TfGM Bus franchising

[Tim33160]

As @Tim33160 said in msg 2214

RE: Diamond have won 6 routes and will work these from Eccles.My error:

It is two routes won by Diamond Bus NW which need 6 buses - and 15 staff - all running from Eccles:

TfGM/GMCA Franchise Contracts – Tranche 2 | Diamond Bus

www.diamondbuses.com

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

 

[bendoyle1983]

I saw one of the new electric Bee Network buses in Swinton today - was Not In Service and had a load of staff members in hi-vis in it.

Assumed it was a training run either getting used to the vehicle itself, or route learning. Odd that it was one of the EV E400s though.

 

[winston270twm]

All these will operate from Eccles depot

No they won't, they will be split between Eccles & the former Arriva Bolton depot which Diamond NW will be taking over the lease on as both an operational base & Rotala Group Driver Training centre

 

[Leyland Bus]

I saw one of the new electric Bee Network buses in Swinton today - was Not In Service and had a load of staff members in hi-vis in it.

Assumed it was a training run either getting used to the vehicle itself, or route learning. Odd that it was one of the EV E400s though.

Not odd at all. Drivers need to get used to them, they also need to brush up on the routes they'll be driving, so why not? Makes perfect sense really. With 5 weeks left to go, there's still an awful lot to do before "Bee Day"...

 

[M60lad]

Other odd thing was the EV E400 that was being used was running on trade plates, what's the legality of this can a bus on trade plates be used as a training vehicle in whatever way possible being route training or type training?

I thought trade plates were only meant to be used on vehicles being delivered to/from a company

 

[MasterSpenny]

Other odd thing was the EV E400 that was being used was running on trade plates, what's the legality of this can a bus on trade plates be used as a training vehicle in whatever way possible being route training or type training?

I thought trade plates were only meant to be used on vehicles being delivered to/from a company

Or could it be that the 73 reg period hasn’t officially started yet?

 

[johncrossley]

No they won't, they will be split between Eccles & the former Arriva Bolton depot which Diamond NW will be taking over the lease on as both an operational base & Rotala Group Driver Training centre

I think that is a new development since that message appeared on Facebook.

 

[winston270twm]

I think that is a new development since that message appeared on Facebook.

The driver training part of Weston Street, Bolton was always staying with Rotala, they've even acquired a 3 storey office block in Bolton Town Centre for use as both training offices & driver accommodation.

Rotala also want an operational base in Bolton to help retain as many existing drivers as possible.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Other odd thing was the EV E400 that was being used was running on trade plates, what's the legality of this can a bus on trade plates be used as a training vehicle in whatever way possible being route training or type training?

I thought trade plates were only meant to be used on vehicles being delivered to/from a company

Trade plates are essentially a mobile tax disc, new buses come with an MoT so using trade plates is completely fine if its not in revenue earning service. They probably don't want to tax them, so they can bump the registration up to the next plate come September.

 

[py_megapixel]

Plenty of press releases and news coverage of the companies that have got the contracts, not saying who is going to operate which route is I think deliberate, it dilutes the idea that its an integrated system if you say route A, B, and C are operated by company X while routes D, E and F are operated by company Y.

Of course another reason could be not wanting people to be prejudiced about the service based on who's operating it. If someone has a bad experience every day with a company Y bus which is usually late/dirty/uncomfortable, and are told that this route has been awarded to company Y under the tendering process, they might be inclined to think "nothing will change, that company's awful" - when in reality, company Y will now be working to TfGM's specification which is likely to be a lot higher than they were previously providing.

 

[johncrossley]

The assumption up to now has been that there will be no immediate change to services from 24 September but it seems there will actually be quite a few alterations.

