TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion

[Leyland Bus]

This brings the question, whats heppened with 3042 (BT66 MRU), it is ages since that was involved in an accident, and its been out of service for more than 5 months, I know the car that crashed into it was destroyed by fire, but as far as I was aware the bus wasn't touched by the fire, as the fire started once the car had bounced off it. What is taking the time with it, as there seems to now be a shortage of Vantage stock, as 3302 (BX14 SYT) seems to regularly end up being used, and as far as I am aware, doesn't carry Guide Wheels. What is actually happening on those journeys? Is it operating along the Busway without Guide Wheels, as the time keeping appears to be very good, when you look on Bus Times, or is it being used on nearby roads, as was the case under First when they had shortages of Vantage buses?

Non guide wheeled buses take a route that doesn't use the busway.

 

[py_megapixel]

Non guide wheeled buses take a route that doesn't use the busway.

Do they still run under the V1/V2 route number? If so that must be extremely confusing. In fact is there any indication to passengers boarding in e.g. Leigh or Manchester that the bus is not following the usual route?

 

[Leyland Bus]

Do they still run under the V1/V2 route number? If so that must be extremely confusing. In fact is there any indication to passengers boarding in e.g. Leigh or Manchester that the bus is not following the usual route?

Oh yes, the service number doesn't change. I presume the driver must mention it...

 

[WibbleWobble]

Do they still run under the V1/V2 route number? If so that must be extremely confusing. In fact is there any indication to passengers boarding in e.g. Leigh or Manchester that the bus is not following the usual route?

To be fair, it is usually a fixed route that runs close to the busway, and is used when sections are closed for any reason - it's something like East Bond Street, Holden Road, Manchester Road (Leigh / Astley), Prince's Avenue, Astley Street, Tyldesley one way system, Manchester Road (Tyldesley), Sale Lane, Mosley Common Road, Bridgewater Road. Buses can still serve Astley Street Interchange, but otherwise uses equivalent stops on the diversion route (apart from Cooling Lane which is omitted completely).

 

[GusB]

A reminder: this thread is intended for posting updates about the Bee Network fleet. Please stay on topic. Thanks

 

[darylyates17]

Is it likely the remaining E400s at Queens Road will join the rest at Wigan? makes sense if they do.

 

[GCH100]

Is it likely the remaining E400s at Queens Road will join the rest at Wigan? makes sense if they do.

Its already been reported elsewhere that these are being prepared for the Schoolbus fleet at Heywood. Wigan at this stage does not require additional vehicles.

 

[darylyates17]

Its already been reported elsewhere that these are being prepared for the Schoolbus fleet at Heywood. Wigan at this stage does not require additional vehicles.

Makes sense then If Wigan doesn't need them.

 

[kiewilk0970]

Diamonds Streetdeck 40730 has been sent away for interior refurb into Bee Network spec

 

[stait.john]

Ex-Solent Streetlite 47418 is at Mellor for repaint into Bee Network livery for First Rochdale.

 

[Leyland Bus]

GNW 3302 has now been fitted with guide wheels for use on the busway.

Also, the final Vantage B5LH has now joined its siblings following repairs to damage caused just before the Franchise kicked in on New Brook Road. It has become 3042 in the GNW fleet.

 

[WWH44L]

Must be all part of the master plan!

Apart from the cross city vehicles, do you know how many others will make up the schools fleet yet? And also any planned moves from queens rd to either Bolton or Wigan?

Did you manage to get anything in the paint shop this week?

 

[Leyland Bus]

Did you manage to get anything in the paint shop this week?

No, we've completely repainted the tyre shop, top to toe! Quite a large undertaking involving us roping in two apprentices!

We should have a B7 in next week to paint grey and blue for Heywood depot...

 

[WWH44L]

No, we've completely repainted the tyre shop, top to toe! Quite a large undertaking involving us roping in two apprentices!

We should have a B7 in next week to paint grey and blue for Heywood depot...

Sounds like a job and a half!

Do you know if GNW have a deadline to get everything painted into yellow (or blue and grey for schools)?

 

[Russel]

Regarding the blue and grey school livery, is that just a GNW thing or a wider Bee Network thing?

