TfGM Bus franchising

[TheGrandWazoo]

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.

That is the whole point of the busway. I don't know if you've travelled on it but those features alone are massively more beneficial than a second door. You could have Oyster cards and dual doors but any savings would be soon lost as the bus grinds through Tyldesley to Worsley.

It's a missed opportunity to stress the speed advantage for car drivers.

 

[Bletchleyite]

That is the whole point of the busway I don't know if you've travelled on it but those features alone are massively more beneficial than a second door. You could have Oyster cards and dual doors but any savings would be soon lost as the bus grinds through Tyldesley to Worsley.

It's a missed opportunity to stress the speed advantage for car drivers.

I think there is a case for sub-branding either for the Busway or a generic Express brand. However, keep it simple to start with, these things can come later.

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I think there is a case for sub-branding either for the Busway or a generic Express brand. However, keep it simple to start with, these things can come later.

One good thing about the livery of the "Lancashire Witch / Witch Way "X43 Burnley to Manchester express bus service is its clear branding definition.

 

[TheGrandWazoo]

I think there is a case for sub-branding either for the Busway or a generic Express brand. However, keep it simple to start with, these things can come later.

It really isn't the most complex bit of branding to be honest. It's a bit "one size fits all" - to the average person (and car driver), it's just a standard bus.

 

[stait.john]

Tap on Tap off would benefit Vantage greatly and First Greater Manchester is now the only First OpCo with out it.

Hopefully TFGM will get that started pretty soon after the changeover in September.

The third vehicle le due to be painted has changed to 39245 which will head to Oldham tomorrow for paint prep.

 

[mangad]

Tap on Tap off would benefit Vantage greatly and First Greater Manchester is now the only First OpCo with out it.

Hopefully TFGM will get that started pretty soon after the changeover in September.

The third vehicle le due to be painted has changed to 39245 which will head to Oldham tomorrow for paint prep.

Bee Network has long planned a flat fare system for Greater Manchester, so whilst Tap On would be fine, the Tap Off step would be unnecessary.
The plans were detailed in this PDF in 2021.

 

[landgateblue]

4 electric buses parked up at Bryn Depot!

There are 7 now.

(Image shows a row of 7 ADL buses lined up)

 

[Leyland Bus]

BN Paintshop update, 40758 has now been released to traffic in full Bee livery with Citaro 33028 taking its place in the shop, Volvo B7RLE 30928 is due in also but has been delayed due to difficulties obtaining panels for it...

Edit: 40814 now back from Blackburn, lettered and returned to traffic also.

 

[WWH44L]

BN Paintshop update, 40758 has now been released to traffic in full Bee livery with Citaro 33028 taking its place in the shop, Volvo B7RLE 30928 is due in also but has been delayed due to difficulties obtaining panels for it...

Thanks for the update. Looking forward to seeing a single deck in full livery.

 

[WatcherZero]

I believe they do intend to have a sub brand for BRT and express routes eventually (was talked about in committee papers a while back), but it will likely just be an additional name or logo preserving the yellow for visual commonality rather than a completely different livery.

 

[ic31420]

Out of curiosity, and I appreciate real figures are confidential - how much would we expect an operator to pay for one of the Streetdecks as used at Bolton, new?

It always seems to me that they're a little underpowered; are they almost base spec?

Given their age, I'd have expected more of a hybrid as opposed to the stop start micro hybrid systems, that seem to stop at all the wrong places.

Is the fleet being fitted with the protection bars at the top left edge? I notice a few double deckers have them, I'm amazed that a couple of the branches on my regular route that strike the top corner of the fibreglass don't penetrate the roof, though I have noticed a few of the fleet have damaged paint on the top front nearside corner.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Out of curiosity, and I appreciate real figures are confidential - how much would we expect an operator to pay for one of the Streetdecks as used at Bolton, new?

It always seems to me that they're a little underpowered; are they almost base spec?

Given their age, I'd have expected more of a hybrid as opposed to the stop start micro hybrid systems, that seem to stop at all the wrong places.

Is the fleet being fitted with the protection bars at the top left edge? I notice a few double deckers have them, I'm amazed that a couple of the branches on my regular route that strike the top corner of the fibreglass don't penetrate the roof, though I have noticed a few of the fleet have damaged paint on the top front nearside corner.

I can't answer the cost question but I can tell you that the First Leeds spec Streetdecks have tree defenders fitted and the ex Demo one has it too (along with glass corners) but they weren't specified on the Rotala ordered ones...

HTH.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jun 2023 ==

Also, I'm hearing whispers on the grapevine that Stagecoach have now indeed sold Lockett Rd to TfGM... Has anyone else come across this?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jun 2023 ==

More returnees from paint today were 40721 and 40811. Both have been lettered and will return to traffic later this week.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jun 2023 ==

Another paint bus returned, this time from Blackburn is 40773.

33028 has been completed but is missing "Bee Network" names as these are being produced in white.

30928 and 31408 will be next weeks repaints at BN.

 

[WWH44L]

I can't answer the cost question but I can tell you that the First Leeds spec Streetdecks have tree defenders fitted and the ex Demo one has it too (along with glass corners) but they weren't specified on the Rotala ordered ones...

HTH.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 11 Jun 2023 ==

Also, I'm hearing whispers on the grapevine that Stagecoach have now indeed sold Lockett Rd to TfGM... Has anyone else come across this?

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 14 Jun 2023 ==

More returnees from paint today were 40721 and 40811. Both have been lettered and will return to traffic later this week.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 16 Jun 2023 ==

Another paint bus returned, this time from Blackburn is 40773.

33028 has been completed but is missing "Bee Network" names as these are being produced in white.

30928 and 31408 will be next weeks repaints at BN.

