TfGM Bus franchising

[WWH44L]

Yes it’s in the amended livery. Up for MOT then should be back on the road.

Are the vantage ones being painted at Oldham or just going there for prep etc?

 

[stait.john]

Are the vantage ones being painted at Oldham or just going there for prep etc?

They’re going to Oldham for prep then going to Reads near Blackburn, then returning to Oldham for vinyl application.

 

[winston270twm]

New ADL E200MMC's currently on order in Bee Network Livery for the 7 small franchises are as follows:

25 x 9.7m (27 Seaters) - numbered 20600-20624
35 x 11.8m (37 Seaters) - numbered 30650-30684

These are due for delivery during Jan 2024

Source Rotala Group Fleetlist 05/06/23

 

[Goldfish62]

New ADL E200MMC's currently on order in Bee Network Livery for the 7 small franchises are as follows:

25 x 9.7m (27 Seaters) - numbered 20600-20624
35 x 11.8m (37 Seaters) - numbered 30650-30684

These are due for delivery during Jan 2024

Source Rotala Group Fleetlist 05/06/23

So, is there going to be a fleet of 60 loan vehicles painted yellow just for four months?

 

[Leyland Bus]

So, is there going to be a fleet of 60 loan vehicles painted yellow just for four months?

I wouldn't have thought so... come the end of September, every bus in the franchise area isn't going to turn yellow all of a sudden, so buses will run in whatever colour they are now.

More pertinent to the question (which we've asked here but to no avail) is what will happen regarding branding, once it all kicks in, on vehicles not yet painted yellow...

 

[JetBlast]

Who will own new buses coming into service please? Are they owned by TFGM as they seem to be placing the orders? Thanks.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I wouldn't have thought so... come the end of September, every bus in the franchise area isn't going to turn yellow all of a sudden, so buses will run in whatever colour they are now.

Isn't this the point of (as many as possible of) the buses being yellowed now instead of in September

More pertinent to the question (which we've asked here but to no avail) is what will happen regarding branding, once it all kicks in, on vehicles not yet painted yellow...

I'd assume all company names (e.g. Diamond) covered by a sticker/removed like we see for trains or busses that recently moved from somewhere else.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Isn't this the point of (as many as possible of) the buses being yellowed now instead of in September

I'd assume all company names (e.g. Diamond) covered by a sticker/removed like we see for trains or busses that recently moved from somewhere else.

"As many as possible" is a common phrase thrown around. It still takes almost a week to paint a bus and there are only so many buses that can be painted at any one time, even when done by outside contractors. It'll take years for every bus to be painted yellow and then to start keeping on top of the them ad infinitum...

As for branding... who knows..!

 

[Goldfish62]

I wouldn't have thought so... come the end of September, every bus in the franchise area isn't going to turn yellow all of a sudden, so buses will run in whatever colour they are now.

More pertinent to the question (which we've asked here but to no avail) is what will happen regarding branding, once it all kicks in, on vehicles not yet painted yellow...

I have been told that the mayor is insisting on every bus in Tranche 1 being yellow by Day 1. It's a red line for him. That is why repaints have started already

 

[Leyland Bus]

I have been told that the mayor is insisting on every bus in Tranche 1 being yellow by Day 1. It's a red line for him. That is why repaints have started already

Did he tell you that himself?
134 buses being left at Bolton, there's around twenty or so been painted currently and there are about 16 weeks to change over. I've been privvy to conversations with TfGM and know what the target is for yellow buses at Bolton so I can tell you what you've been told is utter nonsense.

It seems that GoAhead will have to find replacements for every bus running out of WN, they won't be all yellow either.

 

[winston270twm]

Who will own new buses coming into service please? Are they owned by TFGM as they seem to be placing the orders? Thanks.

The 60 x E200MMC's on order for Rotala, will be owned by Rotala.

I have been told that the mayor is insisting on every bus in Tranche 1 being yellow by Day 1. It's a red line for him. That is why repaints have started already

The TfGM Franchise livery pack shows for both interim fleet & retained buses awaiting repaint in to Bee Network, that existing operators livery can be retained, including their fleetnames to sides with only a Yellow Bee Network logo required on the front. Plus the "I'm getting ready to join the Bee Network" speech bubble on the side windows.

 

[Goldfish62]

The TfGM Franchise livery pack shows for both interim fleet & retained buses awaiting repaint in to Bee Network, that existing operators livery can be retained, including their fleetnames to sides with only a Yellow Bee Network logo required on the front.

Thanks. Interesting. Someone has obviously persuaded him.

 

[winston270twm]

Thanks. Interesting. Someone has obviously persuaded him.

Or he's seen sense. It would be impossible to paint the entire Bolton & Wigan fleets over the summer to be all in Bee Network Livery from 24/09/23

 

[Surreyman]

Sounds like the Wigan Stagecoach fleet is no

It seems that GoAhead will have to find replacements for every bus running out of WN, they won't be all yellow either.

Stagecoach will presumably cascade the Wigan fleet to other GM depots/ or its other operations, does this mean that the Wigan depot is being sold to TfGM?

 

[Leyland Bus]

Sounds like the Wigan Stagecoach fleet is no

Stagecoach will presumably cascade the Wigan fleet to other GM depots/ or its other operations, does this mean that the Wigan depot is being sold to TfGM?

As far as is known, no. Unless its changed, TfGM were having a depot built at Markland Mill instead.

 

[Man of Kent]

As far as is known, no. Unless its changed, TfGM were having a depot built at Markland Mill instead.

Which, according to the Wigan council website, has still not being granted planning permission almost a year after the application (A/22/93738) was submitted.

