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.

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.

‘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.

Back By Unpopular Demand: Northern’s Pacer Units

Nodding 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.

Stagecoach Greater Manchester Begins Near Restoration of Weekday and Saturday Timetables

Timetables to run at 70% of pre-COVID-19 levels next month – then to 80% of pre-COVID-19 levels by mid June

Across England, the Stagecoach Group has today confirmed it will be increasing bus service levels from the 01 June. Its aim is to get the country moving as lockdown restrictions start to ease.

Emergency bus timetables have been in place since March to help key workers travel to and from work and for other essential journeys. This has seen services running to Sunday frequencies with peak hour journeys. In some cases, at a lower level than the usual Sunday service offerings.

Lockdown Tram Changes: Improved Frequencies But Early Finish Remains

Metrolink trams with social distancing measures in place to run every 12 minutes

From the 26 May (a date that many Manchester United fans will have fond memories of), Metrolink trams will see improved frequencies. Since the imposition of lockdown measures due to the COVID-19 pandemic, frequencies were cut to every 20 minutes due to lack of funding. For evening journeys, this also meant an early finish.

Stagecoach to Introduce Exact Fares Only Policy

No change given policy for cash fares on Stagecoach Greater Manchester buses from 04 May

Stagecoach Greater Manchester has today updated its guidance to customers on fare payment methods on its services while the current special bus network arrangements are in place. In addition to asking customers to use contactless, mobile or pre-payment methods, an exact fare system will be in place for passengers who can only pay by cash.