Stalybridge Bus Station for Beginners

Almost Everything you need to know about Stalybridge bus station

Stalybridge bus station is a modest, unstaffed bus station with a single island platform. It has four stands and lacks layover facilities. You may argue that the town has two bus stations because of its four stops on Armentieres Square. In recent times, the stops on Armentieres Square have increased in their importance.

Have Your Say on Bus Franchising in Greater Manchester

Bus franchising consultation to begin in October

Next month, the people of Greater Manchester will be involved in a far-reaching consultation to transform the city region’s bus routes.

The Three Ages of Greater Manchester’s Bus Stations

A look at the evolution of Greater Manchester’s bus stations from 1969 onwards

In the last fifty years, Greater Manchester’s bus stations have changed dramatically. More recent trends favour single terminals and improved connections with other modes of transport. In smaller towns, they form part of a focal piazza, as seen at Radcliffe’s bus station.

Bus Stations from Hell: The Return

East of the M60’s reassessment of the Bus Stations from Hell of 2006

2006’s Bus Station From Hell: the former Nelson bus station, photographed by Robert Wade in 2010. (Creative Commons License – Some Rights Reserved-Non Commercial).

Apart from the obligatory “Hello, Good Evening, and Welcome to our New Blog” type of post, Bus Stations from Hell was the first proper post on East of the M60. Just to recap, here’s the Not So Magnificent Seven from the 16 August 2006.

Duffers’ Guide to Bus Operations #12: Eating on the Bus

The pitfalls of dining Al Volvo, plus ten useful tips

The Bete Noire and Godsend of all bus drivers and passengers: You cannot fault the odd Greggs Steak Bake now and then, but you wouldn’t like to share a bus with a leftover sausage roll. This is their Stirling branch, photographed by Paul Robertson in 2008. The bus in the reflection is a Northern Counties Palatine II bodied Volvo Olympian. (Creative Commons License: Attribution Some Rights Reserved-No Derivatives).

Eating and drinking on the bus is a thing that many of us do out of necessity. This is usually due to time constraints (being unable to stop off at a pub or café en route) or financial reasons (being unable to afford a pub or café) as well as hunger. Most of the time, eating on the bus might entail anything from the odd chocolate bar to a packed lunch.

Duffers’ Guide to Bus Operations #11: Queueing for Buses

Much to do with the way we queue for the 192 (well, other buses are also available).

A queue for the 192, though not the one we are more familiar with in Greater Manchester. Here’s Transport for London’s version of the 192 service, seen loading at Tottenham Hale bus station bound for Enfield. Image by Aubrey Morandarte, 2014 (Creative Commons License – Some Rights Reserved)

Queueing, it’s a very British phenomenon. It is something which, supposedly, sets Britons apart from their overseas peers. It is something certain generations did a lot of in the Second World War for buses, rations and trips to the local cinema.

Two Pints of Jaipur and a 346, Please…: The Top Beer Not So Perfect Ten

Ten pubs near to bus stations and bus stops

A pint before the last bus: what is there not to like? All the better if our desired public house is a short stagger from our bus stop or favoured bus stand.

The history of public houses dovetails with the development of modern day bus operations. Stagecoaches used to call at coaching inns and roadside pubs. On a long journey, for example Manchester to London each coaching inn would constitute a stage where passengers stayed overnight prior to embarking on their next leg. In later years, some of the coaching inns would remain stops on modern-day bus routes. For example, the Old General on the corner of Crescent Road and Astley Street with the 346.

Any Bus, Anywhere, in Greater Manchester: Introducing TfGM’s Route Explorer

A look at Transport for Greater Manchester’s exciting new travel planning tool

Never miss a bus again: TfGM’s Route Explorer enables you to find bus stops and routes nearest to your locality. It details all bus services throughout the Greater Manchester area and offers links to its timetable library.

The lack of a decent travel planner has probably been a bone of contention for Greater Manchester’s bus users. With Google Maps and First Greater Manchester’s mobile app telling you when the next 343’s due, as well as directions on foot, it seemed as if TfGM and its contemporaries would fall behind.

Duffers’ Guide to Bus Operations #4: An A to Z of Bus Based Terms

The fourth part of a concise guide to bus operations from a passenger point of view, aimed at bus noobs more than anything

The stylish interior of C920 FMP, a recently restored Leyland Lynx.

Cheap, cheerful, and just the thing for reading on a 192 with the free WiFi, is our fourth Duffers’ Guide to Bus Operations…

Duffers’ Guide to Bus Operations #3: Bus Stations

The third part of a concise guide to bus operations from a passenger point of view, aimed at bus noobs more than anything

Oldham Bus Station, an example of a multi-platform bus station.

For our third part, it makes sense to progress from bus stops to bus stations. Without at least one, or even two of them in our major town centres, our streets would be more chaotic.