Oldham and Saddleworth Bus Service Changes, 25 July 2021

Summertime service changes for Oldham and Saddleworth bus passengers

Within a week of HM Government’s Freedom Day®, it will be business as usual for Oldham and Saddleworth bus users. As with our fellows in Tameside and Glossop, there will be usual summer times on Stagecoach’s routes, and the discontinuation of peak hour duplicates.

Tameside and Glossop Bus Service Changes, 25 July 2021

Summer times, and the changes are minimal (and somewhat predictable)

• Summer times on Stagecoach Manchester;
• Diggle link ditched from 356 route;
• Peak hour duplicates nixed after scrapping of social distancing requirement on buses.

Within a week of HM Government’s Freedom Day®, some degree of normality is restored on our bus routes. Firstly, with it being summertime (and the schools breaking up for the five-week or six-week holidays), we shall be seeing the faster summer times on many of Stagecoach’s routes. Secondly, with the requirements for social distancing scrapped, our peak hour duplicates on trunk routes have gone the same way.

Volvo B10M Becomes Mobile COVID-19 Vaccination Unit

Former Stagecoach Manchester vehicle transformed into mobile vaccination centre

An out of service Stagecoach Manchester bus has been given a new lease of life as an NHS Covid-19 vaccination centre, serving the Greater Manchester and Yorkshire areas. 

Oldham Bus Station Changes, 25 July 2021

Last Sunday in July sees stand changes for bulk of Oldham’s bus services

Almost a week after the abolition of COVID restrictions and social distancing measures, there will be further changes for Oldham’s bus passengers besides the usual service changes. From the 25th July 2021, a significant number of bus routes will see a change of stand position at Oldham Bus Station.

Manchester’s New Vaccination Shuttle Buses Launched

Stagecoach Manchester now running two shuttle buses from Gorton and Longsight to Belle Vue Leisure Centre

Whether you think the pandemic is coming to an end or in the midst of a third wave, there are still plans to relax the government’s social distancing restrictions on the 19 July. In Greater Manchester, it is fair to say we are in the third wave, with most of the cases affecting schoolchildren and late-teens. Like last year, it is fair to say that the government’s latest easements could be too soon for the people in Lancashire and Greater Manchester.

Introducing Stagecoach Manchester’s Bus Driver Apprenticeship Scheme

Leading bus operator launches this year’s apprenticeship programme

Besides patronage, one of the biggest post-pandemic issues for bus operators is staffing levels. Drivers and engineering staff have been affected by absences due to self-isolation and furloughing over the last fifteen months. For regular and not-so-regular bus passengers, getting the staffing levels right is a must, as any lapses in quality could result in passengers taking to their cars.

Clean Air Day Call for Modal Switch

Stagecoach Group uses Clean Air Day to push for modal switch from car to public transport

For public transport, the COVID-19 pandemic has been unkind to say the least. Despite Transdev’s ‘Clean and Ready to Go’ and ‘Back To Bus’ campaigns, public transport patronage is still way below pre-pandemic levels. If you remember the four scenarios in Transport for Greater Manchester’s second Bus Franchising System consultation, we seem to be heading towards the car-based growth scenario.

Cars on Trains: The Wonders of Motorail

How we let the train take the strain – by carrying us and our cars at the same time

If we put our minds to it, we can let the train take the strain even more. Not only passengers from A to B, also our worldly goods like parcels, raw materials and fuel oil. For carrying heavy loads at once, nothing beats the goods train’s ability at taking more cars off the roads.

Three Drivers Praised For Heroic Actions

Trio of Stagecoach Greater Manchester drivers save woman from distress

Stagecoach Greater Manchester drivers; Darren Shaw, John Livsey, and Paul Kitchen have been jointly recognised as the company’s Star of the Month, after saving a woman in distress on a motorway bridge.

TfGM’s Paperless Bus Timetable Trials

Better Bus Rides on Paperless Bus Guides in Oldham and Stockport

The days of the dead tree bus timetable could be numbered in years to come as smartphones and tablets become the norm for today’s passengers. Instead of rows and rows of bus timetables, passengers could scan a QR code for their desired service.