New arrivals

Just coming in for my late shift in town and noticed a few new buses parked out the back. Not sure why they are here yet though. I'm hoping for an easy evening.

Big job

Been in ashton all week and have had a ride out on my bike everynight after work. Earlier i just went into Manchester and then back up the Rochdale canal heading for home. I had to come off the canal just outside town as the tow path was shut. It looks like a big job going on to link the canal to the newly built islington wharf. Should be nice when it's done. Thats if the plan is to do that! Tomorrow is a treat for me. Overtime driving at Ashton. A couple of trips on the 330 with two trips to Glossop bringing up the rear. Should be busy as the carnival is on up there tomorrow. Looking forward to getting behind the wheel.

Something different.

I'm currently on the A6 at stockport watching 192s. This bus was in the depot. It was involved in an accident a few months ago and seems to have come out a little more colourful. The numbers above the door and the side logo are both very different to the rest of the fleet making this bus a little unique to anyonne slightly interested in buses.

Changes In Glossop

This the is Old Glossop terminus oddly in Old Glossop. From what i read the 236/237 services will be coming up here. Maybe 15 years ago when there was less cars about and people respected bus routes as important then that would be fine.
These days though i think it might be a rough ride for the drivers.
This terminus firstly needs double yellow lines. The main reason being, at weekends this area is full of the cars of walkers who head up into the Derbyshire moors and once they are gone there is no coming back for hours. I can sense now getting calls to go and reverse a MAN bus around the narrow roads surrounding this area.

And it's not just the terminus thats a difficult drive....

The route upto it is also a little tricky with overhanging trees that have not seen a double decker bus in many years and a nice challenging road which would be interesting if a waggon from the industrial units at the top of the road comes down at the same time!
Then there is the turn outside the Queens arms..

Looks simple enough but a 12 metre MAN bus makes it a challenge once more.
Then once you pass this, The parked cars all the way down Manor Park Road make for a tricky head on stand off with 4 x 4s who don't want to stop for buses.

However apart from all this. I think more people will be served by the bus coming this way and that the turning around procedure might be made a little easier. As for the folk who live up at the royal oak well maybe at some point the 390 might head up that way who knows.
Will be interesting times for the people of Glossop though.

Missing out! :(

It's a glorious day in manchester this morning. Lots of people in Piccadilly gardens and buses running well. However i'd much rather be at Ashton today. It's the stagecoach manchester, driver of the year finals. So no pictures of that today. Instead a lovely view of the fountain in the gardens. Finish at 4 so i'll get some sunbathing in before the end of the day.

Day Off

As I said earlier I was out on my bike today. Found this little gem of a
place and I didn't have to travel far for it. This is Medlock Valley way I
believe and runs from the Bay Horse at Clayton Bridge to the bottom of Bank
Street. I found it a very peaceful place indeed. Was nice to explore it a
little and will be using it as a cut through from now on. I'm back in work
tomorrow at Ashton. Although looking at the lights set up on the New Road at
the moment I would rather be doing something else!

Where am i

Another place that has turned up and suprised me. I didn't know this was here. Just out on a ride not sure where too yet though.

Trip out

No work this weekend so I decided to head off out on the mountain bike.
Starting with a ride through Heaton Park then headed out to Agecroft and
Salford and then ended up in Liverpool, like you do!

I have done this route before and had forgot how boring the East Lancs Road
is.

It all looks the same.

Pictures were a bit boring but here are a few I took including the X2 just
leaving to Preston.

I got the train back with this being my first decent ride of the year didn't
want to tire myself out too much.

Hope the weather improves for more days out.

I'm back in work tomorrow but off Tuesday so I'm already planning my next
ride. Although I know the East Lancs won't be at the top of the list.

Almost weekend

Was on a survey last night on Wilmslow road and noticed the Enviro 300 we have on the 111s not often you see it on there. Oddly there was also a magic bus and a green bus on the same route. Off to Ashton today once one. I'm just hoping the temporary lights are kind today as Tuesday was a rough day on the 216s. I'm sure you all read about 19065 going under the bridge at george road stockport. I had a look around it last night and got a couple of pictures but don't think i'd be allowed to share them on here sadly.

