I’ve noticed that too, not gonna complain though. The 524 should be run entirely with double decks like it was under diamond or at least with full length singles (eg a B7 eclipse or a citaro). Those 4 cylinder E200MMCs are really not suited to the route capacity wise.
They work for non peak times but they can get quite hectic when Bury College and Holy Cross kids start filling the bus up and aren’t getting off until at least Radcliffe Bus Station. I would say the same for Diamonds 512 & 513 which in my opinion should be full length singles because they are starting to get ridiculous at peak hours
To be quite honest with you, I didn’t even know the route had changed, I remember the tyrers days where the 512/3 were doubles, must of been on a different route back then
Would it be to do with the E400EVs have started being rolled out?
Yep and maybe a few more bzl DDs too, saw a 25 plate on Hyde road routes
Yep lots more BZLs out on the road, last time I checked there was 5 E400EVs in service + more BZL DD/SD and 400EVs to come
From what I've read on here that's not terribly surprising - if the B9s are owned by TfGM and the E400s are on short-term hire from Stagecoach then the E400s are presumably considerably more costly to keep around, so it makes sense that they would want rid of them first
I’ve been told they will be serviced, have some minor issues rectified and will be cascaded on.
Got to be an April fools
I’m so confused as to whether this is an April fools joke or not! I do miss those euro3 B7s, travelled on 9004 (69197) many times on my local when it was still in service at Queens Road.Got to be an April fools
Stagecoach Manchester hate Volvo’s - although that being said I drove this many times at QS and she was a beast. The only elderly B7 to be painted into regular GNW livery and went like the clappers.
I think it is. It was a sad day when the old B7’s were retired. Best buses in the fleet, unless it rained!
Well someone is awake this morning!!!Got to be an April fools
Stagecoach Manchester hate Volvo’s - although that being said I drove this many times at QS and she was a beast. The only elderly B7 to be painted into regular GNW livery and went like the clappers.
What’s happened with the 4 09 plate B7’s? Were they all converted to trainers? Again like 9004 they were cracking buses when in service it was like winning the lottery knowing you had one of them on a 5 hour piece over a streetlite.Well someone is awake this morning!!!
It was ofcourse an April Fools, 9004 is pictured in a base livery for an allover wrap for Apprentice recruitment. It has, however, been withdrawn from the training fleet, to be replaced by 6171 long term...
Yes, they were all converted to trainers.
Any ideas on what 9004 will be used for now it’s withdrawn? Or will it go for scrap?Yes, they were all converted to trainers.
They still go well, it's amazing how time marches on... I remember 9004 brand new and now it's technically withdrawn
I’ll second that! Those euro3 B7s were the buses I grew up on (along with the W reg citaros) when they operated out of Bury/Queens Road depot. I always enjoyed travelling on them especially the ones with musical gearboxes as some sounded amazing! I do remember a few wet seats when it was raining though
We've opened a new apprentice training centre at Wigan so it's doing the rounds for a week or so regards that and then likely become bean tins afterwards...
What is planned for the other ex EYMS B7s are they planned to become training buses as well?Well someone is awake this morning!!!
It was ofcourse an April Fools, 9004 is pictured in a base livery for an allover wrap for Apprentice recruitment. It has, however, been withdrawn from the training fleet, to be replaced by 6171 long term...
Can never understand why they all haven’t been painted and pressed into service. All were cracking buses when they first came to Queens road.
They probably weren't painted because they were too old, as there's no point repainting a bus for it months later to be withdrawn. These will go this year due to them being over 15 years old in 2026
Quite, there's a fair few fleet movements around August time for this sort of stock...
Will likely end up in some sort of training capacity.
It’ll be interesting to see what is brought in to replace the singles at Bolton that are about to surpass the 15 year limit, not to mention the B9s at Heywood.
Yes, they'll be off come August time and they're heading to Go East Anglia, infact 3269 has already been painted up and gone...
Does the 15 year old limit apply to school vehicles as well?
I believe so, hence the B9s being replaced amongst others.