Bee Network service changes

When Bee Network bus services launch on 24 September, improvements are planned in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester.

tfgm.com

3/4: Wigan - Kitt Green Circular​

3

• Monday - Friday: services start 30 minutes earlier.
• Saturdays and Sundays: services start 2 hours earlier.
• Monday – Saturday evenings: improved to every 30mins until end of service.
• Sunday daytime: frequency improved to every 30 mins.

4

• Monday - Friday: services will run 90 minutes longer.
• Monday – Saturday evenings: improved to every 30 mins until end of service.
• Sundays: services will start 60 minutes earlier and will run 60 minutes later.
• Sunday daytime: improved to every 30 minutes.

---

7: Bolton - Wigan​

Towards Wigan

• Services start 30 minutes earlier Monday - Friday.
• Services start 2 hours earlier on Saturdays.
• Services start an hour earlier on Sundays.
• Services will run 60 minutes later Monday - Sunday.

Towards Bolton

• Services start 30 minutes earlier Monday - Friday.
• Services will start 90 minutes earlier on Saturdays.
• Services will start 60 minutes earlier on Sundays.
• Services will run 60 minutes later Monday - Saturday.
• Services with finish 2 hours later from Wigan.

---

8: Bolton - Manchester City Centre​

• Monday - Friday: increase in frequency to 12 minutes (down from 15 minutes).
• Extended to Shudehill from Market St.

---

8: Leigh - Wigan​

Towards Wigan

• Monday - Saturday evenings: services improved to every 30 minutes until the end of service.
• Monday - Friday: 90 minutes earlier start.
• Monday - Saturday: 30 minutes later finish from Leigh.
• Saturdays: 2 hour earlier start.
• Sunday: 90 minutes earlier start.
• Sunday: 60 minutes later finish from Leigh.

Towards Leigh

• Monday - Saturday evenings: improved to every 40 minutes until the end of service.
• Monday - Saturday: 90 minute later finish from Wigan.
• Sunday: 2 hour later finish from Wigan.

---

9: Higher Folds - Wigan​

Towards Wigan

• Monday - Friday: 60 minutes earlier start.
• Saturday - Sunday: 2 hour earlier start.
• Sunday daytime: improved to every 30 minutes.

Towards Leigh

• Monday - Friday: 60 minutes later finish.
• Saturday - Sunday: 90 later finish.
• Sunday daytime: improved to every 30 minutes.

---

10: Brookhouse - Manchester City Centre​

• Monday - Friday: services will run 30 minutes earlier and 30 minutes later from Manchester.
• Saturday: services will run 60 minutes earlier to Manchester and 30 minutes later from Manchester.
• Sundays: services will run 90 minutes earlier to Manchester and 30 minutes later from Manchester.
• Better integration with first and last Eccles trams.

---

34 / 34A: Bryn - Manchester City Centre​

• Renumbering to 35 to remove clash with Arriva 34 to St Helens.

---

36/37: Bolton - Manchester City Centre​

• Monday – Saturday: Increase in frequency from 15 to 12 minutes.
• Sundays: frequency changed to every 20 minutes (from 30 minutes) during shopping hours

---

126: Leigh - Trafford Centre​

• Sunday: daytime services increased to hourly services, coordinated with route 132 over common section.

---

163: Bury - Manchester City Centre​

• Monday – Saturday: Increase in frequency from 15 to 12 minutes.

---

362: Standish - Wigan​

Towards Wigan

• Monday - Friday: services start 2 hours earlier.
• Saturday: services start 2.5 hours earlier.
• Sunday: services start 30 minutes earlier.

Towards Standish

• Monday - Friday: services finish 60 minutes later.
• Sunday: services finish 30 minutes later.

---

471: Bolton - Rochdale​

• Monday – Saturday: services will run 30 minutes later from Bolton and 60 minutes later from Rochdale.
• Saturdays: Services will run 60 minutes earlier and will finish 30 minutes later from Manchester.
• Sundays: Services will run 30 minutes later from Bolton, the frequency will also be increased to every 20 minutes during shopping hours.
• Improved train connection.
• Frequency increased to every 20 minutes during shopping hours.

