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.

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.