In Pictures: The Last Days of Mercedes Citaro Operation in Tameside and Oldham

A fond farewell to First Greater Manchester’s longest serving single decker buses

Today [31 March 2018] marked the end of an era in First Greater Manchester’s 22-year history of bus operation. Their Mercedes Citaro single decker buses have been retired from revenue earning service. A popular sight in mainland Europe, the Mercedes Citaro bus has had a mixed reaction on these shores. They are seen as the bus equivalent of the ‘Burning Bush’ valve radio due to their combustibility.

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Could You Spend a Week in Oldham?

Does Oldham and surrounding area have enough attractions for a week’s holiday?

This week, Northwest Tonight and its predecessor Look North West have celebrated its fiftieth birthday. Via social media channels, the BBC Archive has scoured the library for weird and wonderful regional clips.

The Ray Mill Fire: How Stagecoach Manchester Drivers Kept Manchester Moving

How 63 drivers responded to the Ray Mill fire in Stalybridge

Business as usual: thanks to 63 quick-thinking drivers, emergency plans to keep Tameside and East Manchester moving saw minimal disruption to Stagecoach Manchester services.

Last Saturday night/Sunday morning, a huge fire engulfed Ray Mill on Tame Street, Stalybridge. Built in 1907 it was seen for miles around from many a passing train, numerous 343 buses, and local hills. Like its long demolished sister mill, Victor Mill, it was one of Courtauld’s Stalybridge cotton mills.

Before Saturday night, Ray Mill was home to a number of small businesses. There was also an highly acclaimed dance studio. It was also one of the last mills in Stalybridge to cease cotton spinning. Previous occupants had included the double glazing company Warmshield.

Calling All Wannabe Engineers: Stagecoach Manchester Wants Apprentices

Stagecoach uses National Apprenticeship Week to launch apprenticeships for 2018 intake

Meet Lucy Clarke: Lucy is a Second Year Apprentice with Stagecoach Manchester. She prefers ‘on-the-job’ training to classroom based learning. In future years, Ms. Clarke could follow in the footsteps of Elisabeth Tasker, Stagecoach Manchester’s present Managing Director.

For 2018’s National Apprenticeship Week (5th – 9th March), Stagecoach Manchester is calling for budding engineers to apply for a place on this year’s apprenticeship scheme. The company is offering places on its Engineering Apprenticeship programme at each of its six Manchester depots in Middleton, Ashton, Hyde Road, Stockport, Sharston and Wigan.

The course begins in September each year and applications are now being accepted up until the 30 March 2018.

Northern and Merseyrail Electrics Rail Strike Update: 03 March 2018

News of the latest Arriva Rail North and Merseyrail Electrics strike this Saturday

Once again, Arriva Rail North and Merseyrail Electrics staff will be taking industrial action. This shall take place on the 03 March 2018.

Adaptable Carriages: 42 Technology’s Answer For Provincial Routes

Could adaptable carriages with retractable seats be a bold move?

In spite of its expense and plethora of fare options, Britain’s railways are carrying more passengers than ever. For many people it is their only way to work. Some view buses as a slow option and drive to the nearest railway station. Anyone travelling in the peaks would be overly familiar with overcrowded trains.

Moovit’s $50 Million Expansion Plans

New deal permits expansion of smartphone app

As well as the Lees Circular, future versions of Moovit will cover driverless transport. By 2021, ‘The Wikipedia of Transit’ aims to have more than a billion global users.

It has been a long time since we’ve heard from our friends at Moovit. This week they have announced a new deal that will cover the future expansion of their app.

One Thousand Years On The Buses

Stagecoach Manchester staff recognised for a thousand years combined service in the bus industry

Thirty-five members of staff at Stagecoach Manchester were recognised for their dedication at the 2017 Long Service Awards. Each of them, having worked for Stagecoach and its predecessors for 20 years or more, have clocked up a total of 1,033 years of service. Back in 986, Dino would have had to pay full fare. Fred and Wilma, back in the day, were so frustrated with the LIII to Belle Vue that they bought their own set of wheels.

What’s Eating Into Greater Manchester’s Bus Network?

Why has Greater Manchester’s bus patronage fallen by 15 million since 2014? East of the M60 wonders why we’re all missing the bus

“The Free Market Experiment” – officially known as The Transport Act 1985 – stated that competition would benefit all bus passengers. This was based on the precedent set by The Transport Act 1980. By the end of that year, the state-owned National Bus Company would see competition from private coach operators. The launch of British Coachways, a private sector consortium, would introduce more choice and competition for passengers. Within two years, National Express saw off the British Coachways consortium with its fares and integrated network.