From the old

Thought i would come have a look at the new depot at sharston. I was expecting something like Ashton. Hardly! It's bigger than i thought and looks pretty nice. As new buildings go. They move on the 12th i believe so will have to come for a look after then as the gates are locked at the moment.

A bit odd

After a gruelling couple of days including someone trashing there car on the m67 and someone else bringing the city to a standstill by threatening to jump off the mancunian way. This made me chuckle a little bit. I have been in ashton today which has been relatively quiet. The crowd pictures are the greek fans on the way to eastlands last night at 530pm. Not what the 192 stop normally looks like anyway. Three days driving now so i'm looking forward to this. The bury metrolink is a great route to drive so 2 days on that and 1 day driving out of ashton will be a nice change.

It's here

Stood in piccadilly at the moment covering lunchbreak on the ever so popular 192. It's the first day since i started this job that i have been able to unzip my coat. I seen minus 9 on the plaza a few months ago and now i'm stood in the sun. Just hope it lasts.

Everyday is different.

I'm just on the bus on the way to town. It's nice sometimes leaving the car at home and having a chilled paper reading session on the bus. Especially after yesterdays events. Every bus that went within a 5 mile radius of Denton roundabout was caught up in the chaos due to an accident at midday. I was so Ashton bus station and it was a very very busy day for me. It was only a matter of time it was going to happen on my shift but we managed pretty well. Journey times were doubled but most passengers where very understanding. Although you can't please everyone. It shows everyday really can be a challenge doing this job. And it's not just about checking tickets and ticking boxes. On piccadilly today on the 200s bus stop. Should be ok as the kids are off this week so should have a clean sheet at the end of the day. Back in Ashton tomorrow followed by 3 of my 4 days off spent driving. Saturday and sunday is metrolink work on the bury line. Monday is a nice 1 - 9 duty at Ashton depot. If i can remember the routes lol.

Helping hand

This has been a familiar sight around Ashton for the past couple of months. We currently have 4 extra buses working on Ashton new road each day to help with the problems we have due to metrolink works. They are sent from Princess road depot and run for 12 hours each day. It's not hard from my point of view to see they are such a help. Especially at busy times. So expect to see a magic bus in Ashton for a while longer. Been very quiet in Ashton bus station today, which is where i have been. Nothing spectacular to report. Two days of lates coming up in Piccadilly so i think the thermals will be out tomorrow.

A different look!

These are two of the new Stockport free buses. I believe stagecoach are taking over the service from April. As most will know these buses came from Preston and were painted at Hyde road. Not sure why they are white. I can only assume it's a requirement of the contract to have no branding on the bus? Been a very cold very busy couple of months since my last post. I do miss sharing what i do so thought i would try again. I might not be able to share as much but will see how it goes. Thanks for all the kind messages on the last post. Didn't realised so many read this lol.

The End

The past 18 months since i started this blog have been a great part of my life. I love my job more than ever and trully believe i will succeed in my chosen career path and with a lot of hard work and determination, be the best at what i do. It's come to light recently that maybe not all the content on the blog is seen as in good taste. I have always posted what i have seen as interesting things that show the inside workings of what we do, not only at stagecoach but in the bus industry as a whole. Plus a few days out on my bike too. It's been fun but i am unable to continue with it. It's been nice to be able to fight the company corner from the sidelines and i'm sure any problems that are still going on will get solved in time. This picture is my car on friday morning. Was pretty cold indeed. Back to work tomorrow in Piccadilly at 930 here is hoping for an easy day. Hope you all have a good christmas and all the best for the future and thanks for taking the time to read about me and what i do. Simon.

Out of place

Been in Stockport bus station today and noticed this 51 plate optare. I hear it's from preston and that there are a few of them at Stockport depot? Nice to see the snow going now, i was getting a bit bored of seeing it although i doubt it will be long before it's back. I think Ashton suffered the most with the hilly routes but all in all i don't think there has been too much disruption to services. Even first bus managed to stay out and show some willing when the snow fell unlike last year. Off tomorrow and back in town on monday. Hope it's not as eventful as today has been!

Cold one.

Just starting work. Start at 3pm today on a late. Got a few hours on the 100s then over to the 192s until 1130. My first late doing this and i think it's going to be a cold one. Was minus 11 last night. Had to take the car for mot this morning which was fun trying to make everything work as it should. These buses are in the process of becomming magic buses. I see loads of them now and i think the tridents look pretty cool in the new colours. Stockport bus station tomorrow. Should be a nice change of scenery.

White rest day

I'm off today and the snow is causing problems all over the country. Manchester is no exception. Most services are running fine as per the information on the first and stagecoach websites. There is a few altered routes but nothing too bad. I was at work yesterday which was a bit of a challenge. After digging my car out at 5am i headed to hyde road early to make sure i could get there. I was looking after the 100 services which were all going well until lunchtime when the student population of Manchester decided to have a protest through the city. We had a few delays but nothing too bad. Been a very enjoyable week though. I'm back in tomorrow till 730pm.

One for them in the know!