---

472 / 474: Bury - Ramsbottom Circular​

472

• Monday – Saturday: services will run 60 minutes later from Bury
• Sunday: services will run 2 hours earlier from Ramsbottom and 90 minutes later from Bury.

474

• Monday - Friday: services will run 30 minutes earlier from Ramsbottom and 90 minutes later from Bury.
• Saturdays: services will start 2 hours earlier from Ramsbottom and 90 minutes later from Bury.
• Sunday: services will start 3 hours earlier from Ramsbottom and 90 minutes later from Bury.

---

501: Farnworth - Bolton​

• Monday - Saturday: late evening services improved to every 30 minutes until the end of the service.

---

524: Bolton - Bury​

• Monday - Saturday: late evening services improved to every 12 minutes (down from 15 minutes).
• Sundays: services improved to every 20 minutes (down from 30 minutes).

---

534: Oldhams Estate - Bolton​

• Monday - Friday: services start 40 minutes earlier from Oldhams Estate.
• Saturdays: services start 60 minutes earlier from Oldhams Estate.
• Sundays: services start 2 hours earlier from Oldhams Estate. Frequency of services increased to every 30 minutes during shopping hours.

---

562: Bolton - Withins Estate Circular​

• Monday - Friday: services start 40 minutes earlier and will run for 60 minutes longer.
• Saturdays: services start 75 minutes earlier and will run 60 minutes later.
• Sundays: services start 60 minutes earlier and will run 60 minutes later.

---

575 / 576: Wigan - Bolton​

• Sundays: services start 60 minutes earlier from Wigan.

---

582: Leigh - Bolton​

• Monday - Saturday: services improved to every 12 minutes (down from 15 minutes).
• Sundays: services improved to every 20 minutes (down from 30 minutes).
• New times for train connections in Bolton.

---

635: Shevington - Vale Wigan Infirmary​

Towards Wigan

• Monday - Friday: services start 2 hours earlier.
• Saturday: services start 2.5 hours earlier.
• Sunday: services start 30 minutes earlier.

Towards Shevington

• Monday - Friday: services finish 60 minutes later.
• Sunday: services finish 30 minutes later.

---

640 / 641: Wigan - Shevington Moor Circular​

• Saturdays: services start 60 minutes earlier.
• Monday - Saturday: services start 60 minutes earlier.
• Monday - Saturday: services finish 2 hours later.

---

V1: Leigh - MRI​

V2: Atherton - MRI​

V4: Ellenbrook - MRI​

• Revised timetable to bring back eight buses per hour on core section (four buses per hour on Sundays) and through service to Atherton.
• V4 reinstated.
• Last three buses from MRI extend from Leigh to Atherton to provide through journeys rather than connection.

 

[abbo1234]

The assumption up to now has been that there will be no immediate change to services from 24 September but it seems there will actually be quite a few alterations.

Bee Network service changes

When Bee Network bus services launch on 24 September, improvements are planned in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester.

tfgm.com

Does anyone know what is happening with the 362 Wigan to Chorley ? It was originally included in the Bee Network, but now on the Transport for Greater Manchester website, it is listed as 362 Wigan to Standish, no mention of Chorley.

It would have been ideal for me if Arriva had retained it and extended the 352 from St Helens through to Chorley as Like North Western did previously. I will now have to buy two tickets from Chorley to St Helens instead of one Arriva day saver.

 

[M28361M]

Does anyone know what is happening with the 362 Wigan to Chorley ? It was originally included in the Bee Network, but now on the Transport for Greater Manchester website, it is listed as 362 Wigan to Standish, no mention of Chorley.

Can't find a timetable anywhere, but the new registration on the Traffic Commissioner's website still shows it as Wigan to Chorley. https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/614713/

 

[abbo1234]

Can't find a timetable anywhere, but the new registration on the Traffic Commissioner's website still shows it as Wigan to Chorley. https://www.vehicle-operator-licens...registered-local-bus-services/details/614713/

Thanks. Like you, i cant find anything else., no timetable or anything.

