TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion

[Leyland Bus]

Alot of the issues come from neglect and cheap components fitted during Rotalas tenure. Buses are slowly passing through Wigan Depot for mini "overhaul" which is helping but it's an uphill task...

 

[M60lad]

Is there any truth in what I heard over the weekend that Go Northwest are looking into eventually replacing the ex Diamond Citaroes due to the problems they are having with them?

If so any ideas of what might replace them?

 

[darylyates17]

Is there any truth in what I heard over the weekend that Go Northwest are looking into eventually replacing the ex Diamond Citaroes due to the problems they are having with them?

If so any ideas of what might replace them?

Aren’t they owned by TfGM/GMCA, not Go Ahead? I don’t blame them wanting to replace them unreliable those Citaros.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Aren’t they owned by TfGM/GMCA not Go Ahead don’t blame them wanting to replace them unreliable those Citaros.

They're owned by GNW. They'd like to replace them but you'll just have to wait and see what, if indeed anything, replaces them.

 

[Mollman]

Aren’t they owned by TfGM/GMCA, not Go Ahead? I don’t blame them wanting to replace them unreliable those Citaros.

The transfer was a bit complex but basically Rotala sold the busses to TfGM who then sold them on to Go-Ahead

 

[darylyates17]

They're owned by GNW. They'd like to replace them but you'll just have to wait and see what, if indeed anything, replaces

I do wonder if Go-Ahead could use vehicles freed up from Queens Road to replace the Citaros in the worst condition. I assumed TfGM still owned them. I didn't know they were sold on to Go-Ahead; I thought they leased them.

 

[Leedsbusman]

The transfer was a bit complex but basically Rotala sold the busses to TfGM who then sold them on to Go-Ahead

The transaction was directly between the two operators.
Rotala said “Diamond Bus North West intends, in September 2023 to dispose of the majority of the bus fleet currently based at the Bolton depot by placing these vehicles into the notional asset pool, from which GMCA will allocate vehicles to the new franchises. The incoming franchise operator will then purchase the vehicles allocated by the GMCA from Diamond Bus North West “

Rotala PLC - Transport Solutions

www.rotalaplc.com

 

[Leyland Bus]

It's place in the paintshop has been taken by Citaro 6252.

Scratch that, due a component failure, its repaint has been shelved whilst it is fixed...

I do wonder if Go-Ahead could use vehicles freed up from Queens Road to replace the Citaros in the worst condition. I assumed TfGM still owned them. I didn't know they were sold on to Go-Ahead; I thought they leased them.

Anything is possible at this stage...

 

[WWH44L]

Scratch that, due a component failure, its repaint has been shelved whilst it is fixed...


Anything is possible at this stage...

Is shelve it indefinitely! More trouble than they are worth…

Hoping there are plans in to replace the Citaros, as mentioned, suppose there could be vehicles from queens road but all depends on what they are selling and keeping.

Have you brought anything else into the paint shop to replace 6252?

 

[Leyland Bus]

Is shelve it indefinitely! More trouble than they are worth…

Hoping there are plans in to replace the Citaros, as mentioned, suppose there could be vehicles from queens road but all depends on what they are selling and keeping.

Have you brought anything else into the paint shop to replace 6252?

Not yet, that is currently under discussion.

 

[JD2168]

It makes me wonder if the will have a look at places like Ensign Bus Sales to see if there are any suitable vehicles available or in other places within Go Ahead.

 

[Mollman]

The transaction was directly between the two operators.
Rotala said “Diamond Bus North West intends, in September 2023 to dispose of the majority of the bus fleet currently based at the Bolton depot by placing these vehicles into the notional asset pool, from which GMCA will allocate vehicles to the new franchises. The incoming franchise operator will then purchase the vehicles allocated by the GMCA from Diamond Bus North West “

Rotala PLC - Transport Solutions

www.rotalaplc.com

My apologies

 

[Leyland Bus]

Volvo BZL Demonstrator BV23 NNT has turned up this afternoon at Bolton for appraisal.

E200s 4564/7 have transferred to Bolton ex Wigan.

Photo attached of the demonstrator at Bolton Depot.

 

[MasterSpenny]

I see electrification works has begun at Oldham depot in preparation for the launch of the franchised services.