Thanks for the update. Is there a specific reason why 33028 is getting white names? Also is there any added ‘black’ to it or is it overall yellow like the Go North West Citaros?

 

[Leyland Bus]

Thanks for the update. Is there a specific reason why 33028 is getting white names? Also is there any added ‘black’ to it or is it overall yellow like the Go North West Citaros?

There really aren't any places to add black on a Citaro and the huge expanse of glass is almost enough black in itself.

The white names will be same on all singles, as TfGM don't want the names placed inside the advert frames as they'll then be lost under the adverts...

Note: The pictures show Citaro 33028 repainted at Bolton Depot although slightly unfinished.

 

[kiewilk0970]

There really aren't any places to add black on a Citaro and the huge expanse of glass is almost enough black in itself.

The white names will be same on all singles, as TfGM don't want the names placed inside the advert frames as they'll then be lost under the adverts...

Note: The pictures show Citaro 33028 repainted at Bolton Depot although slightly unfinished.

It looks miles better already, especially with the grilles painted black. I'm looking forward to seeing 30928 and 31408.

 

[Leyland Bus]

It looks miles better already, especially with the grilles painted black. I'm looking forward to seeing 30928 and 31408.

They're in this week, I'll keep you posted. The vinyls are due this week also, so those should be logo'd up straight away, 33028 might end up running before they arrive.

 

[kiewilk0970]

They're in this week, I'll keep you posted. The vinyls are due this week also, so those should be logo'd up straight away, 33028 might end up running before they arrive.

Any idea what wrap 40705 has gained? I could only partially see it in depot this morning.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Any idea what wrap 40705 has gained? I could only partially see it in depot this morning.

I'd forgotten about that!

Good Employment Week is the advert.

 

[landgateblue]

Stagecoach have won all 3 franchises @ Queens rd Middleton & Oldham

 

[WWH44L]

Stagecoach have won all 3 franchises @ Queens rd Middleton & Oldham

Is there a link to this being official news as I can’t see anything as of yet?

 

[Leyland Bus]

It's being officially announced at Rochdale bus station this afternoon but staff at HE (and probably the other Stagecoach garages) have been told and my management have confirmed the same.

 

[WWH44L]

It's being officially announced at Rochdale bus station this afternoon but staff at HE (and probably the other Stagecoach garages) have been told and my management have confirmed the same.

Perfect thanks. Just seen it looks like DBNW are winners too but Transdev not.

 

[winston270twm]

Perfect thanks. Just seen it looks like DBNW are winners too but Transdev not.

What have DBNW won?

 

[WWH44L]

What have DBNW won?

Quoted on their FB and Twitter pages

‘Following today’s announcement by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Diamond Bus North West are pleased to announce that we are now winners of 8 franchises across the Greater Manchester Network.’

So presuming they’ve got one more as they were successful with 7 franchises in the first round. Also 40811 is parked up on display on at the announcement in Rochdale.

 

[GusB]

Please remember to provide links to any announcements and make sure that a suitable quote is provided within quote tags.

Thanks

 

[bgbus21]

Quoted on their FB and Twitter pages

‘Following today’s announcement by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Diamond Bus North West are pleased to announce that we are now winners of 8 franchises across the Greater Manchester Network.’

So presuming they’ve got one more as they were successful with 7 franchises in the first round. Also 40811 is parked up on display on at the announcement in Rochdale.

Diamond have only won two routes in Oldham as stated in their statement on the website.

https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/tfgmgmca-franchise-contracts-tranche-2/

TfGM/GMCA Franchise Contracts – Tranche 2 Awards
Following today’s announcement by Andy Burnham, Mayor of Greater Manchester, Diamond Bus North West are pleased to announce that it has been selected to operate the Oldham Small Franchise in the second tranche of franchise awards.

Rotala subsidiary, Diamond Bus North West, has been awarded a 5-year contract by Transport for Greater Manchester and Greater Manchester Combined Authority to operate the Oldham Small franchise in the Tranche 2 area.

The contract involves the operation of two local bus services in the Oldham area, requiring six vehicles and approximately 15 colleagues. The services will operate from Diamond’s existing depot in Eccles.

Under the Franchise framework, we look forward to welcoming new colleagues from the outgoing operators under TUPE. These will be supplemented by additional members of staff who will recruited and trained in advance of commencement of operations in March 2024.

The news comes in the same week Diamond Bus North West was officially accredited as a full member of the Greater Manchester Good Employment Charter, the first bus operator in Greater Manchester to achieve this.

Bob Dunn, Executive Director Diamond Bus North West commented: “we are pleased to have been awarded a further franchise within Greater Manchester. This franchise contract will operate alongside the previous seven awarded in tranche one, and we look forward to further success in tranche three. We are looking forward to meeting our new customers and colleagues in Oldham early next year.

 

[mangad]

Always assumed these small franchises were designed for the likes of Stotts. But rather inevitably they're just going to the bigger companies. Wonder if they'll bother keeping them next time round.

 

[WWH44L]

Also spotted that DBNW had a full allocation of Bee Network streetdecks on the 471 Bolton to Rochdale today. 14 of them on it this morning presumably to link in with the franchise announcement.

 

[winston270twm]

Diamond have only won two routes in Oldham as stated in their statement on the website.

https://www.diamondbuses.com/news/tfgmgmca-franchise-contracts-tranche-2/

Rotala have ordered a further 7 x ADL E200MMC's (11.8m) to be numbered 30685-30691

I have also been informed by a very reliable source, that First Manchester have won all the other small Franchises totaling 35 buses worth or work.

 

[Geeves]

Winston do you know what is included in the Rochdale A and B franchise? I asked the question eslewhere about the 464 (Rochdale - Accrington) but apparently that is stopping with Transdev