 

[D9006]

It’s going to be very interesting where the drivers for the increase is going to come from. At Finches I know of 4 drivers that are leaving the bus industry for jobs outside it and numerous people say the same is happening at Stagecoach and First. Even with the increase we have seen it’s not encouraging for drivers to stay as there appears to be an increase in late duties. The Wigan Franchise specified last buses at 00:30 from the bus station. Also, Sunday work is going to be doubled.

 

[WatcherZero]

I'm surprised that no one is commenting on the new Bee Network uniform that all drivers across the franchises will wear. Usually whenever there's a new uniform you hear commentary from those who find it less comfortable, or even from those that just don't like change.

 

[Goldfish62]

I'm surprised that no one is commenting on the new Bee Network uniform that all drivers across the franchises will wear. Usually whenever there's a new uniform you hear commentary from those who find it less comfortable, or even from those that just don't like change.

Surely that's because the uniform hasn't been issued yet.

 

[WatcherZero]

Some have started receiving them, its pretty casual, loose fitting waterproof trousers, a polo shirt and option of sleeveless or sleeved high collar jacket and a baseball cap.

 

[Leyland Bus]

Some have started receiving them, its pretty casual, loose fitting waterproof trousers, a polo shirt and option of sleeveless or sleeved high collar jacket and a baseball cap.

Drivers were being fitted out for them last week at Bolton but as far as I know, no one has them here yet...

 

[MasterSpenny]

Video credit to Coach & Bus Week but its just a video of the 50 BYD ADLs

 

[StagecoachBus1]

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know what bus operator is SWA, as it has come up recently in TfGM school contracts for September?

 

[Bungle965]

Slightly off topic, but does anyone know what bus operator is SWA, as it has come up recently in TfGM school contracts for September?

Swans Travel?

 

[Xenophon PCDGS]

I feel sorry for all those people in West Yorkshire who had to struggle by for 30+ years with separate, duplicated schemes in Halifax, Bradford, Leeds and Huddersfield... let alone those in Todmorden who didn't even have numbers

There were also buses running with alphabetical route information in the Hebden Bridge area such as the service E to Blackshaw Head before they were changed to run a part of the 59* numerical service.

 

[MasterSpenny]

Apologies if this has already been mentioned, but here is the service changes list taking place when Phase 1 of the Bee Network starts on the 24th

Bee Network service changes

When Bee Network bus services launch on 24 September, improvements are planned in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester.

tfgm.com

When Bee Network bus services launch on 24 September, improvements are planned in Bolton, Wigan and parts of Bury, Salford and Manchester – the first to be brought under local control – that will see them run earlier and later, better integrating them with first and last train and tram services.

See more details below:

---

3/4: Wigan - Kitt Green Circular​

3

• Monday - Friday: services start 30 minutes earlier.
• Saturdays and Sundays: services start 2 hours earlier.
• Monday – Saturday evenings: improved to every 30mins until end of service.
• Sunday daytime: frequency improved to every 30 mins.

4

• Monday - Friday: services will run 90 minutes longer.
• Monday – Saturday evenings: improved to every 30 mins until end of service.
• Sundays: services will start 60 minutes earlier and will run 60 minutes later.
• Sunday daytime: improved to every 30 minutes.

---

7: Bolton - Wigan​

Towards Wigan

• Services start 30 minutes earlier Monday - Friday.
• Services start 2 hours earlier on Saturdays.
• Services start an hour earlier on Sundays.
• Services will run 60 minutes later Monday - Sunday.

Towards Bolton

• Services start 30 minutes earlier Monday - Friday.
• Services will start 90 minutes earlier on Saturdays.
• Services will start 60 minutes earlier on Sundays.
• Services will run 60 minutes later Monday - Saturday.
• Services with finish 2 hours later from Wigan.