Any photos?

 

[Fin447]

Regarding the blue and grey school livery, is that just a GNW thing or a wider Bee Network thing?

Any photos?

I assume they are referring to the standard GNW livery

 

[Leyland Bus]

Regarding the blue and grey school livery, is that just a GNW thing or a wider Bee Network thing?

Any photos?

It's standard GNW livery...

Sounds like a job and a half!

Do you know if GNW have a deadline to get everything painted into yellow (or blue and grey for schools)?

It was!!!


The blue buses are bound by a 2 year clause so there's plenty time to sort those out. As for the schools fleet, they just want them to look presentable and uniform for the commencement.

 

[JD2168]

Quite a number of ex First Bristol B7RLE’s have been seen in service in Bee Network livery looking rather smart.

 

[Kianlewis48]

With Tranche 2 less than 2 months away is there any news on Oldham's electric buses? As when Bolton got theirs they were starting to appear on driver training duties around this time however they doesn’t seem to be any signs on Oldham’s.

 

[GCH100]

With Tranche 2 less than 2 months away is there any news on Oldham's electric buses? As when Bolton got theirs they were starting to appear on driver training duties around this time however they doesn’t seem to be any signs on Oldham’s.

Could be due to the strike at the Falkirk plant of ADL, that will no doubt affect deliveries.

 

[Lewisham2221]

Quite a number of ex First Bristol B7RLE’s have been seen in service in Bee Network livery looking rather smart.

There's quite a number of "Bath City" and "Discover" branded B7RLE's (no fleetnumbers, sorry) going through the First Potteries paintshop at present, for Bee Network repaints.

 

[Whiteway215]

There's quite a number of "Bath City" and "Discover" branded B7RLE's (no fleetnumbers, sorry) going through the First Potteries paintshop at present, for Bee Network repaints.

69445/6/7 69500/1/5/6/7/9/10/11 were the ones recently transferred from First West of England. 69500/1 were formerly at Lawrence Hill depot Bristol while the others came from Weston Island Depot, Bath.
I believe 69445/500/501 are already repainted

 

[bgbus21]

69445/6/7 69500/1/5/6/7/9/10/11 were the ones recently transferred from First West of England. 69500/1 were formerly at Lawrence Hill depot Bristol while the others came from Weston Island Depot, Bath.
I believe 69445/500/501 are already repainted

So far 69445/446/500/501/511 from First Bristol, Bath and the West are currently done and in service.

 

[GCH100]

According to the FirstGroup Bus Handbook, also ordered for Rochdale are 69623-69638 Volvo B8RLE with MCV eVoRa bodies. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with Mellor Strata Ultra bodies are to be numbered 58001-58017.

 

[stait.john]

47418 now back from repaint in yellow and is at Oldham.

63109/10 have transferred in from First Leicester.

 

[darylyates17]

According to the FirstGroup Bus Handbook, also ordered for Rochdale are 69623-69638 Volvo B8RLE with MCV eVoRa bodies. The Mercedes-Benz Sprinters with Mellor Strata Ultra bodies are to be numbered 58001-58017.

Will these replace the B7RLEs?

 

[GCH100]

Will these replace the B7RLEs?

I think they may be additional vehicles.

 

[WWH44L]

Seen a couple of photos on Facebook of a few Go North West streetdecks at Bus & Coach World in from repaint & refurb including 3416/24/79. E200MMC 4132 is also there for some reason.

Another photo shows Bolton Citaro 6250 at Wigan for mechanical work looking freshly repainted and refurbished.

 

[Dallamlad]

Seen a couple of photos on Facebook of a few Go North West streetdecks at Bus & Coach World in from repaint & refurb including 3416/24/79. E200MMC 4132 is also there for some reason.

Another photo shows Bolton Citaro 6250 at Wigan for mechanical work looking freshly repainted and refurbished.

Without mentioning how reliable it is, 6250 looks really smart inside and out. Yellow looks good on it.

 

[Class 466]

I saw a post on facebook that suggested GNW were transferring 19 low height B5LH Gemini 2s to Heywood to replace the Scanias which would in turn temporarily go to Queens Road whilst Stagecoach await their MMC order - is there any truth to it?