Creepy weather

Back in ashton today. Been a very busy day thanks to Take That! Only one more day of disruption left but i won't be seeing it as i am off. Still lots of interest in the new buses at Ashton with a chap from Newcastle coming to check them out today. I didn't realise how die hard some enthusiasts are. After talking to a few of them over past few weeks i think maybe a manchester open day wouldn't be such a bad idea. And Ashton would be ideal for it. Who knows maybe one day. Back in on monday in Piccadilly. This picture is today showing the ever changing weather.

Just a quick one

Thought i'd share this from yesterday. I'm sure we all got caught up in it somewhere. This wasa great storm with thunder, lightning hail and rain. I got pretty wet anyway. Off today so had a nice relaxing day doing nothing. Back in tomorrow on a late shift.

Not so bright day.

Very mixed weather today in Ashton. Just finished work for the day and thought i'd share this rainbow thats very prominent. Been a mad day with lots of people about heading to watch take that once more. Back here tomorrow. No concert though so should be a simple day.

Last one

Ashton bus station has attracted lots of enthusiasts this week all trying to get the new bus collection in pictures. One has eluded them. 36430 has not yet been delivered to ashton depot and i think this is it. Sat in hyde road depot waiting to get it's numbers. The other picture is the old bee line buz company vehicle which is getting a repaint after having a new engine in it. It'll be back to the museum when it's done.

Something fun

I'm just sat in Ashton bus station waiting to do my last 216. Have done a late shift driving today for a change as overtime. It's been a real nice change. I do like my job now but miss driving so much so it's nice to still get the chance now and again. My phone has been for a repair too so not had chance to blog much but not much been happening anyway. Back to the day job in Ashton bus station wednesday. Just hope the half term improves the traffic problems we have been seeing everywhere. We get it bad on the new road but i believe first are suffering with the roadworks on oldham road too. I keep seeing 3 and 4 409s coming in at once. We will see. Off to do my last trip of the day. Should be quiet.

Here they are!

All ready for service these are the 12 new buses that will be operating
around Ashton. Whilst a few might not see it a big deal. I think it will be
nice for the people of Haughton green who go to Ashton to sit on something a
bit nicer than a Man bus and same goes for the 346 punters too. I did have a
little play the other day. They are a nice drive a little sluggish to save
fuel but I still a smooth ride.

Pic was taken by someone else I'm on a late in Piccadilly so just off to
work.

Mixed day.

Been in Ashton today but yesterday in Piccadilly was a little damp at times. I took this picture about 4pm as tin clouds started to turn the city to darkness. Luckily i took my waterproofs! Back to Ashton tomorrow then a couple of late shifts before three welcomed days off.

More on the way

Friday will see these new Enviro 200s entering service in Ashton. There is a ceremony at Ashton depot with the mayor cutting the tape on the release of new buses in the Tameside area. Following that all 12 are being sent out to finish the day off in service. They are expected to be out on the 346 and 347 service.

New arrivals

These two ex London buses have turned up in the yard at hyde road. Not sure where they are going yet. Have heard that they are going to merseyside but also they are for Wilmslow road in magic colours. Will have to wait and see. It would be interesting if they left both doors on. It would certainly increase unloading speeds on the 142 service. On a long stint at the moment with my next day off not coming around until Saturday. Today i'm in town with a trip to Old Trafford for kicking out time when the match against Chelsea finishes.

Simple?

I took this earlier today. It was a little rushed as I was at Owens park in
Fallowfield working so the picture is a bit rubbish. This 44 run by Haytons
seems to have caught the stupid spelling bug that the Stotts bus had in
Ashton. Unless 'Piccadilly' has changed the way it's spelt. I'm not the best
at grammar as my blog shows but this sort of thing should be spot on I
think.

Where am i?

