Following on from previous one-day strikes since the 13 March, the RMT union have announced details of more industrial action next month. Whereas previous strikes have fallen on Mondays and Fridays, the latest dispute will cover three days in July.
Continue reading “Northern Rail Strike: Three Days of Industrial Action Next Month”
If you travel by train in the peak hours, there are two inevitabilities. One is the fact you’ll need a mortgage for the rail fare or the season ticket. The other, are the chances of getting a seat. Which is pretty rare at ten to six on the 1757 to Huddersfield. Continue reading “Train Seats in All Parts: The Not So Perfect Ten”
In the last week, we have learned about the Paris Agreement which Donald Trump has refused to sign, on behalf of 200 million Americans. Closer to home, Stagecoach have called for tougher action in Greater Manchester, as part of the Green Week campaign. They have called for urgent action from local and central government. Continue reading “Stagecoach Manchester’s Air Quality Call”
With the General Election just over a week away, Moovit are playing their part in boosting turnout. Thanks to a partnership with Democracy Club, Moovit is helping to do just that on the 08 June, by adding polling station locations to its app.
Continue reading “Moovit’s Election Pledge: To Get You To The Polling Station in Good Time”
In the last week, you will have heard about the appalling terrorist attack at Manchester Arena, after Ariana Grande’s concert. As well the loss of 22 lives and severe injuries to 59 concertgoers, this led to the temporary closure of Manchester Victoria station. Tram and train services were affected. At face value, this could have stopped the city going about her day-to-day activities. Continue reading “Manchester Victoria Station to Reopen”
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.
Continue reading “The Three Ages of Greater Manchester’s Bus Stations”
Some of the best laid plans are never planned at all. Some of them are made on the hoof, or they just fall into place. Serendipity and spontaneity can make for the greatest of journeys as we lose ourselves in another town, village, open space, or on a bus you never thought of catching.
My first circumnavigation of 2017 was a classic example. I left Chez Vall thinking “my first work day of 2017”. So I caught the 220 to Stalybridge bus station for the 0746 train to Salford Central. Continue reading “An Accidental Circumnavigation: South Lancashire by Bus, 03 January 2017”
Where were you on the 06 April 1992? For me, it was a bog standard Monday. I was in Second Year – officially Year Eight – at All Saints R.C. High School. With hindsight, I should have bunked off school and caught a 220 bus to Victoria station. On that very date, the first part of Greater Manchester’s Metrolink system opened, from Bury to Manchester Victoria station. The groundwork was set for a light rail system which took the city by storm.
Continue reading “Metrolink’s Silver Jubilee: 25 Things About Our Light Rail System”
Greater Manchester has 97 railway stations. Many of them are unstaffed with some lacking any disabled access at all. Most of the City Region’s stations are managed by its principal rail franchisee, Arriva Rail North’s Northern franchise. Stockport is managed by Virgin West Coast; Manchester Piccadilly and Manchester Victoria, by Major Stations. Stalybridge station is managed by First Transpennine Express. Continue reading “Calling All GM Stations: A Look at TfGM’s Action Stations Plan”
