Relief as Over Sixty Important Bus Routes are Spared Service Cuts

Funding found for socially necessary Greater Manchester bus routes

With the perfect storm of skyrocketing energy prices and swingeing bus service cuts, Greater Manchester’s bus users could have been in for a much bleaker winter. The loss of Department of Transport funding on the 4th October from COVID Recovery grants would have seen cuts to 33 bus routes and the loss of 31 bus routes.

Down To The Park: Walkden Gardens, Sale

The start of a new series that looks at Greater Manchester’s parks and gardens

At this moment in time, this pandemic is (hopefully) coming to an end. We are still encouraged to practice social distancing and try not to use public transport for non-essential travel. The message of “Hands, Faces, Space, and Fresh Air” and the lighter nights make trips to the park most favourable.

AI’s ‘Aye’ For The 111: Introducing Optibus

Stagecoach Group invests in AI based bus route planning tool

• Investment will help plan the changes in travel coming out of the Covid-19 pandemic;
• New AI platform Optibus will help improve service delivery and provide more efficient timetables;
• State-of-the-art artificial intelligence, advanced algorithms and cloud computing used to make timetables smarter;
• Major technological transformation will enable quicker roll-out of electric buses.

Low Bridge Strikes Scuppered by Bridge Alert System

Stagecoach Group becomes first UK bus operator to invest in national roll-out of new bridge alert technology

• £4m project to strengthen existing safety measures to prevent bridge strikes;
• Enhancement to GreenRoad’s leading driver safety and fuel-efficiency system;
• 8,000 buses covered in England, Scotland and Wales by summer 2021.

New Year and New Man for Stagecoach Greater Manchester

Lee Wasnidge to succeed Elisabeth Tasker in 2021

Lee Wasnidge.

• Lee Wasnidge joins Stagecoach’s largest bus company on 04 January 2020;
• Successor to Elisabeth Tasker has Background in running rail and air services in Greater Manchester at senior level;
• New MD has extensive customer service and stakeholder management experience, whilst recognising Stagecoach’s major role in supporting the North West’s economy.

Official! Santa Swaps Sleigh For Bus

Stagecoach Greater Manchester drivers spread a bit of Christmas cheer to raise funds for local communities

Given how strange 2020 has been, Father Christmas trading in his sleigh for a double decker bus now seems run-of-the-mill. Who could blame him as he could use the top deck for storing presents? Unless he uses an open top bus, the presents wouldn’t be soggy. As for automatic transmission, cab heating, kneeling floors and buggy bays, a development that is long overdue. Sadly at the expense of Rudolph and his fellow furloughed reindeer friends.

Exact Fare Policy Raises More Than £122k for NHS Charities Together

Stagecoach passengers thanked for supporting major donation to the NHS Charities Together Covid-19 Appeal

• Over £122,000 raised by Stagecoach passengers for NHS charity with £19,271.72 raised by Stagecoach Greater Manchester passengers;
• Passengers thanked for their support in the exact fare scheme, though passengers still encouraged to use contactless payment wherever possible.

The Stagecoach Group has thanked its customers across the UK for helping to raise more than £122,000 for the NHS Charities Together COVID-19 Appeal. As part of this total amount, Stagecoach Greater Manchester’s contribution was £19,271.72.

Gimme (Flexi) 5! Stagecoach Greater Manchester Introduces Flexible Season Ticket

New flexible season ticket offers five days unlimited travel on Stagecoach Greater Manchester buses for the price of four days travel

Over the lockdown period, working from home has become the norm for white collar workers. Some of which have previously paid for seven-day, 14-day, monthly and annual season tickets for local buses, trams and trains. For some people, spending two days in the office and three days working from home has taken over from doing five daily commutes. Owing to this trend, the days of ‘traditional’ season tickets are numbered.

Stagecoach Manchester MD to Retire After 20 Years in Bus Industry

Elisabeth Tasker’s retirement leaves vacancy in top role

The Stagecoach Group has announced that Elisabeth Tasker, Managing Director of its Manchester bus operation is to retire after 20 years’ service in the bus industry. 

‘Busy Bus’ App to Help With Journey Planning

Stagecoach Greater Manchester introduces new app to ensure safe social distancing

• Data and artificial intelligence to help with social distancing;
• Traffic light indicator enables passengers to consider alternative, quieter routes.

The Stagecoach Group is launching a new smartphone “Busy Bus” indicator app. This will help customers plan their journeys as service frequencies increase across the country.