Been a while

I'm on the 231 that we do through the day. Only one bus but it's such a relaxing change to come up the new road from town without having to worry about keeping time. On the way down i even had 3 minutes to spare at aldi. The back half of the duty is just as easy. 2 trips on a 330. Made better as the bus comes off the 346 so its going to be a MAN. I prefer them on the 330s. Nice too to see the lights back at bank street. I had missed them so much lol. I got given a great brochure on the opening of the old tameside depot today so i'll scan it tomorrow and post it so you can all have a look. Also found out today we have bought a company in london which has 1250 buses and our md who you might see at most photo ops is moving there to look after it. My thinking is its a move towards doing the bus services for the olympic games. Hope so. I'll be ready for another trip away by 2012. I was off from sunday to saturday but now i'm at princess road on them very same days doing metrolink replacement. Late on sunday and an early next saturday. Few other things going on at the moment but i'll write about them as and when they happen ;)

Not good.

Here is a lovely picture of the fountain at piccadilly during a bike ride the other day. Thought i'd post it to livid the mood slightly. Today has been so mixed. Firstly did a trip on the 330 nice and easy, was in a great mood. Had my lunch then went and waited for my 236. Whilst i was stood waiting an old lady who was walking with her husband fell to the floor at the bus station. It was pretty clear that the lady had suffered a serious heart attack or something similar. A few members of the public very quickly ran to the scene and started cpr. The ambulance took about 3 minutes to come but there was very little they could do. So it's been a somewhat crazy day that i will certainly never forget for the wrong reason. I'm doing a little extra tonight finish at 7 instead of 4 but i don't mind. Just hope the rest of the week is a little more uneventful :(

Not a nice day!

Glad to be home right now. I am totally wiped out from a day on the 216s. It's been a while since i did a full day on there and today was just horrible. The only problem however was getting from Snipe retail to Droylsden. The queue put me 20 minutes late on each trip. I got the time back each time i got to Ashton but lost it again on the next trip. This sign caught my eye whilst i was sat in the traffic. It's a very clear indication of the damage all these works are having on the local businesses. Glad to be home now anyway. My holidays were supposed to start on Sunday but i'm now working a late shift on the metrolink replacement again. Easy money though. The following saturday should be interesting too. The bury line is closed on the 23rd and 24th and i am doing a shift on the saturday. Should be fun.

Troubled times

Just in piccadilly watching world go by. Heard that Bluebird had a few problems this week with fuel. I know of two occasions in the past week of buses running out of fuel whilst out on service. An inside source tells me the company was rationed due to financial issues but i couldn't confirm if this is true or not. Maybe the bus wars are taking there toll?

Where am i?

I'm off today so i am having a little ride out on the bike. I always seem to forget with all the road works we have to endure on the new road that other metrolink works are also ongoing in other areas of the county. This place isn't to hard to figure out. Its changed so much in the past 10 years and is about to get a whole lot busier than this road looks now i'm sure.

Come here often?

Seems ages ago since i have been on the 347s. Just started and on my first trip of the day. Not the best duty today. Got three trips on the 216s after which are chaos at the moment so doubt i will be finishing on time. Nice weekend off and feeling refreshed today. Off for a week next week too which i am very ready for.

Change around

A comment the other day asked about the 217 and 218 service. The tendor was due to be awarded this month and it was anticipated we would lose it completly. Instead an emergency tendor has been put into place i believevc jpt are going to run the service on a sundays and on bank holidays. Now i'm not a big fan of sharing routes. For the main reason it's bad on the punters. Why should someone who buys a megarider have to pay on the same route on a sunday. It's a little unfair. Will have to see what happens to it in january when the decision is made. On a split today, bit crap for the first day back. Just waiting to go do my 216 and 231. The 216s have got to overload again i believe due to more lights going up in droylsden. They have all been coming in 20 and 30 minutes late so i'm not lookin forward to this. Back in at 430am so coming on my bike so i can head out after work.

