Tag Archives: firstgroup

Stagecoach to acquire First routes in Wigan

Posted on October 31, 2012 by James McCollom

Wigan has always been out on a limb from the rest of Greater Manchester county: indeed, its municipal bus service was never part of SELNEC PTE and only joined as part of GMPTE in 1974. After deregulation and sundering, the … Continue reading →

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West coast rail bid hits legal buffers

Posted on October 3, 2012 by James McCollom

In a surprise move, the Government last night pulled the plug on the competition to run the West Coast Main Line franchise from December 2012. As you no doubt read elsewhere, the winning bidders were FirstGroup, who offered to pay … Continue reading →

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FirstBus aims to recover following £285k fine

Posted on March 13, 2012 by James McCollom

The MEN reports that First Manchester has been fined £285,000 following on from their recent grilling by the Traffic Commissioner over late running services. Beverley Bell (the first female Traffic Commissioner) is reported as saying that she wants to send … Continue reading →

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First Manchester in trouble for poor punctuality

Posted on February 8, 2012 by James McCollom

FirstGroup has been up before the Traffic Commissioner for a failure to improve reliablity of their bus services over the past twelve months. Four VOSA inspectors recorded between 17 and 26% of buses failing to meet punctuality targets in parts … Continue reading →

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A new bus for Manchester?

Posted on February 6, 2012 by James McCollom

Move over, Borismaster: it seems there’s a new Mancunian design if this bus clip-art from a FirstBus onboard poster is anything to go by. Full-length windows on the top deck will make it light and airy, though you may not … Continue reading →

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Withdrawals and competition in the north of the county

Posted on January 30, 2012 by James McCollom

It’s been a busy month for me with not much time for blogging: so apologies for not returning to this subject earlier. As promised however, here are the highlights from other bus service changes coming into effect this week, 29th … Continue reading →

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Arriva regroups as First makes further tender gains

Posted on January 16, 2012 by James McCollom

The first timetable changes of 2012 come into play over the last weekend of January (28/29th) and there are TfGM contracts changing hands. Over in Salford there’s a revised network to take into account; Arriva are losing out, whilst First … Continue reading →

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Happy New Year (Fares Are Rising)

Posted on January 2, 2012 by James McCollom

The annual rail fare revisions (read: increases) come into effect today, Tuesday 2nd January 2011, and naturally they’ve had a high profile in the national media. The Association of Train Operating Companies claims the average fare rise will be 5.9%, … Continue reading →

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First’s first hybrids on routes 17 and 18

Posted on November 16, 2011 by James McCollom

Last week, First Manchester introduced their first hybrid double deckers into service on routes 17/18 between Manchester, Middleton and Rochdale/Langley. They feature a revised livery of silver and pink which is in use on hybrid vehicles operated by First in … Continue reading →

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Autumn bus service changes 2011, part 2

Posted on November 7, 2011 by James McCollom

A little later than scheduled, part two looking at bus service changes taking place in Greater Manchester in November 2011. Up for consideration this time: tenders to replace emergency tenders in Rochdale; changes of operator in south Manchester; more frequency … Continue reading →

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