First Manchester

[SF07]

RE: First Manchester
First have put up full PDF timetables for their services during the Christmas period for its services at Bolton, Bury and Queens Road depots (nothing for Oldham or Tameside depots). By looking at the timetables, it suggests that Bury depot will be closed on Boxing Day and services in the area split between Bolton and Manchester depots.

For Boxing Day, Bolton depot will run the 8, 36, 37, 68, 135, 163, 471 and 582 services, which may mean the possibility of Enviros being used on the 135, 163 or 471. Queens Road will run 17, 18, 26, 93, 98, 100 and Metroshuttle 1 & 2.

This should mean that Oldham depot will open on Boxing Day for the first time this year, as the 82 and 184 had previously operated from Queens Road. Oldham depot will run the 59, 81A, 83, 184 and 409. However, I'm not sure why First chose to use the 81A number instead of 81, as Traveline website previous had the 81A running to/from Waterhead on Boxing Day, now it's just Oldham-Manchester, like the 59, 83 and 184 will.

http://www.firstgroup.com/ukbus/greater_...941&conf=0

Speaking of the 81A, I do wonder whether First should re-program its destination displays, as I caught a bit of a discussion between a driver and two passengers about where the 81A goes (think they were trying to get to Holts) and they were a bit confused with the 81A having Oldham Holts Estate on the front and Oldham/Waterhead on the side. Also, the 81A does have 'via Moston, Chadderton' on the side, which, even though it is strictly true (south Chadderton), it may also catch a few people out hoping to go towards Middleton Road and Asda.