 

[andrewbowden]

Sounds like the Wigan Stagecoach fleet is no

Stagecoach will presumably cascade the Wigan fleet to other GM depots/ or its other operations, does this mean that the Wigan depot is being sold to TfGM?

Stagecoach have won various schools contracts in Salford, Bolton and Wigan, needing 51 buses. Presumably they will be based at their current Wigan depot.

Stagecoach is set to take over a number of school bus contracts across Wigan

Stagecoach has announced it has been selected to operate a number of school contracts in Greater Manchester.

www.wigantoday.net

The bus company will provide services to schools in Wigan, Bolton and Salford as part of the first phase of franchising.

Lee Wasnidge, Managing Director of Stagecoach Manchester, said: “We are proud to have been selected to operate some of the first new franchised contracts for school services in Wigan, Bolton and Salford.

“We know there has been strong competition for these contracts, and we are pleased that with this successful bid we have been entrusted with the responsibility of delivering important transport connections for young people in our region.
“Under these contracts, 17 schools will be served by a fleet of 51 buses and 23 employees will transfer across from existing operators.
“We now look forward to working in partnership with Greater Manchester Combined Authority, Transport for Greater Manchester and the Mayor as part of the plan to reregulate bus services in the city region under the new Bee Network.
“The award of these contracts is a testament to the hard work, dedication and exceptional service delivered by our fantastic team at Stagecoach Manchester and we are committed to providing safe, reliable and efficient services to enable young people in Wigan, Bolton and Salford to access education.”

 

[WatcherZero]

Which, according to the Wigan council website, has still not being granted planning permission almost a year after the application (A/22/93738) was submitted.

It may well be that the planning application hasnt progressed as Stagecoach have agreed to sell so its only being retained as an active application in case Stagecoach change their mind before its finalised.

the trouble is, everywhere outside London uses ITSO smart cards which are a great deal slower than the Oyster card system.

TOTO (tap on-tap off) has proved to speed up boarding on First West of England as no ticket is issued. Ticketer machines can be very slow at picking up the card for card payments when a ticket is issued, it’s actually quicker to pay cash when issuing a ticket if correct fare is tendered.

John

3/4 of barrier transactions in London are now on contactless bank cards and mobile phones using Apple Pay which negates the speed advantage.

 

[Ancelljb]

Is there a list of routes being taken over in September by the respective companies (Go North West for the 2 large franchises, Diamond for the smaller ones etc.)? I've had a skim through and can't see anything on this thread, and upon Googling I found a TfGM document which lists the routes by destinations rather than number so not overly useful.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

I found a TfGM document which lists the routes by destinations rather than number so not overly useful.

Could be worked with, as much as "Leigh - Wigan" has 4 different routes (8, 9, 10, 10a) there's very few overlaps like that. That would be very useful if you could link it.

 

[Ancelljb]

Could be worked with, as much as "Leigh - Wigan" has 4 different routes (8, 9, 10, 10a) there's very few overlaps like that. That would be very useful if you could link it.

Having looked back and found it again, it was in fact an initial draft document for the scheme, which I believe covers the whole franchising scheme. Linking here anyway, but believe this lists all routes to be brought into the Bee Network, not just the ones in September.

 

[stait.john]

FirstBus news: once 39238 is back from repaint 39257 will be next in for paint.

 

[Leyland Bus]

FirstBus news: once 39238 is back from repaint 39257 will be next in for paint.

Excellent, thanks for the update!

Former FirstBus demonstrator 36300 has arrived at QS from Thorntons in full Bee Livery, with TfGM spec interior etc etc. I think this had been running with East Yorkshire after its demo days?

There are pictures on Flickr but the option to link to it from the app has been disabled.

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Excellent, thanks for the update!

Former FirstBus demonstrator 36300 has arrived at QS from Thorntons in full Bee Livery, with TfGM spec interior etc etc. I think this had been running with East Yorkshire after its demo days?

There are pictures on Flickr but the option to link to it from the app has been disabled.

This?

BF63 HDC

Following a full refurbishment at Thorntons, ex demonstration vehicle which once served as First 36300, returns to Queens Road 10 years later to become GNW 3301 in prep for Bee Network.

www.flickr.com

 

[Leyland Bus]

This?

BF63 HDC

Following a full refurbishment at Thorntons, ex demonstration vehicle which once served as First 36300, returns to Queens Road 10 years later to become GNW 3301 in prep for Bee Network.

www.flickr.com

Not the picture(s) I'd seen but yeah, ta for that

 

[pokemonsuper9]

First V-Bus has been spotted in yellow, it's been running today.

First Manchester 39240 (BL65YZG)

Volvo B5TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 The first Vantage bus to be Bee Network liveried.

www.flickr.com

 

[landgateblue]

4 electric buses parked up at Bryn Depot!

 

[Mollman]

First V-Bus has been spotted in yellow, it's been running today.

First Manchester 39240 (BL65YZG)

Volvo B5TL Wright Eclipse Gemini 3 The first Vantage bus to be Bee Network liveried.

www.flickr.com

Bit disappointing that they are not going to have any special branding for the busway

 

[pokemonsuper9]

Bit disappointing that they are not going to have any special branding for the busway

I kinda wish they'd at least put BUSWAY in text on the side, since without the only thing that sets them to being busway ones is the tiny guide wheels some people probably don't even know about.

 

[johncrossley]

Bit disappointing that they are not going to have any special branding for the busway

Other than the bus lanes and guided busway, it has no other BRT feature, so arguably doesn't deserve special branding. It has the same driver payment system and single door operation as all other routes.