Electrification work under way at Oldham depot - routeone

Work has begun to electrify First Bus's depot in Oldham, with work due to be finished by next spring.

www.route-one.net

Electrification work under way at Oldham depot​

Work has begun to electrify First Bus’s depot in Oldham, with work due to be finished by next spring in time for the take-over by Stagecoach as part of the Bee Network franchise.

First Bus has worked collaboratively with Transport for Greater Manchester on funding to prepare the site for the second phase of franchising on 24 March.

Stonewood Electrical contractors are installing chargers and infrastructure to charge 50 Alexander Dennis Enviro400EV at the Wallshaw Street depot.

Mike Watson, Mobilisation Director for First Bus in Manchester, says: “We’re pleased to support Transport for Greater Manchester in preparing our Oldham depot for electrification as the Bee Network expands and new vehicle technologies are introduced into the fleet.

“First Bus has extensive experience in the transformation of depots to electric from our programme at sites across the UK.

“We are bringing this knowledge and expertise to Oldham to manage the conversion alongside the continued operation of the depot to serve local communities and the wider region of Greater Manchester.”

The work will continue the staged handover of the city’s services to the Bee Network, with Bolton and Wigan having been among the first areas to return to public control on 24 September.

Vernon Everitt, Transport Commissioner for Greater Manchester, adds: “We’re delighted with the progress towards electrifying Oldham bus depot as we prepare for the next phase of bus franchising in Oldham, Rochdale, parts of Bury, Salford and North Manchester in March 2024.

“Major national and local investment in our city-region’s transport fleet has enabled more zero-emission buses across the Bee Network to replace older, more polluting diesel vehicles. A cleaner bus fleet is key to improving air quality in areas with the most polluted air.”

Heliox will supply 17 Flex 180 kW chargers, which will be capable of charging 51 vehicles simultaneously in two-and-a-half hours.

Paul Middlemiss, Senior Business Development Manager at Heliox, says: “I am immensely proud of our strategic partnership with First Bus. Together, we are reshaping the landscape of urban mobility, focused on sustainability and setting new standards for public transportation.”

Michael Doherty, Managing Director of Stonewood Electrical, adds: “We’re proud to be part of this project. It builds on our work with First Bus elsewhere in its mission to become a zero-emissions national bus fleet operator, providing cleaner air, green growth and improving public transport and health.”

 

[WWH44L]

Volvo BZL Demonstrator BV23 NNT has turned up this afternoon at Bolton for appraisal.

E200s 4564/7 have transferred to Bolton ex Wigan.

Photo attached of the demonstrator at Bolton Depot.

Thanks for the update. Interesting to see if the Volvo gets to go out and about.

Also, do you know what is tracking as BNSP and 1-O1TE5T? Think the latter is duplicating as it shown on both Bolton and Wigan routes at the same time. Was thinking they could be 4143/5 as they are the only newbies not tracking especially with 4143 currently working out of Wigan.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Thanks for the update. Interesting to see if the Volvo gets to go out and about.

Also, do you know what is tracking as BNSP and 1-O1TE5T? Think the latter is duplicating as it shown on both Bolton and Wigan routes at the same time. Was thinking they could be 4143/5 as they are the only newbies not tracking especially with 4143 currently working out of Wigan.

As far as I've been told, it will go out on some routes but it won't be here very long as its visit was curtailed after First Sheffield managed to keep hold of it longer than their allotted time...

Regarding the odd tracking notices, BNSP is a "BoltonSpare" machine and the other is one that has been worked on. Drivers are supposed to input the vehicle number before commencing a duty but must have not done. We've nothing special out on the road so could well be the numbers you've mentioned.

 

[darylyates17]

Thanks for the update. Interesting to see if the Volvo gets to go out and about.

Also, do you know what is tracking as BNSP and 1-O1TE5T? Think the latter is duplicating as it shown on both Bolton and Wigan routes at the same time. Was thinking they could be 4143/5 as they are the only newbies not tracking especially with 4143 currently working out of Wigan.

2 of the Loan MMCs are still tracking so I'm assuming its 4143 & 4154. One is tracking on the 635. Have both vehicles left now?

 

[Leyland Bus]

2 of the Loan MMCs are still tracking so I'm assuming its 4143 & 4154. One is tracking on the 635. Have both vehicles left now?

One failed on its way down to Dorset and got dragged back, it's currently on the pits being repaired.

Further to yesterday's post regarding the BZL demonstrator, it has now been given fleetnumber "2990" for its stay.