Back Home

This is the transporter in Newport. Odd device that takes cars over the water in place of a bridge. Apparently there arn't many of them around anymore?
Took this just after we left this morning at 10am. Been a brilliant week which from a company point of view has been very succesful. In the afternoons we were moving over 13000 people an hour with a bus leaving celtic manor every 25 seconds. Its been great to be a part of it and i look forward to the next "big job" as it was called by a few people. I couldnt answer any comments on my phone this week not sure wy so sorry if you asked anything and didnt get a reply. We took an LED programming key with us thats why the 15*** bus had the Manchester detination blind on it. Not sure whats going on with the 217 218 as i have not been in but will find out. Probably best if JPT did the daytime mon-sat too really as its been spoilt since the times changed. I used to like the 5 hours on there bus now its hard work having to sit around waiting time out. I know its up for tender so i am guessing we have won the Mon-sat and lost the Sunday work. Will find out on Thursday. Got far too many pictures to put on here. I have put them on facebook for them who are on there. If you want me to share the album please email me and i will send u the link to it. Back to normal on thursday after i have slept for a day to catch up. The extra day made it special too as most were sent home but we were kept, Even had a leaving party last night which i have to say was one of the best nights i have had all year and i like to socialise somewhat.

Nearly the end?

It's 5am sunday morning. I'm not getting picked up until 7 but the rain and wind are keeping me awake. Not a good sign because if play is stopped again then we stay another day. It's no holiday camp here and i really am ready for my own bed now. It's been a very interesting week though. Loads of waiting around which the manchester drivers are not use to. So as soon as the nod was given you could be sure we were leading the way to wherever we were sent to. When the punters did all come out at once it was brilliant. There was a bus leaving roughly every 8 seconds over a period of 2 1/2 hours. I've never had 50 thousand people wanting to get on my bus so much lol. The organisation was great. The passengers where stored into a pen then the bus pulled up got them and away in just a few minutes. Precision organisation and very well planned i think. The pictures are the wash at the depot which is located within the massive east park and ride complex. The buses are washed and fuelled twice a day and the platform is mopped after every trip. The other pic is how to park a solo in a tesco car park lol. Looking forward to home now and a day off weather permitting. Most drivers will stay the extra day but some will have to leave. We will keep our fingers crossed.

Clever!

This is the led blind that Manchester sent. The others all have just the wording on. Our man at hyde road has cleverly added the golf club and flag to it. Makes the Manchester buses stand out a little. Just finished for the day. Finish early tomorrow so might have to sample the local public houses to unwind for a few hours. Three days to go before we head back to reality. I had a 10 plate devon scania today. Was a bit slow but a nice drive, the trident this morning was nice too. The opening ceremony was today and we moved everyone with ease. There is a nice buzz around the depot when it comes close to kicking out time. Not sure what it's going to be like tomorrow when the competition actually start. But we are all looking forward to it.

How much?

The continuity between stagecoach areas is odd. The positioning of the fleet numbers, the sorry not in service message, the actual buses. But mostly the prices. This one is 20 quid for the week or 7 quid a day. Bit pricey i think. Anyway things are picking up today. It's the opening ceremony and i think the head cheese is coming to visit our site. There seems to be a lot of people cleaning up anyway for the first time this week. Getting a little fatigued now. There 5am wake ups and 9pm home times do catch up. We do get a 4pm finish tomorrow so i'm looking forward to that. Definatly need some me time, and a cosy bed too but that will have to wait until monday. Or tuesday if play runs over. All the roundabouts into our complex is littered with bus spotters now. And it's not suprising. It's like a who's who of stagecoach buses here at the moment with the scottish turning up last yesterday. They make up the 140 vehicles on this site.

Back to it

It's 530am, the b10 coach 52631 has just picked us up. The bus is very full of drivers all off to do there bit. I finish at 730 tonight. Yes long day but there is lots of hanging about still. Friday is my short day. Only 11 hours so i will try to have some sort of outing to have a look around. Although i'm back at 6 saturday morning. I could kill for a normal 8 hour day but that ain't going to happen this week. This pick is the bus station at celtic manor. There is a better pic on my camera so i'll show that when i get back. Even though i managed to leave it on my trident yesterday, although someone has kept hold of it.

Home time.

