Manchester Buses

Metroshuttle getting busier - Use up 14% this year

If, like us, you frequently use the free Manchester Metroshuttle services you'll have noticed how much busier they seem to be these days. It's not just your imagination - use of the three city centre circulars has increased by 14% in the past year.

The 1 and 2 services saw reasonable growth at 12% but service 3 is the real star in new figures published by GMITA - it's up an astounding 22% on last year.

The increases come despite delays suffered due to water pipe renewal works and the Metrolink track replacement programme.

As the graph below shows, the recently launched Bolton and Stockport Metroshuttles are also growing nicely. Recent dips on the 1 and 3 are likely to be nothing more than a summer lull - the overall trend is up.

If you thought the recession might see these free buses being cut - that seems highly unlikely looking at these numbers. The Metroshuttles have become a key part of the city's infrastructure - long may they continue. The full GMITA report can be downloaded here.

 

The 370 to Sale - still a possibility?

So, first GMPTE planned to reroute the 370 (Stockport - Altrincham) to Sale as part of a programme to improve the region's orbital links. Then the move was cancelled. What's going on? We've just heard this from GMPTE:

"We have deferred the implementation of the 370 service subject to a review and will be reporting to members of Greater Manchester Integrated Transport Authority on the matter shortly."

So, there's life in the idea yet. We'll keep you updated.

Rochdale's new Interchange revealed (Updated)

Here's a first look at plans for Rochdale's new transport Interchange. The new facility will be on Smith Street, next to the River Roch and is lightyears ahead of the current concrete monstrosity.

While originally intended to serve Metrolink trams as well as buses, the interchange became bus only when funds to extend the currently in-development Rochdale and Oldham line beyond Rochdale rail station could not be found.

No word on when the new Interchange will be built but the plans include a shop, a Travelshop, toilets, bus operator and supervisor facilities, as well as electronic passenger information displays.

Look wise, it's no major departure from recent GMPTE bus station designs, such as Shudehill Interchange, Middleton and Hyde. Still, we're sure the people of Rochdale will appreciate not having to enter a concrete hell-hole in order to catch a bus, as they do right now.

UPDATE: We've just heard this from GMPTE:

Subject to planning permission being granted early next year, work should start on site in autumn next year and construction should take around 15 months (so it should open early 2012).

 

The interchange will be next to the proposed town centre Metrolink stop (for which outline planning permission has been granted). Funding for the Metrolink line to Rochdale town centre has been earmarked via the Greater Manchester Transport Fund, a £1.5bn 10-year investment programme agreed by the Association of Greater Manchester Authorities in May this year. The fund covers 15 major transport schemes and a delivery programme, which will outline when work could start on each scheme, is being finalised.

 

Stagecoach unveils X50 route branding

Look what just dropped into our mailbox - a picture of what Stagecoach's new X50, due to start on Sunday, will look like.

The express service running between Piccadilly and the Trafford Centre should be a hit with passengers unhappy with the amount of time Stagecoach's 250 service takes to complete its journey. City centre links ot the Trafford Centre have improved significantly recently. With improvements to First's 100, the launch of the 110, extra journeys on the 250 and now the X50, there won't be much waiting around to start your gift shopping this Christmas.

Catching the 370 to Sale? Not so fast!

On Saturday we reported about a forthcoming change to service 370 (Stockport - Altrincham) that would see the service rerouted to Sale. It appears now that the change, due to be introduced at the end of the month, may not happen at all.

As some of our readers have noticed, Stagecoach Manchester's service changes site now states: "This service will continue to run along its existing route to a new timetable. Further details will be published when received from GMPTE."

The change in route to the 370 was intended to improve links with Sale as part of a GMPTE programme to improve orbital bus services in the region. So, why has GMPTE called off the change? It would certainly remove a direct link to Altrincham from Heaton Mersey and Didsbury and would mean a poorer link from Northenden.

We've asked GMPTE for an explanation and we'll let you know as soon as we get it.

What Stagecoach is telling its overweight employees

An article in the Manchester Evening News last week reported that Stagecoach Manchester drivers have been given a 23 stone weight limit for health and safety reasons.

From the article:

"(Stagecoach) says it would be extremely rare for any of the drivers in its fleet to exceed the limits.

But the ruling has been described as blatant discrimination by one driver, who claims he was ordered to 'go to Tesco' and get weighed.

The driver, who has asked not to be named, claims he was also told he could not get behind the wheel until he had shed some pounds. He said the letter advised drivers who are 20 stone to see their doctor and those over 23 stone not to drive the buses.

He said: "I've been a driver for years. It's so embarrassing to be called into the office and to be told to go to the local supermarket to get weighed. Then to be told I am too fat to drive a bus is ridiculous. They are just discriminating against people who are overweight."

We've managed to get hold of a scan of Stagecoach's letter which reveals that the driver seats on Optare Solos and Optare Versas is 20 stone, while Alexander Dennis vehicles have a 23 stone limit.

As you'll see, Stagecoach is actually dealing with the issue quite sensitively, offer drivers to be allocated vehicles they are safe to drive while the get in shape. That said, if drivers feel they are being treated badly there could be a problem with some of the company's line managers' approach to the issue.

Orbital routes take shape while First cuts frequencies (UPDATED)

GMITA's Bus Network and GMPTE Services committee had their first meeting since August yesterday and as usual, details of a number of forthcoming bus service changes came to light.

