them on tow so they must be pretty reliable.

Really?

Just at Mumps waiting for the tram. Was a bit surprised to see trams operating through to Rochdale, or so the board would have you think. They are still terminating at Mumps but I think someone has got a bit giddy. I have been using the bike lockers here for about 5 weeks now. Great idea! An quicker to get home from the tram stop than either the bus or by car as I can cut down through the park and be off the tram and in the front door in 8 minutes.

Good news and bad news

Today's idiot of the day was this BMW parked in Albert square making my bus stop at an angle (pet hate) on a good note Stagecoach Manchester have won large bus operator of the year. I'm always the first to pat us on the back as you will know reading this so today is no exception.

At that is?

Bit of a poor excuse for a Santa I think. This is the stage for the lights switch on tomorrow. More disruption for a Friday afternoon how thoughtful of the council.

Great parking

Fine example of how not to collect the passengers.

Annoying

Getting a bit bored if cars just blocking the stops in Albert square. Think I might. Just make my blog a hate site for inconsiderate motorists.

Bit messy

This is the start of the building works for Salford crescent station. The ticket office will be at the bridge with a walkway leading into the station itself. The works means that the 50 won't be using this area for twelve months but the stop on the main road isn't a million miles away. Back after a nice week off and it's half term so the roads are not too bad this week. And no, the two people at the closed stop are not waiting for a bus.

Bit big

I'm just in Albert square watching my 50 service and saw this come in on the free shuttle.

Oops

Here are a couple of pictures from the tram accident on Oxford street on Friday.
I was working on the 50 service in Albert square when I noticed a lot of people appearing at the stop. After a bit of digging I realised this had happened, luckily the road was only blocked for about 20 minutes. The 50 is becoming very very busy in the Salford area which is good after only 4 weeks. We are planning some changing for January since the service has been a massive success.

First signs

Just had a little ride into Oldham to see the metro link works. Track laying has begun now and the dug out section that goes down to Manchester street roundabout is taking shape. The town is still a mess though with roadworks. Mumps looks finished so I can understand why the cones are all still there. I read that testing on the line to Rochdale and to Droylsden was due to start very soon so will be keeping an eye out for that.

Nice to see you!

Just had the press launch of the 50 service. A few celebs called by to have their pictures taken with the bus we brought.

Unlucky

The Crescent in Salford isn't the most car friendly place in the world. The bus lane coming down from Pendleton is brilliant, if your on a bus that is. I'm guessing the councils little camera car comes out a bit around here as no one seems daring enough to use the his lane. Shame there isn't more like this around Manchester especially around longsight. Almost finished for the day. Been out nice and early checking the morning running times. Few hiccups to sort out but nothing too much to worry about. Should be fine for when the students go back next week.

Off to work

Just heading into town. Thought I would use the new park and ride at hollinwood. The idea is good although the lighting inside the structure is none existent. Dont think I would be using it in the winter. Starting the day off at Albert square today and will probably head off upto the precinct at Salford later on. The 50 route
Is doing very well with lots of interest being shown all across the route. Am looking Forward to when Salford university go back because I'm sure
It will really take off then.

Busy day

Just got to Salford shopping centre. It's A bit busier than I thought it might be. I started off the day at 630 at Salford crescent station. Not too busy but in told when the students are back it's very busy. Spent most of yesterday at media city. Lots of confused faces not helped by the fact the tram was off for most of the day.

Purple?

Had my first ride on a new first bus today. It's very purple inside however the seats are also pretty comfy. Got one going home too which turned into an adventure after the driver decided it was ok to start smoking whilst he drive the bus. Long story but hopefully he won't be doing it again. Off Now until Sunday. That's my last day in Ashton for a while. My new home is the 50 service and expect lots of blogs of the launch on Sunday and the days to follow. Good times are to come.

New arrivals

Just spotted this on the 409 service in Ashton. Looks pretty smart I think. I believe there is a few of these around Manchester. Interesting choice though, I thought the Volvos were the better buses.

Water burst

The day started off as a nice morning in chorlton. It didn't take long to be taken upto glossop to sort out the services following a major water burst. A lot of the road is damaged and united utilities say that it will be closed for about a week. Buses are leaving from Bernard street behind Mettricks butchers.

Busy route

Just had a trip over Huddersfield on the 184. Was quiet coming over but leaving the bus station the his was hammered. Never realised it did so well and most the people are going over the tops too. Shame it's not a bit quicker. Would be nice to see a limited stop service. The Yorkshire rider bus 365 I think it was. Was always quiet when I got on it.

New colours

Just seen this single decker first bus. I was wondering when they were being painted up like the double deckers.

Another conversion

Found this in Piccadilly yesterday. It's
Another conversion of a London bus. It drove past me later in the day and still sounded as sweet as the day it was built. Finished for my long weekend today so I got my ex buckled wheel back from a great little bike repair shop which I found near hurst cross and will be putting it too the test over the next few days.

Been a while

It's been a while but this morning I'm at southern cemetery. Not of a trek to get here but the Sun is out and everything is running well so can't complain.

Tram home

The tram work out well today. I just can't understand why it sometimes goes a bit slow to town but then goes like a rocket on the way back. Is
It just dependant on the driver or if the specific tram is late? Anyway will be using it more for work on the future when I am working in Salford.

Having a change

In working in chorlton today so I thought I'd give the early morning tram a try. I just parked on block lane because I wasn't sure about spaces at mumps. Online said there was none. I'm waiting for the first tram of the day which is 6am from mumps. I need to be in chorlton at 7. I'm hoping to use the tram more to save on fuel costs bit this will only work if it's reliable.

Somewhere New!

This is the new terminus for the 50 service from September.
Salford quays/media city will be served by an 8 minute service in peak times with a 10 minute service throughout the rest of the day and 15 in the evening. I will be working a lot on the route to see it runs well. I think its going to be very interesting to see how it goes. Especially with it being a part of Manchester mainly run by First Bus.It replaces the Salford Qualys link run by Maytree which i think are in Bolton. I was chatting to some of the drivers when i visited and they all seem a bit sad to lose the route.

Something wrong here? Maybe

Just heading out to town for a night out and noticed this bus stop in Oldham outside Aldi. I'm a bit curious as to the 400 being on it. Any ideas?

New arrival

Noticed this on the 168/9 service yesterday. I thought we had started a new campaign on day tickets until I had a closer look as noticed it is from Newcastle. Also noticed 19236 and 19022 now at Ashton covering for missing enviro 200s.

Classic

Ha the pleasure of travelling on this Volvo today on the 425 service. It's a shame these old buses can't be used for longer as they are not low floor as the engine sounds like it has just come out of the factory. Just had my long weekend off. Back to the grind on Wednesday with olympic football buses on Sunday. From what I read we are running a park and ride service which is free to ticket holders. It's just a shame we can't run a similar set up for concerts and regular football matches.

Testing week

Just finished working a few days on Ashton. A pretty average week really apart from the problems in Hollingworth on Tuesday. It certainly offered us a full days worth of problems with no 237s running from 12 till 6 and the 236 service heavily affected. I noticed this bus passing through the station the other day bit I have not had much time to post it. You might also see a few different buses knocking around Ashton such as 19262 and 19285 these are loans for Ashton and replace the enviro 200s that are going to London for the Olympics. Tomorrow a little bit of overtime for me and I get to drive a bus for a day so am a little giddy. Back to normal on Monday.

Week off

Had a great week off this week. Highlights are a bike ride down to the airport and then roxette in concert at the men arena last night with a flawless link to the venue using the metrolink from mumps. It will be even easier why the park and ride is opened in hollinwood. Back to work Saturday.