- Work has started on electrifying Oldham depot (First, soon to ‘bee’ Stagecoach). A total of 17 chargers for an EV fleet of 50 are being installed. Although First have insisted on using their own contractors funded by TfGM instead of TfGM/GMCA’s preferred contractor Wilmott Dixon – most recent achievement being the electrification of Bolton depot and works on Stockport Interchange. Roadworks to bring power lines in ironically closed Mumps outbound for a few days.
- The LDRS published an article on the BBC News website regarding the bus lane/gates on Oxford Road. According to an FoI reply, it raked in £10.2 million between April 2022 to September 2023! Most intrusions occur between Charles Street and Brancaster Road. That’ll pay for a few packets of biscuits!
- A lady rushed to hospital, 77 year old Mena Amica, has sadly passed away after a Diamond Citaro ploughed through a cafe window in Piccadilly Gardens around 1300 on October 16th, injuring 11 others. The driver was bailed on suspicion of dangerous driving.
- It was reported on 7th December with a statement littered with such joyus terms (“disuptive product portfolio”, “delivering innovative mobility solutions”, “environmentally conscious transportation”, “synergize”) that Belgian chap Guido Dumarey had bought Mellor owner Woodall Nicholson (the new, old name for WN vTech) out of administration, saving 450 jobs.
- Picks from the last GMCA meeting report pack on the 14th (Mayor B was present to open the meeting, joking he had a ‘promotion’ to the Chair):
- Not in the report, but it’s interesting to note the lack of representation from bus and rail operators at these new BNC meetings now. Does one worry about possible ire from operators in a public forum of their management of the networks?
- The first of 10 yellow-box cameras (a.k.a. ‘Moving Traffic Contravention sites’) became live in Longsight on 20th November. During the first six months a warning letter will be issued for a first offence.
- Bus network patronage in October: 14.9m. TfGM and WYCA jointly funding route 184 until March.
- A promising statement: “Franchised services are now regularly outperforming those on the non-franchised network. Performance of the franchised network is also better than it was at the same time last year, in particular, performance of the popular V1 service between Leigh and Manchester.”
- “Post launch, TfGM highways officers have worked with local authorities to manage the impact of roadwork activity in the T1 area, influencing traffic management and works duration.” “…following complaints that the 575 (Wigan to Bolton) service was being impacted by roadworks, TfGM worked with the local council to provide a dedicated bus lane, keeping passengers connected and services moving.” Good to see the piss-poor roadwork co-ordination (a.k.a. none) in GM and it’s impact on the bus network finally being dealt with – only after hitting TfGM in reliability/punctuality terms!
- Metrolink: Eccles line track renewal works complete – Eccles and Ladywell reopened along with 1am finishes on Fri/Sat, Piccadilly-MediaCity shuttles make a return. Cable thefts in Bury and Oldham-Rochdale impacted punctuality recently.
- TfGM working with Google using AI to improve traffic light timings! Unexpected development.
- Rail performance continuing to decline. Usual suspects blamed: severe weather and crew availability.
- The new and improved Bee Rozzer force (a.k.a. TravelSafe Support and Enforcement Officers) begin revenue duties “iminently”.
- Next meeting: 25th January
Posted inRamblings