---

8: Bolton - Manchester City Centre​

• Monday - Friday: increase in frequency to 12 minutes (down from 15 minutes).
• Extended to Shudehill from Market St.

---

8: Leigh - Wigan​

Towards Wigan

• Monday - Saturday evenings: services improved to every 30 minutes until the end of service.
• Monday - Friday: 90 minutes earlier start.
• Monday - Saturday: 30 minutes later finish from Leigh.
• Saturdays: 2 hour earlier start.
• Sunday: 90 minutes earlier start.
• Sunday: 60 minutes later finish from Leigh.

Towards Leigh

• Monday - Saturday evenings: improved to every 40 minutes until the end of service.
• Monday - Saturday: 90 minute later finish from Wigan.
• Sunday: 2 hour later finish from Wigan.

---

9: Higher Folds - Wigan​

Towards Wigan

• Monday - Friday: 60 minutes earlier start.
• Saturday - Sunday: 2 hour earlier start.
• Sunday daytime: improved to every 30 minutes.

Towards Leigh

• Monday - Friday: 60 minutes later finish.
• Saturday - Sunday: 90 later finish.
• Sunday daytime: improved to every 30 minutes.

---

10: Brookhouse - Manchester City Centre​

• Monday - Friday: services will run 30 minutes earlier and 30 minutes later from Manchester.
• Saturday: services will run 60 minutes earlier to Manchester and 30 minutes later from Manchester.
• Sundays: services will run 90 minutes earlier to Manchester and 30 minutes later from Manchester.
• Better integration with first and last Eccles trams.

---

34 / 34A: Bryn - Manchester City Centre​

• Renumbering to 35 to remove clash with Arriva 34 to St Helens.

---

36/37: Bolton - Manchester City Centre​

• Monday – Saturday: Increase in frequency from 15 to 12 minutes.
• Sundays: frequency changed to every 20 minutes (from 30 minutes) during shopping hours

---

126: Leigh - Trafford Centre​

• Sunday: daytime services increased to hourly services, coordinated with route 132 over common section.

---

163: Bury - Manchester City Centre​

• Monday – Saturday: Increase in frequency from 15 to 12 minutes.

---

362: Standish - Wigan​

Towards Wigan

• Monday - Friday: services start 2 hours earlier.
• Saturday: services start 2.5 hours earlier.
• Sunday: services start 30 minutes earlier.

Towards Standish

• Monday - Friday: services finish 60 minutes later.
• Sunday: services finish 30 minutes later.

---

471: Bolton - Rochdale​

• Monday – Saturday: services will run 30 minutes later from Bolton and 60 minutes later from Rochdale.
• Saturdays: Services will run 60 minutes earlier and will finish 30 minutes later from Manchester.
• Sundays: Services will run 30 minutes later from Bolton, the frequency will also be increased to every 20 minutes during shopping hours.
• Improved train connection.
• Frequency increased to every 20 minutes during shopping hours.

---

472 / 474: Bury - Ramsbottom Circular​

472

• Monday – Saturday: services will run 60 minutes later from Bury
• Sunday: services will run 2 hours earlier from Ramsbottom and 90 minutes later from Bury.

474

• Monday - Friday: services will run 30 minutes earlier from Ramsbottom and 90 minutes later from Bury.
• Saturdays: services will start 2 hours earlier from Ramsbottom and 90 minutes later from Bury.
• Sunday: services will start 3 hours earlier from Ramsbottom and 90 minutes later from Bury.

---

501: Farnworth - Bolton​

• Monday - Saturday: late evening services improved to every 30 minutes until the end of the service.

---

524: Bolton - Bury​

• Monday - Saturday: late evening services improved to every 12 minutes (down from 15 minutes).
• Sundays: services improved to every 20 minutes (down from 30 minutes).