The golf has just finished and the mass exit has begun. I'm queued up waiting to get into the bus shuttle park at celtic manor. There are three routes and i get told which one to do when i get the the front of the que.

Big job.

The park and ride has started. This is the east car park which is also our depot for the week. Its massive. The operation in amazing. Yes i'm blowing the stagecoach trumpet again but to see something on this scale is brilliant. I'm heading as passenger up to celtic manor then upto the west car park to pick my bus up. Not sure what the bus is going to be. There is all sorts here. From 04 tridents to 10 plate scanias. There is 24 from manchester and we are staying in very basic student accomodation in a near by village. the days are all about 13 hours long but there is lots of waiting around in that time so not too bad. I'll post more pics when i get chance.

Off we go

Just at hyde road depot. These are the three lanes that are off to south wales. Just getting ready to leave now. I think it's going to be a pretty long day.

Getting giddy

Just started work for the day. Nice easy 6 - 2 today with glossops then 330s later. I'm at the royal oak at the moment on my first trip. The roads at this time are a pleasure to drive on although it's short lived i'm sure as soon as the shoppers see the sun is out. It's a bit nippy though, luckily the heating on this man bus is working well. It's my last day at ashton today, well for the next 10days anyway. We leave hyde road at 430am for Newport, Wales on Monday to go do the park and ride at the Ryder cup . Looking forward to it now. The drive down will be a bit of a drag but i'm sure i'll pass the time with the usual sing song most of us do when there is no one on the bus. Unless it's just me lol. I'll post as much as i can next week although i'll take the camera too and post somemore when i get back. Off tomorrow so at least i get chance to chill before a very busy week.

In with the old

The area around Dale street in manchester is being used as a movie set at the moment. I did read about it somewhere but here you can see the scene they were filming when i rode past yesterday. Loads me people had gathered to watch and judging by the size of the camp they have set up near tarif street, i'm guessing they will be there for a while.

Slight error here.

Been on the 216s today and i thought i would come back to this shop on the new road to post the picture. I'm out on the bike at the moment, i think someone has made a little error in the spelling on the shop front. Made me chuckle anyway. Not sure where i am off too. Don't think it's too far though as i can't seem to find my water bottles so no mountains today.

Washed out

Not the best picture but you get the idea. This was our transport on sunday to the southport airshow. However it changed to blackpool soon after the airshow was cancelled. It was a very wet and windy day, but we managed to have a good time. This old bus coach thing was nice too. Aging a little but was ok. Back in this morning doing taxis and i'm now waiting in gamesley to do the 842 school. I'm not a big fan of this one. Firstly due to the bridge and also the traffic around mottram is horrid at peak times. Not sure what i'm doing after this school. Thought i would leave it as a suprise for when i get back. However back to bed would be a good plan.

Still here

Saturday mornings are nice in ashton. Pretty quiet until 11am. I'm just on my first of two 7s. Just wondering where this speedwell s49 is going to be leaving from. I think the positioning of the stand will have a huge impact on how many people they pick up. Especially at 4pm when people are waiting 30 minutes for the 409. I can't knock the service too much, i use it alot and rarely get let down. But i don't pay so don't mind if they turn up a little late at busy times. Got the car fixed for a lovely 160quid hence the reason i have worked friday and saturday on my long weekend off. Off to southport tomorrow for either a day in the pub or a day watching the planes. All weather depending. One more week to go then i'm off to wales for the week to work for the park and ride at the ryder cup. I'll explain more later in the week when i get the full details.

Better luck next time

These scratch off day tickets seem to be the new scam of choice. However the lady who tried it on today didn't plan on jobsworth me being sat on the 217. Needless to say she dim't travel and lost her ticket. they even offer to buy a new ticket when they get caught but i find kicking them off is a much better inconvenience to them. I'm sat at shudehill at the moment bored to tears. Since the extra bus was added to this route there is way too much time. It's good for the public if they want a bus to turn up on time but are in no rush to go anywhere. 3 trips on the 347 after this then home.

A change.

I'm just in piccadilly about to start picking up on a 219. Thought i'd try the new phone. This bus does three trips on here but i'm doing just the one to cover part of a duty. Off to the gym after work then home to sort out what to do with the car. The other half decided to put petrol in the diesel tank. Not the best idea in the world but i'm sure i'll sort it. On the bike then tomorrow for me rain or shine.