As an aside, one for the mods, is there a a way to stop posts being merged? I've now got two unrelated posts merged together when I'd rather they were separate. Is there a way I can post more than once in succession and keep them separate? Thanks in advance

 

[Murray J]

As an aside, one for the mods, is there a a way to stop posts being merged? I've now got two unrelated posts merged together when I'd rather they were separate. Is there a way I can post more than once in succession and keep them separate? Thanks in advance

I don't think there is unfortunately, think you just need to include spaces between your different posts and put them into 1 post to compensate.

 

[GusB]

As an aside, one for the mods, is there a a way to stop posts being merged? I've now got two unrelated posts merged together when I'd rather they were separate. Is there a way I can post more than once in succession and keep them separate? Thanks in advance

There are no plans to change the automerge that I'm aware of. Anyone who "watches" the thread will receive a notification as if it it was a new post, however.

 

[Leyland Bus]

There are no plans to change the automerge that I'm aware of. Anyone who "watches" the thread will receive a notification as if it it was a new post, however.

No worries, was worth asking.

More fleetnews from Bolton!

Ex Diamond Streetdeck 40810 has returned from Rotala having had its engine fitted and put through an MoT and is now numbered 3468 with GNW.

Also, former Queens Road B7 6165 has now officially joined the Bee Network fleet at Bolton, replacing the Citaro that caught fire. It has been debranded of GNW vinyls and has had Bee Network logos fitted.

 

[darylyates17]

No worries, was worth asking.

More fleetnews from Bolton!

Ex Diamond Streetdeck 40810 has returned from Rotala having had its engine fitted and put through an MoT and is now numbered 3468 with GNW.

Also, former Queens Road B7 6165 has now officially joined the Bee Network fleet at Bolton, replacing the Citaro that caught fire. It has been debranded of GNW vinyls and has had Bee Network logos fitted.

I an see Go North West keeping all the Eclipse 2s. Apparently they are 20 vehicles short so more may come from Queens Road, I'm sure.

 

[kiewilk0970]

No worries, was worth asking.

More fleetnews from Bolton!

Ex Diamond Streetdeck 40810 has returned from Rotala having had its engine fitted and put through an MoT and is now numbered 3468 with GNW

Sure it's not 40781 its been getting rebuilt at Eccles for the last month

40810 has been tracking with GNW since takeover

 

[Class 466]

I a see Go North West keeping all the Eclipse 2s. Apparently they are 20 vehicles short so more may come from Queens Road, I'm sure.

Is that what the Gemini 2s from Oxford are for too?

 

[darylyates17]

Is that what the Gemini 2s from Oxford are for too?

Quite possible though I didn't know extra vehicles had turned up.

 

[py_megapixel]

What exactly is going on with the Citaros? I didn't think the type had a reputation for being particularly unreliable so is there some issue specific to the work they are used on in Manchester?

 

[cnjb8]

Is that what the Gemini 2s from Oxford are for too?

Are they not for the school work won in the tranche starting March 2024?

 

[Leyland Bus]

Sure it's not 40781 its been getting rebuilt at Eccles for the last month

40810 has been tracking with GNW since takeover

You are right, very long day, not sure how 40810 got in my mind!

I an see Go North West keeping all the Eclipse 2s. Apparently they are 20 vehicles short so more may come from Queens Road, I'm sure.

We had six spare this morning. We have enough vehicles to run the routes, the challenge is having enough on the road all at once..! You can't have 300 buses to run routes for 198 buses "just in case", we have some spares but we have daily operational challenges to deal with just like any operator.

What exactly is going on with the Citaros? I didn't think the type had a reputation for being particularly unreliable so is there some issue specific to the work they are used on in Manchester?

As stated several times further up the thread, the Citaros (like most former Diamond North West buses inherited) have suffered from years of neglect and sadly, they show it more than the others.

 

[darylyates17]

Is 4131 now a Wigan based vehicle? was on a 362 yesterday I assumed it was for Bolton.

 

[WWH44L]

Is 4131 now a Wigan based vehicle? was on a 362 yesterday I assumed it was for Bolton.

Think it’s just on loan with 4143.
Read on FB that the RHS Bridgewater Streetdeck 3412 at Wigan has gone for refurbishment and repaint today. 3407 also returned from Thorntons today. Good to see these starting to be done again.