Had a day doing a survey today. But where is this? Back in Piccadilly tomorrow morning very early so another night for me. I believe the new buses have started to arrive at Ashton so it won't be long until they are out in service.

It was of course Stretford Road looking towards the Arch which leads to the City. I think i am going to have to go to some very obscure places to fool you lot!

Annoying!

I have been off for a couple of days so thought i would have a little ride into manchester today to soak up the rays and was met by this sign! I could think of better times of the year to be doing work in piccadilly gardens. It's very busy down here today and all the grass is fenced off. Back to work tomorrow. On early shifts for the next three days which are not the best thing for me but gotta take the rough with the smooth.

Broken bus

Just walking in town and this beast is in piccadilly picking up a broken down finglands bus. Unlucky lol.

Paint shop

There is only the one e200 in the yard although i heard 4 were delivered so nothing else to snap at the moment apart from this single deck scania. Looking nice in a new coat of paint. I like driving these. Very comfy buses.

Sneaky Look

This is one of the new E200s that Ashton are getting.(yes for sure this
time)

I read that they are going on the 347 and 346 services very soon. Although I
hope the frequency on the 347 is increased because it's busy enough now with
buses that can hold 70 people.

This picture I found on facebook but I'm at Hyde Road later so will go get
some better ones and post them later. On a late today in Manchester so not
in work until 3pm.

All quiet

In town at the moment in piccadilly. It's been a pretty quiet morning so far although i bet the public will be out once the royal wedding has finished. Am working all weekend but can't complain, i had last weekend off.

New colours

I'm working in piccadilly today and noticed this volvo in new magic colours. I thought most of these were heading down south but obviously not. Lots of kids still off school at the moment so it's quiet busy down here. Still sunny out so topping up the tan nicely.

Not so good day before friday.

Just finished my shift at Ashton bus station. Took this earlier. This bmw didn't fair too well. I didn't get chance to see what it hit as it had moved before i saw anything. I'm off for 5 days now so going to relax for a few days. Been a very busy four days this week. Especially today with traffic problems everywhere. Lots happening at the moment especially with service changes at the end of the month. Too many to go into on here but a few too many services being run by different operators in the evening and sundays because of tenders being lost which i find a bit frustrating for the passengers. Hard to tell people 11.50 is good value when you can only use it Monday to saturday daytime. Sorry i have not had chance to blog much. This job is just too time consuming. Miss driving loads at the moment. Anyway off to have a bbq and to start my easter break.

Week Off

I'm off for 9 days and thought I would have a look around some old stuff I
have since the weather cannot decide what to do with itself.

I found this old fare table for the 236 and thought I would compare it with
the recently released set of fare tables on the Stagecoach website. The
older one is from August 1980. There is certainly a lot of difference
between the two. I don't think the recent fare rise was such a surprise
although there is some confusion over the cross boundary fares for children
into Glossop.

It seems that the best option is for all under 16s in Glossop is to buy a
megarider as the child easyrider is no longer valid past the boundary.

Not sure what to do with myself this week. The bike has been serviced and
polished and ready to go but the weather has looked so upside down today
will see what happens later in the week. The weekend was very nice though
but I chose to spend it with family and friends who I have not seen for a
while.

Will post if I get anywhere special on my bike anyway.

Interesting stuff

Noticed a bit of history being restored at hyde road last week. Looks like an old bee line bus is being done up in an engineers spare time. This moorland bus has kindly given up it's engine to the old yellow minibus. I think from memory they were iveco buses although i might be getting mixed up with some of the little gems that were running at a similar time. Anyway looked like the body was finished and the interior needed some tlc but i'm sure it won't be long until this little yellow bus will be out and about at the rallies.

Where?

Just spotted this stotts 353 in the bus station. It seems there blind programmer might need a little advice on place names. The front destination was ok but the side is spelt wrong. Unless they have changed it. Been a toughy today with all the new fare changes but it looks like people are taking to it. Most buses are loading quicker than last week although there are a lot of passes that still won't scan. Wonder if they have this problem in london?