GM Buses North

[Polo Mint]

RE: GM Buses North
I think in Wigan Stagecoach may want to enhance services in Leigh where there is a lack of any dominant operator. I can't imagine them starting any services to Bolton which would most certainly start a bus war.

Stagecoach seem to be doing better on the 50 than First is on the 18 mind you.

The one to watch is Moston in my opinion, JPT and Bluebird (soon to be Stagecoach, unless Stagey have already taken over as I haven't seen a Bluebird bus for weeks they are all Stagecoach Plaxtons 'on loan') compete heavily there. First seem to be the odd one out with the 81 which is consistently late due to road works in Oldham, then the 88/89 with an aged fleet. Interesting to see whether they can all co-exist.

(09/12/2012 22:50)Bevan Price Wrote:  

(09/12/2012 19:16)Polo Mint Wrote:  Didn't GM North also have depots in Rochdale, Wigan, Dukinfield (or nearby maybe Hyde) and the Leigh area?

Rather than duplicate what is already on the web, you will find some of the answers here:

http://www.selnec.org.uk/gm_buses_split.htm


Rochdale & Tameside depots had closed before the split into North & South areas. Tameside (on the edge of Dukinfield) was very short lived, and had been built to replace the Ashton & SHMD (Stalybridge) municipal depots.

Personally, I think it would be better if we still had the original municipal operators. Lumping small units into one large organisation often seems to reduce efficiency and lead to higher operating costs. In my opinion, local managers are often better acquainted with local needs than some remote boss in SELNEC HQ, Aberdeen, Sunderland or Perth, etc.

Thanks, that is a great website.