Ooopss Not Again!!!

No posts for the past few days i'm afraid. Couple of reasons for this. Firstly i was off Satuday and Sunday and have been a little busy socialising and secondly because of said socialising i have managed to misplace my mobile. Yes Again! So another one ordered which should be here intime for my 12 start tomorrow and hopefully should be set up for blogging sometime tomorrow evening.
So anyway, Remember the story ( and yes it was a story) about the breast feeding mum. Well Route one did a nice article on the piece in the 2nd September edition. If you don't read it and like everything bus like here is the link. The E version is very easy to use and a good read especially on this occasion. It's issue 349 if you can find it. If not send me an email and ill forward it page 26 and 27 should you get the chance.

Also why don't we send drivers for the Bus driver of the year competition anymore? It seems all the other stagecoach areas do apart from Manchester? I thought it had been cancelled clearly not.
In all week this week earlies after tomorrows lie in but 3 days off at the end of the week coming up. Southport air show outing from Ashton depot on Sunday so i'm looking forward to that. Never been to one before.

What a shame!

Just up for work. It's 4am not much to take pictures of at this time of day. This is the bus i did the 842 school in the other day. It might be old but it's a lovely drive. I'm doing the first 216 of the day this morning and finish just before 12 which is good because i'm off all weekend then. Sadly none of the manchester drivers are needed for the pope visit next week. I am a little miffed but not too much. There is a bigger job on at the end of the month which we are going on ;) . I gather this was a london bus at some point as there seems to be evidence of double doors?

Early outing

Bus world is a bit boring today. Was up for staff taxis at 330am then as
there was nothing more for me after a school trip to Longendale over the
dreaded Broadbottom Bridge I finished early and headed out. I started
heading for Liverpool again but this time on a different route. I soon got
bored and though I'd go for a more in-depth exploration of Chorton and Sale
Water parks and the surrounding areas. I was looking at increases my average
speed today so didn't take too many pictures. But 51 miles in 4 hours later
I had done what I needed to do. I'm back in on a split tomorrow which is
good because I can head to the gym in-between to carry on the hard work. We
are having a works outing in Manchester on Saturday so I need to burn more
off to make it balance lol. Next week I'm off to Scotland for 3 days to work
for Stagecoach in Glasgow. We are providing extra buses for the Popes visit.
That should be interesting. I am sure I will be posting plenty whilst there.

No where to go.

I'm stuck at the royal oak at the moment. There has been a bit of a smash up. Nothing to do with us but the blocked road means i can't turn the bus around. Will have to wait until someone moves. Not good as it's almost cornflake time.

Late start.

Not much going on today. 216s were ok earlier. Did two trips and was on time on both. A lot of the roadworks have been opened up a little so there is only 2 sets of lights up now. I'm currently at stockport waiting to leave on my 330. Not seen any green buses in here yet. I thought they started in service today. Nice and early tomorrow so might head out on my bike. Will see how i feel when i crawl out of bed at 4am lol.

Almost there

I'm just sat on lumb lane waiting for a driver and thought i'd share this view. The sun is just about to show it's face over the hills. Looks like another glorious day. I'm more prepared today with my shorts on. It was far too hot yesterday.

Another smashing time

It still passes me by to understand why anyone would throw a brick through a bus window with people on. This scania must have been done yesterday at some point. On taxis again this morning. These earlies really don't agree with me. Only just woke up in time this morning. Ended up working until just after 6 yesterday to cover a trip on a 330. It was however a better than usual trip as a used the trident that i had for the school before it. Got another school after taxis this morning on the same bus. It's a shame they are only borrowed. I believe 16189 is in for head gaskett repair so we have 16103.

Just visiting

In at 4am today to do taxis. Next part is a couple of schools. We have 7 enviros in the paint shop at the moment so we have a few buses from other places on loan. I have 17066 which looks like it has come from another part of the country at some point. Very nice drive though. The tridents are always a nice bus to drive. Got another school this afternoon too although i think the kids might be a little quiet today with it being first day back.