Intriguingly, Part B of the meeting discussed the introduction of orbital bus routes, something that was part of the failed TIF bid earlier this year. While no details of what was discussed have been published, here' what we do know:

• Rochdale and Oldham will get an improved link to North Manchester General Hospital thanks to new First Manchester service 56, running from Rochdale to NMGH via Milnrow, Shaw and Oldham every 30 minutes.
• Service 58 (Rochdale - Oldham - Middleton) is extended from Middleton to Bury via Heywood.
• Stockport will get a direct bus link with Sale thanks to the re-routing of services 370 and 371. From Baguley these services will now run via Brooklands and Sale Moor to Sale. This means poorer connections to Timperley and Altrincham.

Both these changes take place from 26th October.

Elsewhere, First is cutting frequencies. Services 98 (Manchester - Bury) and 123/124 (Manchester - Langley) both go from every 10 minutes to every 15. Additionally, the 123/124 is rerouted between Collyhurst and Manchester to run via Queens Road and Cheetham Hill in order to serve Manchester Fort Shopping Centre. While improving links to Manchester Fort, this means a longer route for those traveling to and from Langley. Service 32 (Wigan - Manchester) is being cut to hourly during off-peak periods with a number of peak-period journeys also axed.

The one service First is boosting is the 17 - that wouldn't be anything to do with JPT's recently introduced competitive journeys, would it?

Among Arriva's changes, the 245 (Flixton - Altrincham) is extended to Manchester Airport via Hale and is renumbered 18A.

In the run up to Christmas, Stagecoach Manchester is improving service 250 (Manchester - Trafford Centre) with extra journeys and introducing an additional limited stop X50 service for shoppers wanting a quick link to and from the retail complex. No word on a timetable for this other than it's daily. Look out for all these changes beginning on the 25th and 26th of September.

There' a whole lot more to pick over in the the Committee notes, and on GMPTE's Service Changes page. We just want to know what other orbital services we're likely to see!

[Image credit: Gene Hunt on Flickr]

UPDATE: Thanks to the commenters and emailers who have pointed out that its only the 370 being rerouted to Sale, not the 371. Also, Stagecoach's timetable for the new X50 is on their website here (PDF link).

Cross-city bus route plans revealed

As GMITA tries to introduce as many of the schemes included in the failed TIF bid as possible without the funding boost congestion charging would have supplied, we've already seen a solid package of improvements announced.

One of these plans was for some of the cross-city bus routes detailed in the TIF bid to be implemented. Finally today we get to see exactly what's being suggested.

While GMITA can't force operators to run services that run through Manchester city centre and out to other parts of the city, it can make it easier for these services to exist. The current layout of the city centre discourages cross-city routes thanks to its complicated one-way systems.

So, what has GMITA come up with? A package of improvements to the following corridors:

    •    Boothstown to Manchester via the A580 East Lancashire Road and A6 Broad Street/Crescent/Chapel Street;
    •    Middleton Bus Station to Manchester via the A664 Manchester New Road and Rochdale Road; and,
    •    East Didsbury to Manchester via Wilmslow Road and Oxford Road/Street.

The TIF bid included bus routes between Chorlton and Middleton, East Didsbury/Withington and Salford Crescent and Wigan/Leigh and Manchester Central Hospitals. All these routes will be easier for operators to introduce if they choose if the plans go ahead.

Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chair of GMITA, said: “These are radical proposals that will provide a significant change in the way bus services operate through the Regional Centre.

“They will play a crucial role in improving the journey times and reliability of bus services for parts of Salford, Middleton, North Manchester and South Manchester that will, in turn, offer new and improved links to jobs, education, healthcare and leisure pursuits.

“By laying the foundations to encourage through-services to run we aim to make bus travel a more attractive, reasonable alternative to the car for these journeys.”

Here are maps of the planed improvements to bus lanes, bus gating and junction improvements, as well as pedestrian and cycle measures. Some sections of city centre roads will be made bus only. This includes parts of Lever Street and Princess Street receiving bus-only contraflow sections.

A public consultation on the schemes begins today. If approved, work will begin next year with planned completion in 2013. GMITA wants to hear your thoughts at www.gmpte.com/haveyoursay or by calling 0800 917 8808 (Mon-Fri, 9am to 5pm).

Click on each map for a closer look.

Stagecoach Manchester up for UK Bus Award

The UK Bus Awards nominees were announced today and Greater Manchester's operators are virtually nowhere to be found. The one local name representing the region is Stagecoach Manchester.

Stagecoach Manchester is up for City Operator of the Year and faces stiff competition from First Glasgow, Nottingham City Transport and Stagecoach North East. Elsewhere, nearly-local operator Transdev Burnley & Pendle (who run into Manchester city centre with the X43/X44 services) is in the running for Shire Operator of the Year.

Over on the 'People' shortlist, Stagecoach Manchester Engineering Manager Mike Brinicombe is nominated for Engineer of the Year. Meanwhile, Arriva North West's EcoManager, helping to control costs and reduce environmental impact, is up for the Innovation Award.

We wish all local nominees the best of luck. The winners will be announced on 12th November.

[Thanks, JimmyMac]

Stockport town centre shuttle gets Metroshuttle branding

Stockport's town centre shuttle bus has just been rebranded as a Metroshuttle service, the same as its Manchester and Bolton equivalents. It's got a snazzy new livery too.

As you'd expect, Councillor Keith Whitmore, Chair of GMITA was on hand for the launch (isn't he always?). “We’ve been working with the council to develop this fresh new look and I’m very pleased with the result. I hope it encourages even more people to give the Metroshuttle buses a go" he said.

Whitmore promised to bring Metroshuttle to more of the region's town centres if possible, which is great news - bring them on!