Social Distancing On The Buses, Greater Manchester Style

A look at how social distancing is being upheld on Greater Manchester’s bus routes

Scene One: Gem Travel Luxton depot

Stan Butler Junior has followed in his grandfather’s footsteps by working in the bus industry. He drives the 346 to Cemetery Gates, originally the 11 and 11A before National Bus Company took over Luxton and District. After privatisation, it became part of the Molesway Group, which became part of Easyway in 1995. In 1998, Easyway Luxton was sold to its management before falling into Gem Travel’s hands in 2007.

Coronavirus (COVID-19) Measures: Changes to Greater Manchester Bus Services

Important information for bus passengers during the Coronavirus situation

Due to concerns with the Coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic, there will be a reduced service on Greater Manchester’s bus routes. Generally, the City Region’s bus operators will either run a Saturday service or an enhanced Sunday service. This is in line with new government advice around social contact and non-essential travel to help combat the Coronavirus.

Greater Manchester Bus Fare Changes, January 2020

What’s going up, what’s staying the same, and what’s going down?

This year’s bus fare changes could be fairly grim for some passengers, particularly those in North Manchester. The 02 January 2020 sees the expiration of the Diamond Bus North West/Go North West/First Greater Manchester ticket agreement. Instead of one FirstDay ticket for most of North Manchester, Oldham, Rochdale, Bury and Bolton, three single operator day saver tickets cover the area.

Thankfully, System One Travelcards’ multi-operator tickets can bridge the gap, though these are going up in price. Stagecoach Greater Manchester will be raising the price of their season tickets but single fares will be frozen.

Parking the Bus: Bus Routes That Share Numbers with Football Formations: The Not So Perfect Ten

Ever wondered which Greater Manchester bus routes share or shared their number with a football formation?

For many people, New Year’s Day isn’t only about giving up smoking, going on a diet, or alcohol abstinence. January sees the start of a 31-part soap opera known as The Transfer Window. Yes, it is that time of the year which leads to Transfer Deadline Day. The climax which sees Barclays Premier League and English Football League players change hands for silly money.

Bus Route Wonders of Greater Manchester #7: 130, Manchester – East Didsbury – Macclesfield

The Seventh and final one of East of the M60’s Seven Bus Route Wonders of the Greater Manchester area

Since January 2013, the Sunday and Bank Holiday service has been taken over by Vale of Llangollen/GHA Coaches’ Cheshire operations.

Our final entry is another cross-boundary route, this time one between Greater Manchester and Cheshire. At one time, it was a limited stop route with an express section between East Didsbury and Manchester.

East of the M60 Advent Calendar: 19 December 2011

19. A Royal Blue Bristol RE, National livery

A small number of us will start our Christmas exodus to sunnier clines or UK seaside resorts, in a bid to avoid James Bond films, awful weather, railway engineering works or being stressed out over the Christmas dinner. Some of us may start our journey by coach, though on nothing quite as elegant as this one.

East of the M60 Advent Calendar: 16 December 2011

16. An Arriva North West Alexander bodied DAF DB250LF

Arriva North West’s DAF DB250LF joined Wythenshawe depot via London (hence the staircase position). On first glance, it could be mistaken for a Dennis Trident – given the similarity of the Alexander bodywork seen on Stagecoach Manchester’s Tridents. This example is loading at Piccadilly Gardens. On leaving the city centre, it will take a circuitous route into Altrincham via Whalley Range, Ashton-on-Mersey and Brooklands.

Bus Route of Christmas Past: Oldham – Mossley (Brookbottom). Oldham Corporation’s 16 route entered Top Mossley via Lees Road and Grotton, starting from the Town Hall bus stop. In 1973 – 74, it was renumbered 416. On the 20 July 1980, it was absorbed by an expanded 343 service, offering Grottonians a direct route with Bottom Mossley, Stalybridge and Hyde.

Bus Route of Christmas Present: Arriva North West’s 16 route is a Goliath among Altrincham to Manchester routes (65 minutes compared with 50 on the 263 and 25 on the tram). On Monday to Friday, the service is operated every half hour along its full length, with two evening journeys from Altrincham operated by Finglands (three from Manchester). These are operated daily. By contrast, Arriva’s Saturday service only operates up to Sale! The Sunday service covers the full route, albeit every two hours with Finglands the sole operator.

S.V., 16 December 2011