System exacerbated fragmented nature of National Rail network Rail Franchising, a part of British railway policy since 1994, was laid to rest at the age of twenty-six. Its original aim was to raise standards across the rail network and improve on services launched by the outgoing British Railways Board. Today, it was announced by Transport […]
Read More Rail Franchising, 1994 – 2020: An Honest ObituaryPeople power helps to save important rail service that links Hyde with Marple From the 14 September, rail passengers in Hyde, Woodley and Marple would have been left high and dry by temporary changes to their rail service. In just over a week’s time, there would have been no trains from Rose Hill Marple apart […]
Read More Rose Hill Marple Rail Services Saved From Temporary AxeIn this extra helping of The Ashton Review of Shops, we look at how WHSmith’s turmoil and wonder if there’s a way out It is fair to say that at any point in our lives, we Britons have had some link with W.H. Smith and Sons in more ways than one. Indirectly, we have had […]
Read More WHSmith in Turmoil: The Ashton Review of Shops ExtraAt last, we have the answers to East of the M60’s bus and train livery quiz If you have been taking part in our bus and train livery, we now have the answers to Guess the Bus and Train Livery Blocks. In true tradition, the answers have arrived a week late.
Read More Answers to Escape to the Pantry’s Guess the Bus and Train Livery BlocksEast of the M60 asks, “Is Town not big enough for both of them?” Manchester’s credentials as a musical centre of the universe is unimpeachable, though it is a claim that could be disputed by our friends in Liverpool. For many listeners, Liverpool is associated with The Beatles, the muse for Burnage’s finest musical export. […]
Read More Is Manchester Ready for Two Indoor Arenas?Outrage as staffing issues sees cessation of train services at Tameside railway station Prior to seeing its franchise being taken over by the Department for Transport’s Operator of Last Resort, Arriva’s Northern operation was noted for its staffing issues. Tameside’s rail passengers were at the sharpest end of Arriva’s staffing issues, as Stalybridge to Manchester […]
Read More “The Next Train Will Not Be Calling At Un-Fairfield Station…”Clipper ticket resurrects spirit of the Clippercard on Metrolink trams The Clippercard is dead… long live the Clippercard! Well, that’s how we may have reported on the self-cancelling ticket’s demise if East of the M60 was around in 2004. Years after the original ticket’s demise, Greater Manchester Transport’s ten-trips-for-the-price-of-nine tickets still carry fond memories. You […]
Read More The Clippercard Makes a Comeback!Were you as clued up on your bus, train, tram or tube moquette as everybody else at East of the M60 Towers? Fret not, here’s the answers One or two of you might have been racking your brains over our moquette quiz during the lockdown. After several weeks, we have either put you out of […]
Read More Guess The Moquette: The AnswersFace coverings compulsory from the 15 June in England If you haven’t already ordered a face mask or face covering like the genius behind East of the M60, now is the time to buy one. Especially so if you make your daily commute on public transport. In today’s COVID-19 statement from the Houses of Parliament, […]
Read More Face Masks to be Made Compulsory on Public TransportNodding Donkeys ‘home’ till Christmas Today, East of the M60 has learned that a small number of the universally derided Class 142 Pacer units will be making a comeback on Northern rail services. Thirteen of the units will be reinstated to provide extra capacity, and to ensure that social distancing practices will be maintained.
Read More Back By Unpopular Demand: Northern’s Pacer Units