Here is a few pictures of 12055 Hybrid. I am told that this is a rarely
photographed bus as it was the last to be entered into service due to it
being used in an appearance at an exhibition. It does have a unique
characteristic to it so I am told!

Monday morning

Just in Piccadilly plaza watching the 142s. I forgot how busy it was around here. We get so many questions about things other than buses that we run it really keeps us on our toes. Not too cold today so i can still feel all my limbs for the time being.

Ashton Routemaster Visit

Well it's been a very cold week of standing about watching buses and
checking tickets this week. Was in Ashton for three days with yesterday
being the more challenging. There was an accident in Bredbury which made all
the 330s very very late so I had to do a juggling act with other services to
ensure they ran as best we could until the road was opened. I had a 15
minute services to Hyde from Ashton and back and a bus going through
approximately every 30 minutes. Everything straightened up by lunchtime
luckily. Then this route master came in to collect come people from the bus
station. Looked in good condition too. From next week I am based in the
middle of Manchester on the side I am not too sure about so it will be a
good learning experience for me and I look forward to it. Sadly though I
think it might be a while before I am back at Ashton.

Interesting day.

Had a good day yesterday. The 216 ran like it should once again, with nothing failing on the service. It's nice to see it working so well. The only drama from the day was this Stotts bus having an altercation with a car doing a u-turn in the middle of Wellington road? Yes a u-turn. And this little ex stagecoach, speedwell thing breaking down. I found the two breakdown trucks a little unnecessary though for such a small bus. Oh and a 409 with a drunk that was dart asleep. That was more a comedy moment as the chain of command escalated the issue over the period of 30 minutes. Back here today so hoping for a similar easy day.

Something different?

They say variety is the spice of life. Or so i'm told. It's 5am and like most on a monday morning i can't get back to sleep. Took this pic a while back. Based in ashton bus station 3 days this week. I don't mind it though. Always something going on and the queries from the public are easily answered. 216 were running sweet last week when i was there and so were most things. 347s seem to be the only service struggling but thats down to rush hour traffic and large passenger numbers on small buses at peak time i think. Will see how things are. Managed to get my thermals this weekend so i might be able to move my legs at the end of each day now. If you see someone wrapped up like an eskimo in stagecoach colours it's probably me lol.

Oops

Just on new bridge lane in stockport waiting for the road to open. This is the car that overturned and the picture of it when turned over.

Very mixed week.

Wow, what a week it's been long days with little time to think about anything other than work. But it's been great. Learning so much every single day. This week has been checking revenue monday. Ashton bus station tuesday and on piccadilly yesterday on the 200's stand. Today i'm in stockport. So the first week was very mixed and totally interesting. I think i can get used to this anyway. Not getting much time to blog so will do as and when. Just on my wax to an accident on new bridge lane as the road is blocked. We are not involved in the accident just need to check the road for the 383.

Off Out

Just heading into ashton and this is at the bus stop. I have not been on one of these buses yet but i'll give it a try. The driver is an ex ashton driver so had a good chat. He was telling me about the bullying tactics first are applying on the 's' routes and that speedwell are in the process of complaining to the authorities regarding it. Sad really that it has to come to it because i have always been of the opinion that competition is healthy for the consumer. Going for a few beers with the guys from ashton should be a good day.

Last day

Last day as an Ashton driver today, and it's a long one. Got 3 on a 216 which is good as it passes quickly. Then a slower pace on the 7 for a trip and end the day with a trip on a 330 finish at 4. I start at hyde road at 9 on monday morning so at least i get a little lie in. The new road was very quiet yesterday but yet there was still queues into droylsden sadly causing issues with service. The works at beswick street look almost finished so it might not be long until we are using pollard street again. Hoping for a nice hassle free day today.

Horrible day.

Spare driver this morning. I started at 530 and i'm just at glossop about to do a 236 to Ashton. This bus runs 10 minutes behind a piccadilly bus which gets all the students going to Tameside college. The one i am on too gets a fair few so i hope they all have there scholars passes or there might be a few upset faces in the next hour as i know the bus is front is going to do the same thing. Why should most people pay the right fare and others get away with it. Last night on the 347 was the same. Two forged day tickets and a weekly pass 3 days over was snatched. That part of the job i am looking forward to. 2more days after today. Both early duties too which is good. Got a bit of a leaving do in Ashton on sunday so should be a good afternoon out. A trip too gee cross international bus station after this.

Very nice

Took this the other day when i went for a ride into manchester. It's one of the new centreline buses. I believe they are hybrids. I didn't get chance to have a ride but they look very suited in the city. Seem a bit larger than the crappy solos too. On another note. The past few weeks have been a little busy for me. Having always been someone with ambition. I applied for the position of inspector with stagecoach. 80 people applied and went for an aptitude test. From this 14 people got an interview for the 6 positions available. I was very pleased when i came top of the 80 in the test and subsequently have been offered the position which i take up on Monday. This does mean i am leaving Ashton depot and heading back to hyde road on monday morning. I'm not sure how the blog will go but have no plans to abandon it as yet but will have to limit what i do i think. Looking forward to it anyway. It's been a great adventure at ashton and i have made many good friends. I will be sad to leave it behind.