---

534: Oldhams Estate - Bolton​

• Monday - Friday: services start 40 minutes earlier from Oldhams Estate.
• Saturdays: services start 60 minutes earlier from Oldhams Estate.
• Sundays: services start 2 hours earlier from Oldhams Estate. Frequency of services increased to every 30 minutes during shopping hours.

---

562: Bolton - Withins Estate Circular​

• Monday - Friday: services start 40 minutes earlier and will run for 60 minutes longer.
• Saturdays: services start 75 minutes earlier and will run 60 minutes later.
• Sundays: services start 60 minutes earlier and will run 60 minutes later.

---

575 / 576: Wigan - Bolton​

• Sundays: services start 60 minutes earlier from Wigan.

---

582: Leigh - Bolton​

• Monday - Saturday: services improved to every 12 minutes (down from 15 minutes).
• Sundays: services improved to every 20 minutes (down from 30 minutes).
• New times for train connections in Bolton.

---

635: Shevington - Vale Wigan Infirmary​

Towards Wigan

• Monday - Friday: services start 2 hours earlier.
• Saturday: services start 2.5 hours earlier.
• Sunday: services start 30 minutes earlier.

Towards Shevington

• Monday - Friday: services finish 60 minutes later.
• Sunday: services finish 30 minutes later.

---

640 / 641: Wigan - Shevington Moor Circular​

• Saturdays: services start 60 minutes earlier.
• Monday - Saturday: services start 60 minutes earlier.
• Monday - Saturday: services finish 2 hours later.

---

V1: Leigh - MRI​

V2: Atherton - MRI​

V4: Ellenbrook - MRI​

• Revised timetable to bring back eight buses per hour on core section (four buses per hour on Sundays) and through service to Atherton.
• V4 reinstated.
• Last three buses from MRI extend from Leigh to Atherton to provide through journeys rather than connection.

 

[Deerfold]

There were also buses running with alphabetical route information in the Hebden Bridge area such as the service E to Blackshaw Head before they were changed to run a part of the 59* numerical service.

This is a long time after @TheGrandWazoo is talking about - he's talking about before West Yorkshire PTE renumbered services in the late 70s and early 80s.

After this the minibuses in Hebden Bridge got H prefixes for around 30 years. Then there was an influx of cash and routes A-I replaced them (later A-E) and then, even more recently, 59x routes.

 

[GusB]

When was Hebden Bridge absorbed into Greater Manchester?

(Rhetorical question - please stay on topic!)

 

[neilcobbe]

Just wondering if in the near future we'll see routes such as the 7 from Wigan to Bolton shared between Wigan & Bolton garages? With TFGM wanting more earlier and later journeys it would make sense to be run by garages at both ends of the route as GMT and GMB did in the 80's.

 

[Whisky Papa]

Just wondering if in the near future we'll see routes such as the 7 from Wigan to Bolton shared between Wigan & Bolton garages? With TFGM wanting more earlier and later journeys it would make sense to be run by garages at both ends of the route as GMT and GMB did in the 80's.

Indeed we did, speaking as a former scheduler for GMT in the 1980s, balancing timetables between garages was an integral part of the job.

But I wouldn't get your hopes up if they are planning to operate local buses in Oldham from Eccles as mentioned above in #2221. I can just imagine the reaction if we'd suggested running such services from Weaste garage (the nearest equivalent to Eccles I guess). Progress, eh?

 

[johncrossley]

New timetables for the Bee Network are now available

Travel alerts

Our travel alert page lets you check for any disruption on the network, helping you to plan your journey whether you're travelling by bus, tram or train.

tfgm.com

 

[Andyh82]

New timetables for the Bee Network are now available

Travel alerts

Our travel alert page lets you check for any disruption on the network, helping you to plan your journey whether you're travelling by bus, tram or train.

tfgm.com

I wonder if they will print the timetables on yellow paper?