TfGM Bee Network - fleet discussion

[darylyates17]

I believe so, hence the B9s being replaced amongst others.

Interesting so quite a few vehicles to replace over the next few months.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Apr 2025 ==

Was waiting for TE628 for one last ride on the 42C From East Didsbury it appears to be a VMD and also went onto a 142 instead from East Didsbury as it was so late,are all TEs now out of service pending their return to Stagecoach?

 

[Andyh82]

The new FirstBus handbook says that First Manchester are due another two MCV Evoras numbered 69647/8

 

[darylyates17]

The new FirstBus handbook says that First Manchester are due another two MCV Evoras numbered 69647/8

These will be almost certainly replacing the 2 Eclipse 2s still at Rochdale.

 

[mayneway]

Interesting so quite a few vehicles to replace over the next few months.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Apr 2025 ==

Was waiting for TE628 for one last ride on the 42C From East Didsbury it appears to be a VMD and also went onto a 142 instead from East Didsbury as it was so late,are all TEs now out of service pending their return to Stagecoach?

Lots of the TE’s have already been returned, I know a load were moved over the weekend back to Stagecoach.

== Doublepost prevention - post automatically merged: 2 Apr 2025 ==

The new FirstBus handbook says that First Manchester are due another two MCV Evoras numbered 69647/8

Are these part of the initial order or an extra order?
Stagecoach waited ages for their final Evora 21426 to arrive. It developed a fault while being driven onto the ship, something to do with the power steering and was returned to the factory.

 

[MasterSpenny]

Two of the Enviro100 EV single deckers for Stagecoach have been registered as 25 plates. Not sure on which ones are going to be numbered as though. Photos (not mine):

• YX25OHR: https://flic.kr/p/2qVwp1z
• YX25OHS: https://flic.kr/p/2qVwEox

 

[toms]

Two of the Enviro100 EV single deckers for Stagecoach have been registered as 25 plates. Not sure on which ones are going to be numbered as though. Photos (not mine):

• YX25OHR: https://flic.kr/p/2qVwp1z
• YX25OHS: https://flic.kr/p/2qVwEox

Nice to see those about when Queens Road is ready to operate them, if that’s still the plan of course

 

[MCRTransitYT]

Nice to see those about when Queens Road is ready to operate them, if that’s still the plan of course

Yep, apparently for 475 477 and 487, i think mentioned earlier in this thread

 

[mayneway]

Yep, apparently for 475 477 and 487, i think mentioned earlier in this thread

That was the plan but pretty sure there’s 7 on order, so unless the rest go elsewhere possibly the 90/94/149 will also see these used.

 

[W176 XMA]

Recently some Bee Network short Volvo BZLs were posted on one of the Facebook groups, don't suppose anyone knows where they're headed? Thanks in advance

 

[Along the bay]

Recently some Bee Network short Volvo BZLs were posted on one of the Facebook groups, don't suppose anyone knows where they're headed? Thanks in advance

Is it not Queens Road for Free Bus 1/2?

 

[mayneway]

Is it not Queens Road for Free Bus 1/2?

Don’t think the Freebus is due anything yet.

 

[toms]

Recently some Bee Network short Volvo BZLs were posted on one of the Facebook groups, don't suppose anyone knows where they're headed? Thanks in advance

They were for Metroline weren’t they?

 

[MCRTransitYT]

They were for Metroline weren’t they?

I thought the 9m bzls would be for Stagecoach to replace oldhams and middletons solo srs so they can go to South Wales I think

 

[xitz2012@gmail]

Recently some Bee Network short Volvo BZLs were posted on one of the Facebook groups, don't suppose anyone knows where they're headed? Thanks in advance

Middleton I think, to replace the solos

 

[MCRTransitYT]

What's coming to replace the eclipse 2s at bolton

 

[WWH44L]

What's coming to replace the eclipse 2s at bolton

There’s only a couple to replace at the moment, 6171/4/5/6. 6171 has already been sent for TV conversion.

 

[darylyates17]

There’s only a couple to replace at the moment, 6171/4/5/6. 6171 has already been sent for TV conversion.

Returning repaints should free them up, only 3 to replace now 6171 has already gone.

 

[M60lad]

Out of interest is there a reason why vehicle allocation on 52 & 53s seems to have been swapped with Evoras seeing regular use on 53s and E300s now appearing regularly on 52s when until recently it was the other way round?

 

[mayneway]

Out of interest is there a reason why vehicle allocation on 52 & 53s seems to have been swapped with Evoras seeing regular use on 53s and E300s now appearing regularly on 52s when until recently it was the other way round?

At the rewrite in January an additional two boards were added to 52’s meaning there wasn’t enough Evora’s to cover all 52’s so TFGM relaxed the compliance so either can work 52’s or 53’s.

 

[route101]

The free bus around Manchester City Centre, is the long term plan for it to be run with deckers.

 

[mayneway]

The free bus around Manchester City Centre, is the long term plan for it to be run with deckers.

it’s a bone of contention!
TFGM is supposed to supply vehicles and maintenance for the Freebus, but obviously since Optare in Trafford park closed and the vehicles being withdrawn through their very poor condition it’s been down to stagecoach to supply vehicles.
I suspect using the Scanias and now the hybrid B5’s is slightly political, and there’s not much TFGM can do! But apparently usage is up, but I suspect TFGM will eventually order full size singles for the the Freebus. As far as I know nothing has been ordered yet!

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

I'm not sure why but there's a London dual-door Volvo BZL double decker in the yard at Hyde Road, it appeared a few days ago. One of the LJ24 registered batch, but I can't for the life of me read the rest of the plate from the train passing!

 

[W176 XMA]

I'm not sure why but there's a London dual-door Volvo BZL double decker in the yard at Hyde Road, it appeared a few days ago. One of the LJ24 registered batch, but I can't for the life of me read the rest of the plate from the train passing!

It's been here for ages doing route learning and driver type training

 

[MCRTransitYT]

I'm not sure why but there's a London dual-door Volvo BZL double decker in the yard at Hyde Road, it appeared a few days ago. One of the LJ24 registered batch, but I can't for the life of me read the rest of the plate from the train passing!

Its LJ24ZKX, a london spec bzl dd from volvo

 

[Pyewipecarshed]

It's been here for ages doing route learning and driver type training

Its LJ24ZKX, a london spec bzl dd from volvo

Thank you both, I've not seen it before so I thought it had just come!

 

[mayneway]

Ensign bus sales is this morning advertising ‘20 2009 Euro 6 Scania Omnicities’ for sale with a picture of one of the yellow examples from Manchester.

Looks like TFGM has finally off loaded them.

 

[baza585]

Ensign bus sales is this morning advertising ‘20 2009 Euro 6 Scania Omnicities’ for sale with a picture of one of the yellow examples from Manchester.

Looks like TFGM has finally off loaded them.

I bet they didn't fetch what they paid for them........

 

[mayneway]

I bet they didn't fetch what they paid for them........

Absolutely!!
I pass them most days in Failsworth and they haven’t been touched from when Metroline rejected them in January.
Be interesting to see who’s daft enough to buy them.

 

[Class 466]

I still think target practice for the army would've been a better use of them

 

[ChrisPJ]

At least there’s an attempt to rehome them and not just leave them to rot away completely then pay for someone to drag them off for scrap