How petty

Off today and whilst its a bit cold i thought i would come for a ride to town and back just to stretch my injured muscles. I'm on old mill street where the 217/8 comes. For some reason the council have put in these huge wooden logs so people can't park in the spaces anymore. I find it somewhat petty as the cars that parked here caused no issues to passing traffic. There are a few spaces left near ancoats clinic but they of course are pay and display! Sad. Going to head into piccadilly for a coffee then back up the new road.

Lovely View

I'm just heading to glossop to start the first trip on the 390. Couldn't help but stop to look at the valley towards stockport. The mist looks great at this time of day. It's a bit nippy today but this bus is lovely and warm. Got 4 hours on here which should twist my mind somewhat. It's an easy morning but i would have liked something a bit busier. Just a trip on a 346 later and finish for 330pm. Off tomorrow and back in sunday. No gym and no bike this week as i have an injury on my back from last weekends antics! Enough said. Lol.

Here again

Just back at hyde road for an hour or so today. There seems to be more tridents waiting to go in the paint shop to be made into magic buses i assume. I think they look pretty smart when they are freshly painted in the new magic livery. The 59 plate also in the picture is just here for steam clean not for repainting. Got a couple of trips on a 7 later, thats all today should be an easy day once i leave here lol.

Busy route

I'm just at shudehill bus station waiting to leave on the 218. Been watching the 17 service for past 15 minutes. There has been 4 buses leave in that time all with a fair few on. The bus behind is a jpt number 17 too that only goes to middleton. Seems a bit cheeky to be honest. I somehow don't think they would get away with it on some of our major routes. I think queens road run the 17. Just a trip to mossley and finish in ashton. Get loads of time on this route now so there will be no rushing about.

Not so long weekend.

Working overtime today. It should have been my 4 day weekend but i thought i would work the friday and monday. Very little going on at the moment apart from a new batch of britains finest cones turning up in droylsden this morning causing even longer queues. Luckily not for me. I'm on my second of two trips on a 7. Did 2 on the 347 earlier which was totally hammered. I couldn't squeeze another sole on from crown point to guide bridge. Them man buses are ok but don't hold enough people at times. The magic bus has left the depot now. The 842 school is going to have the small dart on it, 33098. Should make it easier to get across the bridge and there is just enough seats on it for the kids so i'm told. 530am spare for the next couple of days so not sure what i will be doing tomorrow or wednesday yet. I suppose it will be a suprise lol. Hoping for some good news this week and will share it as and when it happens. We will see.

Half Term.

Came into work this morning and noticed a few skips near our new gates. The name on the side made me chuckle a little. Sadly I can’t sit here making up lots of jokes about Enviro and Skips but you get the picture. Interesting choice of company!
Busy day tomorrow. Got to call to Hyde road for an hour or so at lunchtime so hope there is something interesting going on there because Ashton seems to have died this week. It’s been very quiet.
I think the main problems we have had this week have been the road works. And this time it’s not confined to the New Road. However. That has been truly ridiculous. Especially yesterday. But I won't bore you with more stories about how people hate us because the tram is coming lol.

We also have road works on Huddersfield Road Stalybridge, So the 217 218 is going like a 348. Chatsworth turn around was shut so that was missed out on the same routes.  Half of Hyde bus station is closed for refurb so that puzzled some of the lads who don’t know the area too well and some gas leak in Stockport earlier in the week made the 330s run slightly late. Like I say. Luckily it’s been quiet.

Just checking

Just come off my 217. What a drag. This first bus inspector seems very interested in the times of the s50. Very rare to see a first bus supervisor in ashton these days. Mixed day. 3 trips on a 216 spoilt by some little shite putting one of my windows though. Followed by 3 hours of dragging my heals on the 217. Back tomorrow at 5am.

Intersting day.

Back to work today. Metrolink replacement on the bury line. First trip was a bit odd. Had one guy at Bury who was puzzled at why he could not use his first weekly pass on my bus. He was soon sent on his merry way no thanks to the metrolink staff in there pantomime uniforms. Come on. How can you take anyone seriously when they are dressed up like school crossing patrols? Then i had to remember the route. This was interesting as i route learned it in the daytime and right now it's still dark and everything looks different. There was then an announcement on the radio of a route change on corporation street due to roadworks so that puzzled me a little. And top that with very tight times it becomes a very challenging drive. Some of the turns need extra attention too as they seem a little tight. Just got one and a half trips on my first part which ment starting at Bury. Two full trips later. Easy money still though. Although i am expecting some interesting characters getting on today if the woodlands we did the other month is anything to go by. Off tomorrow and back in early monday on a split.

Holiday time

I'm off until saturday this week. Just on the 396 heading home from the gym. Had a very easy late shift on the altrincham metrolink service on sunday night. Almost felt guilty about getting paid to do it lol. Only almost i said. Forgot to mention last week. We have started running some night services out of ashton at weekend. I think it's to attract more people into doing it as previously they were all run out of princess road and this put a few people off. I think all depots now run some if there are drivers that wish to stay on after their late shift finishes. Not much else going on in bus land that i know off. Lots going on behind the scenes but will tell you about that in time.