Manchester Buses

Fun with maps

We like:
a) Maps
b) The idea of an expanded Metrolink network

So thanks to the MEN's David Ottewell for drawing our attention to this fantastic vision of what the Metrolink network could look like by 2030.  Click on the map for a better look.  The map includes made-up lines, including one from the Airport to Manchester city centre via Wilmslow Road/Oxford Road as well as all the proposed 'big bang' lines.

Of course, the chances of this all happening in the next 22 years are slim-to-none, but we can dream!

Metroshuttle - grinding the city to a halt?

The folks over at B3ta.com are best known for doing things like Photoshopping movie posters to look like they're advertising cat food, but one of the keen-eyed people on their forum has brought up a good point about the Manchester Metroshuttle posters.  Take a look at the photo below and you'll notice there's no way those cog wheels could actually turn!

Either the art department at GMPTE have a limited knowledge of engineering or they're making a veiled reference to city centre traffic levels at 5pm.  Have a look here for the full B3ta forum thread.

Thanks to James for telling us about this.

Service 400 - a history

If you lived in the north, west or south parts of Greater Manchester any time between 1970 and 2004, chances are you'd have seen service 400 in action.  This bus service ran between Bolton and Stockport via Bury, Rochdale, Oldham and Tameside.  While the 22 service, which runs between Stockport and Bolton 'the other way' (via south Manchester, Trafford and Salford) remains, the 400 was withdrawn four years ago.

Why was this?  Well, we recommend you read Stuart Vallantine's in-depth article which details the 400's demise and suggests reasons why it should be reinstated.  Click here to head over to the article on his site.

Hell hath no fury like a woman scorned by public transport

I was skimming through my blog stats this afternoon when I came across an interesting looking Blogspot URL.  Following it took me to Manchester Transport Sucks, a one-woman tirade against the daily commute in Greater Manchester.  It only started today and already there's five posts which certainly says something about how frustrating traveling can be here!