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.

Bus driver of the year

Few pictures of the bus driver of the year finals at Ashton today. The weather has been a bit dull today but the mood has been good. I had a try and I'm just waiting to see how I did.

Oh look

I seen these buses on the tv. This one has just arrived at Hyde road.

The boss comes to town

Last night was the turn of Bruce Springsteen to clog the city up. We were very very busy getting the crowds to and from the etihad stadium. Sadly the Friday rush hour traffic slowed us down but we got everyone there in time. On the return journey we had 45 buses from all Manchester depots and shifted around 4000 people in the space of 45 minutes which wasn't bad considering they were all paying. Back to normal work today in Piccadilly and tomorrow is bus driver of the year Manchester finals day so that should be entertaining. Will share pictures throughout the day tomorrow.

Brilliant

Just on my first tram journey from Oldham to Manchester. Must say its been worth the wait. Will be a lot better when the tram runs through the town centre but for the time being it will do. Never knew there was a station on block lane or at drury lane in chadderton. Off until Wednesday so heading out for a few beers.

Already!

I find it very sad and disappointing but the Oldham line has failed already. I'm sure it will be back up and running soon but in the meantime people are making there way to mumps station which now has no transport links and finding out the tram is off. Very poor show once again.

Trumpet blowing time

One thing Manchester is good at, is putting on concerts. Over the weekend, Coldplay have been playing at the etihad stadium and transport to and from has been my task for the weekend. It's been a busy and fun job. We had 10 buses travelling to the ground with buses at times leaving Piccadilly in twos on an eight minute service but the real fun part is bringing everyone back. 35 buses all lined up along Ashton new road and using grey mare lane as a storage area for the ones we couldn't fit on the main road. 6 pens were made into a mini bus station which housed the first twelve buses. Finally got home at 1:45 this morning. All passengers were moved, yes a not slower then expected as the traffic was rubbish. But a very successful weekend for us. Back to reality today. And back on familiar ground after a few weeks away from Ashton.

New buses

Was on the way out today and noticed this brand new bus parked in Hyde road. I believe there was more parked outside but I didn't have time to look. They are the first for Manchester with the new 10*** numbers in them. Euro 6 engines and I heard they were possibly for the 76 route. Will see.

Closed again

After a nice break I decided to have a ride out on the bike. Passed through Oldham town centre and noticed king street closed once more. I'm sure there will be more misery to follow.

Whats this

Just in Chester and noticed this bus. Looks familiar. Any ideas what the history is? I couldn't get out quick enough for a reg number

Finished

I couldn't get to the front but here are The jubilee buses looking fantastic

Getting worse

One thing we had problems with over the weekend was taxi drivers parking in bus stops. It really annoys me and no one seems to care about it. On Sunday I spent more time moving them off the stand which we
Used to load the rugby buses. Blocking them in seems to push the right buttons to wind them up though.

Almost there

One tram line that is desperately needed Is the Oldham line. It looks very close to opening now and just noticed this tram on driver training stopping at dean lane heading unto Oldham.

School buses

I took this last week and forgot to post it. Looks the business from the front but I haven't seen an optare so long.

Sneaky peek

Here are a few shots of the not yet finished jubilee buses. I think the new colours look great. I think they will probably be out by weekend.

Mad day

Just on the way home and noticed the bypass in Ashton was shut. Looks like this transit minibus has hit something or someone and because of that all the traffic is going up penny meadow. The rugby today at the etihad has caused so much hassle with the services which pass it. Far too many people with sadly not buses to get them there. Add to that the shooting in droylsden and all spells a really crap day. Home now and tomorrow I have the buses to the etihad to sort out so will not be looking forward to work tomorrow.

Blazing hot

Had a very sweaty day in Piccadilly today. Buses were all running well in the 216 service and everyone seemed in a good mood today which is always nice. Had one guy playing his accordion had the police on site and noticed even more branding on the first buses with Greater Manchester now on the sides of some of the fleet. I can't help but think now though that everyday the fleet seems to differ slightly and that they might be losing a bit of identity along the line. Just my opinion. Back in town tomorrow. No Ashton for a couple more weeks and I'm enjoying the change to be honest. Let's just hope the weather stays as nice as it is at the moment.

Odd

One joy of working in the city is you get to see some very odd things.

Another one

Are first branding all the buses in specific routes. First the 409 and now the 58 59 service.

Ready for action

Ex London trident 17200 is looking very well after its refurb. I think it's one of a few which are now being used for service. I'm not sure where the others are being stored though but in sure they will all be out whilst the Olympics are on. Just starting work, ended up with 4 late shifts this week but my long weekend starts tomorrow. Well after a day driving a bus at Ashton for overtime it does.

It's only a game?

Here are some of the pictures from yesterday. I was working on the 216 service in Piccadilly. Whilst the match was on there was nothing special going on but after it finished and the city fans started coming into town it started turning a little ugly. At one point we has to run the service from Stevenson square in case the buses turned into targets. Elsewhere a 219 lost a window and some buses were soiled by people who couldn't hold their drink. It went quiet about 10pm but I have no doubt there will be some sore heads today. I'm on the late today too which should be fun because the victory parade is on :( I'll just be glad to see the back of the season.

Nice app

 

I found this great app on iTunes the other day and thought I would share it. It's called nextbuses it finds where you are and tells you the next buses that are due from the nearest stop.

Unclean

This one must have escaped the wash last night. This is the 396 out of Ashton bus staton not looking in the cleanest of conditions have not been to Ashton all week which is a nice change and it looks like I Wont be here much for the next few weeks with holidays and other things going on.

Change of scenery

Not had much time to blog recently with lots going on at work. Today i'm in Stockport on the A6. Not sure if the schools are closed with the strikes but today has been very easy. Just hope the afternoon is the same. I heard there are 40 more hybrids being delivered for the 192 service but not sure when they are arriving. Apart from that not much else going on. New radio system is up and running although i have yet to see the benefits as not all buses are fitted with the new ones yet.